Essentials Stay
Everyone welcome
Our favourite week, stripped back to the good stuff.
Next trip
14–20 February 2027
6 nights · From $2,095 per person · Santa Teresa
Click to bookCapped at 10 guests · kept small so it stays personal
Six nights at The Baya House with four coached surf lessons, an ATV day keeping the ATV for 24 hours, two beachfront movement classes, a video analysis session, daily breakfast and airport transfers. Evenings stay free to explore town.
Six nights, one small crew, and the parts of a surf week we'd never cut. You get four coached surf sessions with guides who grew up reading this coast, a full ATV day into the hills, two beachfront movement classes with Sarah, breakfast every morning, and one video analysis session to fast-track your surfing.
Your days stay full — surf, adventure, movement, and time by the pool — but the evenings are open, so you can follow the group to a local spot for sunset, find your own favourite restaurant, or take a cold drink somewhere beautiful and do nothing at all.
It's the trip for people who want the surf and the adventure without a schedule running their week. Groups are capped at ten. All levels welcome.
Who's in the group
Everyone welcome
Essentials weeks are mixed groups. Solo travellers, couples, friends, all genders — everyone shares the same table, the same lineup and the same jungle roads. Most people arrive on their own and leave with a group chat.
- Everyone welcome
- Solo travellers, couples & friends
- Every surf level welcome
- Local crew alongside all week
Highlights
What the week is made of
Four coached surf sessions
Four sessions across the week, small groups split by level, always at whichever beach is working best that morning.
Breakfast every morning
Costa Rican breakfast on the table before you paddle out, and cold fruit and pipas waiting when you come in.
One proper ATV adventure
A full day into the hills — waterfalls, hidden beaches, lunch on us, and the ATV yours for 24 hours. It's the big off-beach mission of the week.
Two beachfront movement classes
Two classes with Sarah on the sand, to loosen off the shoulders after a few days of paddling.
One video analysis session
We film you in the water, then sit down together and watch it back. The fastest way to see what your body is actually doing.
Evenings to explore
With breakfast and the day's adventures covered, your nights are open — sunset drinks with the crew, a local spot in town, or a quiet cold drink somewhere beautiful.
We move with the rhythm of the tides and the swell, so no two days run the same way. This is the shape of it.
What to expect
A typical day
First light
Coffee and howler monkeys
The jungle wakes you before any alarm does. Costa Rican breakfast on the table and a slow look at what the ocean is doing today.
Morning
Into the water (four mornings of the week)
On surf days, boards in the truck and a short drive to whichever beach is working, then a couple of hours of coaching with your group. On the others, the ocean is still there — just without us calling the waves.
After the surf
Fruit, pipas, salt everywhere
Everyone comes in buzzing and starving. Cold coconut, fresh fruit, and the usual argument about who got the wave of the morning.
Midday
Pool, town, tide pools
Sleep it off by the pool, wander the shops, find the tide pools, or take the afternoon in a neighbouring town.
One full day
ATVs into the hills
The big one. Waterfalls, hidden beaches, dust everywhere, and lunch on us. No surf that morning — you'll be too busy.
Golden hour
Sand, football, or a free surf
Volleyball and football on the beach, a paddle back out while the light goes orange, or one of the week's two movement classes with Sarah on the sand.
Evening
Free time to eat and wander
With the day's surf and adventure done, the night is yours. Follow your nose to a local spot, join the group for sunset, or take a book and a cold drink somewhere beautiful.
How a surf day runs
Loose, on purpose
We run with the tides, the swell and the weather — the schedule bends so you get the best of the day. Exact timings are set each morning around the ocean, so this is a shape, not a timetable.
- Early morningCoffee and fruit at the hotel while we check the swell
- Surf lessonTimed to the best tide of the day — could be sunrise, could be midday
- Late morningA big Costa Rican breakfast together after the water
- MiddayYours — pool, tidepools, a nap, or a wander into town
- AfternoonA beachfront movement class, video analysis, or the ATV waterfalls tour on its day
- SunsetThe whole beach slows down. We usually do too
- EveningFree to explore town your way — we'll point you to our favourite spots
Some days the tide flips this whole list around — that's the point.
What's included
Everything in the price
Exactly what's included on the 14–20 February 2027 week — 6 nights in Santa Teresa. Every week is a little different, so switch dates above to see that trip's inclusions.
Accommodation
- 6 nights at The Baya House, a boutique stay tucked into the jungle with a pool and a two-minute barefoot walk to the sand
Surf
- 4 coached surf lessons with The Beach Boys, in the water where it's working best that day
- A video analysis session so you can finally see what your surfing looks like
Adventure
- A full ATV day into the hills to waterfalls and hidden beaches, lunch on us, and the ATV yours for 24 hours
Food
- Breakfast every morning before you paddle out
Movement
- Two beachfront movement classes led by Sarah, to loosen everything the ocean tightened
Extras
- Airport transfers from the local airport at two set times
- Transport to every included activity
- Personalised recommendations and concierge support all week
Not included
- Flights to and from Costa Rica
- Transport around Santa Teresa (except for included excursions)
- Dinner — evenings are kept free to explore town your way
- Lunch (except on the ATV adventure day)
- Travel and surf insurance
Where you stay
The Baya House
A boutique jungle hotel just across the road from the surf. Studios and apartments tucked around a shared pool, wrapped in tropical greenery, a short barefoot walk to the beach.
