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Perfect peeling waves, bath-warm water, beautiful beaches and tropical wildlife… What more could you ask for on this surfing holiday of a lifetime? This trip is suitable for beginners, Progressors + Intermediate surfers, Costa Rica has waves for everyone.
Discover the heart and soul of Costa Rica and its “pura vida” (pure life) vibes. This tropical paradise has everything you’d want for the ultimate surf trip – consistent waves, beautiful beaches and guaranteed sunshine.
We head to Santa Teresa – voted as having one of the world’s top ten beaches by Forbes magazine. Think pure white sand, dramatic sunsets, crystal-clear waters and bathwater-warm sea temperatures. You’re about to surf the best waves of your life!
Our destination is on the tip of the remote Nicoya Peninsula. It’s long been a well-kept secret due to its tricky access, and it retains a mellow feel and is a surfers paradise. The landscape here will blow your mind.
The consistent beach breaks and quality point breaks in the area offer fun waves for surfers of all abilities. Playa Carmen and Santa Teresa have waves for everyone. When your arms need a break, kick back amidst the great food, jungle-backed coastline and kaleidoscopic sunsets.
During the trip, you’ll meet like-minded women at different stages of their surf journey. From new surfers who want to catch their first wave, to Green Wave Riders who want to break out of their comfort zone and share the surf stoke with other women in a fun and friendly environment.
PRE-TRIP
AIRPORT ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE MEETINGS AND TRANSFERS
Please see our Travel tab for more information on the flight and journey.
ACCOMMODATION
FOOD
COACHING
SURF SKILLS WORKSHOPS
PHOTO & VIDEO ANALYSIS
OTHER ACTIVITIES
What a usual day looks like:
We want to maximise your time in the water. We’ll get up early, watch the sunrise and surf at dawn each day for around two hours. We’ll take a break before jumping back in the water.
Then it’s time for breakfast, sleep and a chill before meeting for lunch and a photo and video analysis session.
You’ll have the rest of the day to relax, explore or jump on an optional excursion. Then it’s back to the beach for another surf and to watch an incredible sunset with a few drinks.
Back at our accommodation, we’ll have dinner before going to bed early – ready to do it all over again the next day!
Day 1
Arrive at Tambor Airport where you’ll meet Women + Waves trip host Rohan! You’ll then be whisked away to Santa Teresa where we can put our bags down and relax before the week of surfing! Today is a chill day, we’ll first have a meeting over some fresh smoothies to set our surf goals for the week using our bespoke Women + Waves log books.
We’ll then head down to the beach for a sunset swim and enjoy some drinks watching the sunset. Tonight’s evening meal is at the local hangout ‘Eat Street’’, a cool food court to suit everyone’s tastebuds.
Day 2
It’s time for your first surf lesson of the trip! You’ll meet Nacho and our Costa Rican coaching team and be allocated your equipment.
Each day based on the conditions, your instructor will decide where the best waves are suited to your ability, we’ve got a variety of options up and down the coast!
Generally, on surf days we’ll be up at dawn and be ready to hit the water for the first light. This is when you make the most of the clean waves and empty peaks.
Then we’ll jump straight into the ocean for your first surf session with the lovely Nacho and the team. Surf lessons are 90 minutes long with the option to free surf after the session depending on the tides.
After we’re out we’ll fuel up with breakfast at one of Santa Teresa’s coolest spots, the Zwartz Art Cafe.
After breakfast, we’ll then head back to our accommodation, where we’ll go over our first video analysis session followed by pool hangs where we’ll deliver our first surf workshop in the pool on paddle techniques, turtle rolls and duck dives.
You’ll then have plenty of free time to relax, go down to the beach and enjoy some rays!
We’ll then head down to the beach for a sunset swim and enjoy some beers watching the sunset and head to the local Italian restaurant – Tomate, serving the most delicious pizzas and cocktails.
Day 3
Today you’ll hop into the ocean and put everything into practice. It is the day to practice everything that you have learnt from the day before!
We’ll video the second half of the session, which we’ll watch and analyse after breakfast at a local restaurant.
We’ll then have our confidence-building workshop to set you up for the rest of the trip.
We’ll then have a lovely afternoon yoga class to stretch out your muscles and prepare you for the week ahead.
We’ll then head to our fave beach bar – Banana Beach from 3 pm to enjoy some drinks, a killer sunset and have some dinner!
Day 4
Today you’ll have another surf lesson with Nacho and his team followed by a free surf.
