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People on rocks beside breaking waves at sunset in Santa Teresa.

Costa Rica · Nosara & Santa Teresa

Surf and wellness

Breaks, schools and yoga studios in Nosara and Santa Teresa.

7 places

  1. Guiones Beach1

    Photo: VanTucky, CC BY-SA 3.0

    BeachOpen

    Guiones Beach

    Nosara, inside the Ostional Wildlife Refuge31.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not needed

    Nosara’s long beach with consistent waves all year, many surf schools and low-key development behind the protected strip.

    Source: SINAC – Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Ostional · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Booking
    Not required (public beach); surf lessons are booked separately.

    Tip: It is mainly a surf beach, with 2–6 ft waves and rip currents. For swimming, ask locals.

    Nearby: Surf schools in Nosara (1.9 km) · Yoga in Nosara and Santa Teresa (1.9 km) · Playa Pelada (3.3 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Ostional · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Nosara trip planning · Wikivoyage – Nosara

  2. 2

    AdventureOpen

    Surf schools in Nosara

    Playa Guiones, Nosara32.8 km from the centre

    Entry
    From about $90
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Surf lessons at Playa Guiones with certified instructors and board rentals. Waves arrive all year.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Nosara trip planning · 2025 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    From about $90 plus VAT per lesson (September 2025); board rental from about $10 a day.

    Tip: In the dry season waves are smaller and better for learning; bigger swells arrive from April to October.

    Nearby: Yoga in Nosara and Santa Teresa (0.1 km) · Playa Pelada (1.6 km) · Horseback ride in Nosara (1.6 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Nosara trip planning · Wikivoyage – Nosara

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  3. 3

    BeachOpen

    Santa Teresa

    Santa Teresa, Cóbano (Puntarenas)30.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not needed

    A long surf beach with several breaks and a tide pool where you can swim and snorkel.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Santa Teresa · 2025 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Booking
    Not required (public beach).

    Tip: Swimming is not recommended because of rip currents. Boards rent from about $10 per 24 hours (Wikivoyage).

    Nearby: Surf schools in Santa Teresa (0.7 km) · ATVs in Santa Teresa and Mal País (1.1 km) · Playa Carmen (2.9 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Santa Teresa · Wikivoyage – Santa Teresa (Costa Rica) · Surf Atlas – Surfing Santa Teresa

  4. 4

    AdventureOpen

    Surf schools in Santa Teresa

    Santa Teresa, Playa Hermosa and Playa Carmen31.6 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Schools and hotels offer lessons at Playa Hermosa, the friendliest break for beginners, and at Playa Carmen.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Santa Teresa · 2025 · +2

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Ask the school about the best tide: it varies a lot between breaks.

    Nearby: ATVs in Santa Teresa and Mal País (0.4 km) · Santa Teresa (0.7 km) · Playa Carmen (2.3 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Santa Teresa · Wikivoyage – Santa Teresa (Costa Rica) · Surf Atlas – Surfing Santa Teresa

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  5. Playa Hermosa (Santa Teresa)5

    BeachOpen

    Playa Hermosa (Santa Teresa)

    North of Santa Teresa27.5 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A long, more remote beach north of Santa Teresa, with palm trees and driftwood, and gentler waves that suit learning to surf.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Santa Teresa · 2025 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Although the waves are gentler, currents can be strong.

    Nearby: Santa Teresa (3.5 km) · Surf schools in Santa Teresa (4.1 km) · ATVs in Santa Teresa and Mal País (4.5 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Santa Teresa · Surf Atlas – Surfing Santa Teresa

  6. 6

    BeachOpen

    Playa Carmen

    El Cruce, between Santa Teresa and Mal País33.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    The main beach at the junction of Mal País and Santa Teresa, with a break for intermediate surfers and the gathering spot for sunset.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Santa Teresa · 2025

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: People gather to watch the sunset between 17:00 and 18:00.

    Nearby: Mal País tide pools (0.9 km) · ATVs in Santa Teresa and Mal País (1.9 km) · Surf schools in Santa Teresa (2.3 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Santa Teresa

  7. 7

    WellnessOpen

    Yoga in Nosara and Santa Teresa

    Guiones (Nosara) and Santa Teresa32.8 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Both towns have many studios and hotels with drop-in classes, retreats and sunset yoga.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Nosara trip planning · 2025 · +2

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Most drop-in classes are paid at the studio; retreats are booked in advance.

    Nearby: Surf schools in Nosara (0.1 km) · Playa Pelada (1.5 km) · Horseback ride in Nosara (1.5 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Nosara trip planning · Wikivoyage – Nosara · Wikivoyage – Santa Teresa (Costa Rica)

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