Surf spot

Santa Teresa

Forecast conditions and map view for Santa Teresa in Costa Rica, Guanacaste. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: Costa Rica, Guanacaste
Coordinates: 9.6372, -85.1682

Metric
Metric	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00
Wave height (m)	0.9	1.2	1.2	1.1	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7
Wave direction	SSW	SW	SW	SW	WSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	S	S	S	S	S	SSW	SSW	S	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	SSW	SSW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW
Wave period (s)	7	9.2	9.3	9.5	10.1	7.3	7.3	7.3	7.5	7.3	7.2	7.2	7.2	7.3	7.3	7.3	7	6.9	7	6.9	7	7.1	7.1	7	7.1	7	7	7	6.9	6.8	6.8	6.8	6.7	7.1	7.4	12.9	12.8	12.7	12.5	12.5	12.2	11.9	11.7	11.5	11.3	11.3	11.2	11.1	11	10.9	10.8	10.8	10.7	10.6	10.5	10.5
Wave energy (kJ)	88	236	230	226	180	73	74	75	76	78	76	77	77	72	72	72	76	74	78	77	83	89	93	92	97	103	98	101	99	90	89	84	79	82	85	260	265	261	253	253	252	250	252	244	228	216	203	191	179	176	165	155	138	129	121	114
Wind speed (km/h)	9.4	6.5	4.8	2.8	14.5	12.6	7.1	2.5	2.2	7.1	5.3	2.6	10.6	13.5	4.7	1.9	5.8	5.8	5.9	4.1	13.9	5.6	3.9	4.1	3.3	5.5	6.6	4	13.7	11.5	6.3	2.5	0.5	5.6	5.6	4.3	12.1	13.2	9.5	3.3	6.8	4.5	5.4	4.5	12.7	15	9.4	2	3.9	1.5	4	1.3	11.5	15.6	9	6.4
Wind direction	NEOffshore	NEOffshore	NNEGlassy	SWGlassy	SWOnshore	SWOnshore	SWOnshore	SEGlassy	EGlassy	NEOffshore	NNEOffshore	WSWGlassy	SWOnshore	SWOnshore	WGlassy	NNWGlassy	NNEOffshore	NNEOffshore	NEOffshore	NWGlassy	SSWOnshore	SSWCross-on	SSEGlassy	NEGlassy	NNEGlassy	NCross-off	NEOffshore	EGlassy	SSECross-on	SCross-on	SSWCross-on	NEGlassy	NEGlassy	NNWCross-off	ENEOffshore	EGlassy	SSECross	SCross-on	SCross-on	NEGlassy	NNEOffshore	NNEGlassy	NEOffshore	ESEGlassy	SCross-on	SCross-on	SSWOnshore	SWGlassy	SEGlassy	NEGlassy	NGlassy	SWGlassy	SWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WCross-on	WSWOnshore

Santa Teresa is a well-known surf town on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, famous for its long sandy beach breaks, warm water, and laid-back jungle vibe.

A few notes on the location: Santa Teresa is actually on the Nicoya Peninsula in Puntarenas Province, not Guanacaste. It’s often grouped with Costa Rica’s northwest surf region, which may be why it gets associated with Guanacaste.

Surf conditions

Wave type: Mostly beach breaks with some nearby reef and point options
Consistency: Very consistent year-round, with bigger, cleaner surf during the rainy season and southwest swell season
Best for: Beginners to advanced surfers, depending on the spot and swell size
Water temp: Warm tropical water, so boardshorts or a swimsuit are usually enough
Crowds: Can be busy, especially in peak travel seasons and at the most accessible breaks

What it’s like

Santa Teresa has a mix of powerful waves and mellow sections, making it a great place for both learning and progression. The beach is long and scenic, backed by jungle, palm trees, and a growing surf-town scene. The town itself is relaxed but lively, with surf schools, yoga studios, cafes, and a strong expat presence.

Best time to surf

Dry season: December to April — smaller, cleaner conditions, offshore winds, and more reliable sunshine
Green/rainy season: May to November — bigger swells and often better surf, though with more rain and humidity

General vibe

Santa Teresa is one of Costa Rica’s iconic surf destinations: dusty roads, sunset sessions, great food, and a strong surf culture. It’s ideal if you want a mix of good waves and a beach-town atmosphere.