# Surfing in Santa Teresa: breaks, seasons and surf schools

> Santa Teresa has surf almost every day of the year. Beginners should start at Playa Carmen or Playa Hermosa, intermediate surfers will find more punch at Playa Santa Teresa, and experienced surfers can look for the points and reefs at Suck Rock and in Mal País. The biggest swells usually come in the green season, roughly May to November.

Source: https://www.santa-teresa.com/surfing/
Last checked: 2026-10-20
Swell: Open to south and west swells, with surf most days of the year
Beginner beaches: Playa Carmen and Playa Hermosa
Intermediate: Playa Santa Teresa's beach breaks
Advanced: Suck Rock, Punta Barrigona, Sunset Reef and Hermosa point
Best tides: Many beach breaks get faster and hollower toward low tide
Water: Warm all year; most people surf in boardshorts or a swimsuit

## Why Santa Teresa works for surfing

The southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula sticks out into the Pacific, so the beaches here face west and pick up swell from the south and west almost all year. There isn't a single famous wave. Instead there's a long run of beach breaks, with points and reefs at either end, which means there's nearly always somewhere that suits the day and your level.

That's also why the town grew the way it did. Surfers came first, then the surf camps, then everyone else. Today the lineups are busier than they were 15 years ago, especially at the beginner beaches in high season, but there's still room if you're willing to walk a little and surf early.

## The breaks, from beginner to advanced

| Spot | Area | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Playa Carmen | Playa Carmen | Beach break over sandbars | Beginners, longboarders |
| Playa Hermosa | Playa Hermosa | Gentle beach break | Beginners, quieter sessions |
| Playa Santa Teresa | Santa Teresa | Beach breaks along the beach | Upper beginners to intermediate |
| Suck Rock | North Santa Teresa | Point break | Experienced surfers |
| Hermosa point | North end of Playa Hermosa | Right-hand point, high tide | Experienced surfers |
| Punta Barrigona | Mal País | Reef point | Advanced, needs a big swell |
| Sunset Reef | Mal País | Shallow reef left | Advanced, needs a good swell |

### For beginners
[Playa Carmen](/playa-carmen-costa-rica/) is where most surf schools teach. The sandbars make waves that are a little softer and slower, and the whitewater close to shore gives you plenty of room to practice popping up. [Playa Hermosa](/playa-hermosa/), north of town, is wider and usually less crowded, with a mellow beach break that's great for learners and families.

### For intermediate surfers
[Playa Santa Teresa](/playa-santa-teresa/) is the heart of it. Peaks shift along the beach with the sand, and the waves are usually bigger and punchier than at Playa Carmen. Toward low tide they can get fast and hollow. Walk up or down the beach to find a peak that isn't crowded.

### For experienced surfers
Suck Rock, at the northern end of Playa Santa Teresa, is a heavier point break that rewards good positioning. The point at the north end of Playa Hermosa works on bigger swells at high tide, when the rocks are hard to see. Down in [Mal País](/mal-pais/), Punta Barrigona and Sunset Reef break over rock and reef. They need a decent swell, and they're shallow and unforgiving. Don't paddle out at any of these without watching for a while first, and ideally ask a local.

## Seasons and conditions

- **Green season (about May to November):** The most consistent and biggest swells usually arrive in these months, especially from the south. It's the best time for experienced surfers, and the rain often falls in the afternoon, leaving clean mornings.
- **Dry season (about December to April):** Swells are generally smaller and more manageable, which suits beginners. It's also high season, so the beginner beaches are busier.
- **Wind:** Early mornings usually have the lightest wind and the cleanest surf. Plan to be in the water at first light.
- **Tides:** Tides here move a lot, and they change how every break works. Many beach breaks get faster toward low tide, while some points only work at higher tides. Check a tide chart every day.

## Surf schools and camps

Taking a few lessons is the fastest and safest way to start. Instructors know which beach and which tide suit beginners on a given day, and they'll teach you how to read currents.

- [The Girl & The Sea](/the-girl-and-the-sea-surf-school/) runs lessons and surf training from Playa Carmen.
- [Del Soul Surf School](/del-soul-surf-school/) teaches daily lessons from the north end of town.
- [Pura Vida Adventures](/pura-vida-adventures/) runs surf and yoga retreats, including women's camps.
- [Shaka Costa Rica](/shaka-beach-retreat/) in Playa Hermosa is an adult surf-and-yoga camp with daily lessons.

If you already surf, plenty of shops rent boards by the day or week. Staying close to the waves helps too: [Hotel Fermata](/hotel-fermata/) faces the La Lora break, and [House of Somos](/house-of-somos/) has a surf shop on site.

## Safety and etiquette

- **Currents:** Rip currents are common, especially on bigger days and around rocks and channels. Learn to spot them and, if caught, paddle parallel to the beach.
- **Rocks and reef:** Several breaks have rocks close by. Know where they are before you paddle out, and wear booties on reef if you need to.
- **Etiquette:** The surfer closest to the peak has priority. Don't drop in, don't ditch your board, and paddle wide around people riding waves. Locals are generally welcoming to people who show respect.
- **Sun:** The tropical sun is strong. Use a rash guard and reef-safe sunscreen, and surf early or late.
- **Valuables:** Don't leave keys, phones or wallets on the beach or visible in a car.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Santa Teresa good for beginner surfers?
Yes. Playa Carmen and Playa Hermosa are both good places to learn, and there are many surf schools. Playa Santa Teresa itself can be too strong for first-timers on bigger days.

### When is the best time to surf in Santa Teresa?
There's surf all year. The green season, roughly May to November, usually brings the biggest and most consistent swells, while the dry season months have smaller waves that suit beginners.

### Do I need a wetsuit?
Most people don't. The water is warm year-round. A rash guard or thin top helps with sun and board rash.

### Where can experienced surfers go?
Look at Suck Rock in north Santa Teresa, the point at Playa Hermosa, and the reef breaks in Mal País such as Punta Barrigona. They need more swell and carry more risk, so watch first and ask locally.