The field guides
Know before
you go.
262 honest guides to getting here, finding your break, choosing a town and living well on the Nicoya Peninsula.
A useful first read
Start here: editor's picks
A few clear starting points before you get into the full field guide.
Digital NomadsBest Coworking Spaces in Santa Teresa
Internet speeds, desk setups, community vibes, and pricing, the coworking spaces that actually support real work.
Where to StayBest Hotels in Santa Teresa for Every Budget
22 Santa Teresa hotels ranked across budget, mid-range and luxury, with 2026 nightly rates, beach access, pools, breakfast and one honest caveat each.
Food & DrinkBest Restaurants in Santa Teresa
The Santa Teresa restaurants actually worth eating at, from $6 casados to $50 omakase, ranked by what's good, not who paid for the most ads.
12 guides shown
Surf
The Rocamar Magic Hat Classic
The Rocamar Magic Hat Classic in Santa Teresa: the costume surf fundraiser, verified 2026 edition, watching, participation and how to check the next event.
Read · 3 min →Surf
Surf Competitions Near Santa Teresa
Find surf competitions near Santa Teresa: federation calendars, the Magic Hat fundraiser, spectator planning and the distinction between nearby Playa Hermosas.
Read · 3 min →
SurfBest Surf Schools in Santa Teresa: Group $60 to $85, Private $90 to $115 Compared
Surf schools in Santa Teresa, Playa Hermosa and Mal Pais compared on 2026 group and private prices, lesson length, instructor ratio, beach, gear included, kids and multi-day packages.
Read · 9 min →
SurfBest Surf Shops in Santa Teresa: Kina, Denga, Somos, Nalu and Where to Buy a Board
The surf shops of Santa Teresa and Mal Pais compared for buying a board, wax, leashes, fins and wetsuit tops in 2026: Kina, Denga, Somos, Nalu, DELMAR, La Oficina del Surf, Jaguar, El Mango and the rest, with brands, price bands and when to rent instead.
Read · 8 min →
SurfSurf Camps in Santa Teresa and Mal Pais: Lapoint, Mal Pais Surf Camp and the Rest Compared
Every surf camp and weekly surf package in Santa Teresa and Mal Pais with 2026 prices, what is included, where each one sits on the coast, and whether a camp beats booking lessons and a hostel yourself.
Read · 9 min →
SurfAdvanced Surf Spots: Suck Rock, Sunset Reef, and Barrigona
The breaks that bite back, what you need to know before paddling out at Santa Teresa's expert-level reef and point breaks.
Read · 7 min →
SurfLearning to Surf in Santa Teresa: Schools, Spots, and What to Expect
Best beginner breaks, what a lesson costs, group vs private, board rental prices, and the safety stuff nobody tells you, from people who surf here.
Read · 7 min →
SurfSanta Teresa Surf Season Guide: Month-by-Month
What the swell does in January vs July, when the wind cooperates, and the honest truth about rainy season surfing in Santa Teresa.
Read · 7 min →
SurfSurf Board Rental and Repair in Santa Teresa
Where to rent boards by the day or week, ding repair shops, and what to look for when the quiver options are limited.
Read · 7 min →
SurfSurf Photography in Santa Teresa: Where and Who
Local surf photographers, the best vantage points, and how to get shots of yourself without looking like a tourist.
Read · 7 min →
SurfTide Guide for Santa Teresa Surfers
How tides affect each break differently, when to check the charts, and why the same spot can be perfect at low tide and unsurfable at high.
Read · 7 min →
SurfSurfing Santa Teresa: The Complete Break Guide
Every break in Santa Teresa and Malpais by skill level, Playa Hermosa, Suck Rock, Mar Azul, La Lora Reef, Playa Carmen, with honest notes on seasons, tides, etiquette, and where to rent.
Read · 8 min →