Santa Teresa is a surf town on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula: one dirt-and-patchwork road, jungle on one side, ocean on the other, and a rhythm set almost entirely by the tide. Here is what it is actually like to be here.
The beaches, north to south
Playa Hermosa
The northern stretch. Incredible surf, family oriented, fewer cafes and restaurants, but a growing area with great food, a strong local community, and waves that work for a range of levels.
Playa Santa Teresa
Cafés, restaurants and movement studios along the main road, with beachbreak peaks that change with the swell and tide.
Playa Carmen
The beach at the southern entrance to town. Ask a local coach which waves suit your ability that day.
Mal País
Home of the tide pools, the fishing market, secluded beaches, and reefs for surfers who know what they are doing.
When to come
December to April is generally the drier part of the year. The wetter months bring a greener landscape. Weather and surf vary, so check the forecast and current conditions rather than choosing a month as a guarantee.
Think about the experience you want, your travel dates and your surf ability. A bigger swell is not automatically a better session for you.
Eating your way through town
There is a genuinely absurd amount of good food for a town this size — open-air sodas serving casado plates, ceviche counters, wood-fired pizza, and beach clubs that hand you a plate of fresh fish as the sun drops.
A few places we send people: La Choza for solid local plates, Zula for casual Middle Eastern food, Chicken Joe's for a casual feed after a surf (Peruvian chicken), and Sargo for dinner when you are wanting seafood. For breakfast after yoga, Horizon does a good spread and is a calm way to start the day.
Our full list of where we actually eat, drink and go on days off lives in the guide book we share with our Surf & Stay guests.
A taste of what to do
Beyond surfing, the good stuff is low-key and close. Wander the Mal País tide pools at low tide, take an ATV run to waterfalls and hidden beaches, watch the sunset from somewhere up high, or just do very little by the pool with a coconut in hand.
We keep the full map of our favourite spots — restaurants, cafés, sunset bars, tide pools, and day-trip routes — in the private guide book for our guests.
How the day goes
Howler monkeys start before the sun. People surf early, eat, sleep through the hottest part of the afternoon, then everybody drifts back to the beach for sunset — barefoot, boards under arms, someone always playing football on the sand.
Sunset here is genuinely a town-wide event. Nobody schedules anything over it.
Practical things nobody tells you
The road
Mostly paved now, with some unpaved sections, and still dusty. ATVs, scooters, motorbikes, and cars are all common ways to get around.
Cash and cards
Most places take cards, but carry change for fruit stands and smaller sodas.
Rip currents
Check local warnings and conditions. Do not swim alone, and ask a local instructor before surfing an unfamiliar break.
Sun
You are nine degrees off the equator. Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and a rash guard are not optional.
Frequently asked
Is Santa Teresa good for beginners?
Beginners can learn here with local coaching and suitable conditions. Beachbreaks can still have strong currents and powerful waves, so the coach selects the session for your level.
What is the best month to visit Santa Teresa?
It depends on your plans. December to April is generally drier; wetter months bring greener scenery. Ask about current conditions and choose surf sessions for your ability.
How many days do you need in Santa Teresa?
Five to seven. Enough to surf several times, adjust to the pace, and see the waterfalls, tide pools and neighbouring towns without rushing.
Come surf with us in Santa Teresa.
Small groups, local coaches, and Surf & Stay weeks at The Baya House.