We’ll have breakfast at one of the most popular spots in Santa Teresa – The Bakery
Followed by video analysis and our Surfboard surf workshop – understanding which board is best for you by tail types, fin selections and dimensions.
Then the rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy, relax by the pool or go shopping in the local town.
This evening’s dinner is just up the road at The Burger Rancho! The freshest-made burgers to suit everyone! You’ll love this one!
Day 5
Today is another free surf day to put everything you’ve learnt into practice. You’ll be with Rohan the whole way where she’ll be guiding you in the water and taking videos of your session. Like all our surfs, they are completely optional – if you’re feeling tired and would rather hang underneath the palm trees that is absolutely fine.
In the afternoon there is an optional Sunset Stand Up Paddleboard lesson and tour. Nacho and his team will guide you around the beautiful shores of Santa Teresa followed by a fresh coconut break to watch the sun go down! It’s an incredibly memorable experience.
On the way back you’ll head to Nacho’s favourite hangout spot which is a lush Pizza joint local to Malpais.
Day 6
This is your last surf lesson with Nacho + his team! We’ll be taking videos for our video analysis after breakfast at the beautiful Anis Bowls – expect fresh smoothie bowls and great coffee!
In the afternoon you have the option to hike to the famous Montezuma Waterfall where you’ll be able to refresh and go for a swim in the natural waterfall pool.
We’ll grab a quick bite to eat at Eat Street and head home for some well-earnt sleep!
Day 7
This morning we’ll get up and go for a free surf – this is just a fun surf with no video analysis!
We’ll have a sit-down and ensure we’ve covered everything and set you some future goals for you to go away and practice.
This afternoon is the time to enjoy one of the yoga classes to relax those muscles and feel refreshed before going home.
You’ll then have some time to pack up back at the lodge before this evening’s dinner which is at the local beach bar!
Day 8
Wake up, stretch and head to the beach for a last sunrise swim!
We’ll grab some breakfast and take the 40-minute drive to Tambor airport where the trip will end.
Hidden amidst palm trees, our surf-friendly accommodation consists of a guest house and bungalows, a short stroll from the Pacific Ocean.
Cool off with a dip in the pool or relax in a hammock. Need to unwind? There are also plenty of wellness options, including a yoga area and a garden spa that offers a range of treatments including massages.
We have 4 accommodation options to suit your budget
Option 1 – Private Bungalow (sleeps 1) – BE QUICK THERE IS ONLY 1 OF THESE AVAILABLE)
Option 2 – Twin share Bungalow (sleeps 2)
Option 3 – Triple Bungalow (Sleeps 3)
Option 4 – Quad Bungalow – (Sleeps 4)
BUNGALOWS
LARGE BUNGALOW
Please see our ‘Prices’ tab for a list of accommodation prices.
Lodge facilities:
Whatever your level of surfing, we’ve got you covered.
If you’re a complete beginner, learning to surf in a warm climate will make the start of your surf journey fun, hassle-free and an unforgettable experience.
If you’ve become a bit stuck with your progress, Costa Rica is an ideal destination to work on your technique. The lack of crowds in Santa Teresa during our early morning surf sessions means you can build your confidence without feeling self-conscious or worrying about getting in other people’s way.
We split everyone into groups according to ability, so you won’t feel left behind or be too advanced for your group. Our expert, friendly coaches are on hand to guide you every step of the way. They’ll be in the water with you to give you handy coaching tips. We’ll be working on a maximum ratio of 3 pupils to 1 instructor so you can ensure a lot of attention during your surf lessons.
Each group – whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or a seasoned pro – will benefit from photo and video analysis. It’s the best way to improve and gives you a move-by-move breakdown of your surfing. Plus, you get to take the footage and photos home with you – it’s both a great memento and a valuable coaching tool.
The surf up and down this coast is perfect for all abilities. From mellow waves to points and faster waves, there’s something for everyone.
WHAT A TYPICAL DAY LOOKS LIKE
We want to maximise your time in the water. We’ll get up early, watch the sunrise and surf at dawn most days for around two hours. We’ll take a break before jumping back in the water.
Then it’s time for breakfast, sleep and a chill before meeting for lunch and a photo and video analysis session.
You’ll have the rest of the day to relax, stretch out with one of the included yoga classes, explore or jump on an optional excursion. Then it’s back to the beach for another surf and to watch an incredible sunset with a few drinks.
Back at our accommodation, we’ll have dinner before going to bed early – ready to do it all over again the next day!
PHOTO AND VIDEO ANALYSIS
Seeing yourself surf is a fantastic way to improve…fast.