Air-conditioned rooms, organic bedding, rainfall showers, and quiet corners to nap between sessions.
See the roomsRooms & ways to stay
Private, shared, or bring your crew
Five ways to stay at The Baya House, from a studio to yourself to a triple-share apartment with friends. Per-person pricing depends on how you share and the week you pick — message us with your dates and we'll send exact rates.
Studio — private
Solo, or book it for two
Second-level studio overlooking the pool, all to yourselves. One double and one twin bed, private bathroom, mini fridge and coffee maker.
Studio — twin-share
Shared with one other guest
The same pool-view studio, shared. Bring a friend or we'll match you with a roommate — separate beds, shared patio, same week.
1-bedroom apartment — private
Solo, or book it for two
Your own apartment with a private balcony, living area and rainfall shower. The most space you can keep to yourself.
2-bedroom apartment — private
Up to 4 people
Papaya, all to your crew: two bedrooms, a full kitchen, living area and a private patio steps from the pool.
2-bedroom apartment — shared
3 people, triple share
The best-value way in. Three guests share Papaya — book with friends or we'll match you. Full kitchen and poolside patio included.
Not sure which fits?
Tell us who's coming — solo, with a partner, or a group — and we'll suggest the room setup that makes the most sense for your week.
Ask about roomsPricing by room
Share it or keep it to yourself
Every price covers the whole 6-night stay — surf, food, adventures and all. The only thing that changes is where you sleep.
- Shared StudioBased on 2-person occupancy$2,095 pp
- Shared 2-Bedroom ApartmentBased on 3-person occupancy$2,295 pp
- Private StudioSolo occupancy$2,495 pp
- Private 1-Bedroom ApartmentAvailable for 1–2 guests · Price varies by occupancyFrom $2,495 pp
- Private 2-Bedroom ApartmentAvailable for 2–4 guests · Price varies by occupancyFrom $2,495 pp
Prices shown are for 14–20 February 2027. Pick a different week above and this list updates.
"What truly made this retreat special was the community. This wasn't your typical surf retreat or place to stay. It brought together an amazing group of women who started as strangers but left feeling like family. There was such a genuine sense of connection, support, and laughter throughout the week."
Chloe
@chloe_wilson3How to book
All bookings happen on WhatsApp
There's no checkout button here on purpose. Every essentials stay is booked directly with us over WhatsApp, so you're talking to a real person from the first message.
- 1
Message us on WhatsApp
Send a note with the trip you want, your rough dates, and who's travelling with you. You're talking to the actual hosts from the first message.
- 2
We confirm your room
We'll tell you what's open at The Baya House, answer every question, and hold your spot for 48 hours while you decide.
- 3
50% deposit locks it in
Half reserves your place. The balance is due 30 days before the trip. All prices are per person in USD, and payment plans are available on request.
- 4
We plan the details together
Flights, ferries, transfers, packing, what to expect — we send you the pre-trip guide and keep planning in the same chat until you land.
We only run a handful of trips a year and keep every group small so it stays personal and fun. Rooms go to whoever messages first.
Rather email?
Send us an enquiry
Tell us the week you're eyeing and how you like to travel. We'll come back with what's open, what it costs, and anything else you want to know.
Payment & peace of mind
No surprises, ever
Exactly how booking works, what your money does, and what happens if life gets in the way.
50% deposit to reserve
Your deposit confirms your room and your spot on the trip. The remaining balance is due 30 days before the start date.
All prices per person, in USD
Every price you see covers one person for the whole trip. Payment plans are available on request — just ask us on WhatsApp and we'll set one up.
If the ocean doesn't cooperate
Surf and weather decide the order of our days, not whether they happen. If conditions shift, we move sessions and activities around — nothing is cancelled, the week just reshuffles.
Travel & surf insurance
Required for all guests. Make sure your policy covers surfing — we'll ask for the details before the trip starts.
You're talking to real people
Isaac, Sarah and Marylou run every trip themselves. The person answering your messages is the person meeting you at the beach.
Cancellation policy
Deposits are non-refundable
We're a small, locally run business and every booking holds a real room and a real place in a tiny group, so deposits can't be refunded.
Cancellations within 30 days
Cancellations made within 30 days of the trip start date are non-refundable, as accommodation, coaching and activities are already locked in for you.
Transfers are welcome
Can't make it? Your booking can be transferred to another guest, subject to our approval — message us and we'll sort it together.
Good to know
Essentials Stay questions
Want in?
Message us on WhatsApp with your rough travel dates and we'll take it from there.