Our professional photography team will create an awesome package of images and video footage for you to keep. Shot in water and from land. It’s not only an invaluable coaching tool to help improve your surfing, it’s also a great memento of your trip.
£2600 – Quad shared room
£2700 – Triple shared room
£2800 – Twin shared room
£2900 – Private room
We can’t guarantee your place until we have received a payment from you.
Once you have made a payment, you’ll then be sent a trip confirmation email with all details.
One month before the trip you’ll receive a PDF with all further details.
AREA
Costa Rica’s surf scene is epic – but there’s plenty more on offer.
THINGS TO DO
Hike to jungle waterfalls, whizz through the rainforest canopy on a zip wire, or go horse riding. This protected and remote area of the country is home to an abundance of wildlife, including monkeys, anteaters, jaguars, iguanas, turtles and parrots.
You can also check out the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, just a few miles from camp. It’s Costa Rica’s first protected area and has hundreds of different bird species.
Back at the beach, relax and recharge between surf sessions by snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters or swinging in a hammock with a good book. As well as being an active holiday, there’s plenty of downtime so you can rest and focus on your wellness. Want to get zen? Stretch your surfing muscles with a beach yoga session.
WAVES
Each day we’ll get up early and track down the best surf spots along this tropical, palm-fringed coastline. With low crowds, high swell consistency, offshore winds and a variety of surf spots, we’ll have loads of surf options around Santa Teresa and south to Playa Carmen.
Our responsible, qualified and friendly team of surf instructors make it their mission to find the best waves for all abilities. If you’ve never surfed before, you’ll love the mellow beach breaks – perfect for riding your first waves.
For more seasoned pros, there’s a huge variety of waves to really advance your surfing. But there’s no pressure and we’ll never push you further than you want to go. We go at your pace. Our local guides will ensure we are in the right spot for the best waves for you!
CLIMATE
We visit Costa Rica during the dry season. Santa Teresa has one of the driest climates in the country.
Unlike some tropical destinations, local micro systems don’t affect the weather. It’s very predictable, with the constant sun, high temperatures and a guarantee of no rain.
Average air and sea temperatures hover around 28°C. You’ll need bikinis, boardshorts, rash vests and sun cream – whether you’re on land or in the sea.
Prepare your taste buds for some truly delicious food. Many surf-loving chefs from around the world visit this peninsula and never go home. Lucky for us, they set up kitchens in paradise resulting in some fantastic food.
The restaurant at our accommodation offers a great selection of dishes. Traditional Costa Rican cuisine includes Gallo Pinto – a tasty brekky consisting of rice and black beans – deep-fried plantains and fresh fruit including mango, guava and starfruit. We can send you a varied menu before the trip begins. Bottomless filter water is also available free of charge to guests staying in the accommodation.
There’s also a nearby supermarket if you want extra snacks, such as salty plantain or corn chips and “chorreadas” pancakes. If you’re on a budget or prefer to cook for yourself, you can use the self-catering facilities on-site.
If you want to switch it up, there are also plenty of other restaurants, bars and cafes nearby offering fantastic food options. For one night of the week, we will organise for us to all eat out together at our fave, stunning beachfront restaurant.
This piece of paradise is an adventure away from the hustle and bustle of Costa Rica’s capital city San Jose, but it’s so worth it!
You will need to arrange your own flights to Tambor Airport (TMU). This will usually mean flying into Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) and connecting from there…
The flight is only 22 minutes, then we will be waiting for you with a taxi transfer to take you to Santa Teresa! This is an amazing experience and all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the views as you land into a paradise. When you land look out for our representatives, they’ll have a clipboard with “Women + Waves” on it. We’ll then head to the accommodation to get you checked in.
We highly recommend that you read our ‘How to book a flight’ blog post to help you organise the best flights for your holiday. The best thing to do is to contact Lee at Dial A Flight on 020 7295 1556 who can arrange all of this for you.
To give you an idea the flight from San Jose Airport to Tambor has two options:
Green Airways or Sansa, return flights, $2-300 USD.
Boards that are under 7ft are allowed on the flight. If you ride a board longer than this or prefer not to travel with a board, we can supply a surfboard for free.
The baggage allowance on the flight is 18kg, which is fine as you only need to pack light for this trip. No wetsuits, no problem!
FLIGHTS
Please arrange your flights to coincide with the following times:
If you want to arrive earlier or leave later, that’s fine. We’ll let you know where and when to meet us on the first day at our accommodation. However, please be aware that if you arrive at an airport other than Tambor, you will need to find your own way to Santa Teresa.
FLIGHTS AND CONNECTIONS
If your flight includes a stop, please allow enough time to make your connection and factor in short delays.
It’s best to book a ticket that transports your luggage directly to the airport in Costa Rica if possible.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THOSE TRAVELLING FROM THE UK/EUROPE
If you are travelling from the UK, it’s more than likely that your flight will get in late into San Jose Airport. So we recommend flying into San Jose airport the day before the trip start date and staying in a local airport hotel. You can then take the short flight to Tambor the next day. Please see below for a few local hotels you can book within 5-10 minutes from the airport with a shuttle bus.
We will be offering airport pick-ups from Tambor between 13:30 and 15:30 on the first day of the trip but if you arrive outside of this time, you can pay approx $40 for the short taxi ride to our accommodation. We can help you to organise the taxi, it is very straightforward. Our aim is to go for a sunset swim when you arrive in Santa Teresa. It’s an awesome, stress-free way to start the trip.
For your return, you need to arrange your flight out of Tambor on the final morning, you need to sync this up with your departing flight out of San Jose. Alternatively, you can book another night in the San Jose Airport hotel for your last night of the trip so that you are fresh for your early flight home. We will be offering transport to Tambor for flights which leave after 12 pm. We will have you at that airport by 11 am. If you want to arrive at Tambor at a different time, then again, we can help you to organise a taxi to the airport which will cost you around $40 USD.
Please see the example below:
Day Before Trip – Fly to San Jose airport + stay at an airport hotel
Trip Start Date – Head back to the airport using the shuttle for your Tambor flight. Catch your Tambor transfer flight where we will be waiting to collect you on the other side to take you to our camp.
Last day of the trip – We’ll take you back to Tambor airport, where you’ll catch your flight to San Jose and stay in an airport hotel or fly straight out if possible.
Following day – Head back to the airport using the hotel shuttle and get your flight home.
San Jose Airport Hotel Recommendations (all available via Booking.com or Lee at Dial A Flight can help book these for you)
-Holiday Inn Express
-Farnfield or The Courtyard by Marriot San Jose Airport
-Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport
ARRIVING AT THE AIRPORT
WELCOME MEETING
Once we’ve all arrived at our accommodation and checked into our rooms, we’ll have a brief group meeting to chat about the holiday ahead and get excited about our upcoming surf programme. The following morning we’ll lay on breakfast for everyone, introduce ourselves and explain the plans for the rest of the trip.
We can’t guarantee your place until we have received a payment from you.
Once you have made a payment, you’ll then be sent a trip confirmation email with all details on.
Due to this trip being in high demand and having limited spaces, we can only hold your space for 24 hours without payment.
Yes definitely! We pride ourselves on being super welcoming and friendly. Most of our guests arrive solo and leave with friends for life.
Please follow the instructions on the ‘Travel’ tab above. Then for further help please read our helpful blog post about booking flights.
If you can’t make the full trip, please get in touch for a tailored quote.
Yes, we can arrange for you to extend your stay. You may want to consider our Multi Stop Tours as well. Give us a call on +44 (0) 1637 226017 and we can discuss in further detail.
If you wish to bring a non-surfing partner with you please see our accommodation costs on the ‘Prices’ tab above.
Partners are welcome to join our evening meals, excursions etc.
Please see our accommodation costs table under ‘Prices’ and see the single occupancy room pricing and booking information.
Please see the information on our ‘Prices’ tab above for guidelines about costs during the trip.
You’ll be asked to fill in an enrolment form as part of the booking process. You’ll signify which level of surfer you are. You may be in different groups suited to your ability. However, there will be plenty of time to see each other back at camp and during our social times.
We choose the time of year and location for our events based on local knowledge and historical swell data. Costa Rica is incredibly consistent with a fantastic variety of beaches available to us. In the very unlikely event of flat waves or stormy conditions, we will offer alternative activities and day trips to help you get the most out of your holiday. Please take a look at our ‘Other things to do’ in the ‘Area, Waves + Climate’ tab.
We may adjust the format of the trip. For example, choosing to run more surf sessions on the days that the waves are at their best.
Please visit our T&Cs for more information
With decades of experience and knowledge within our team, we pick the best dates that the surf conditions are most suitable for the group. We’ll send you a brief predicted forecast in the pre-trip email. We choose Costa Rica at this time of year due to the fun waves and gorgeous weather. Expect waves that are waist to chest height. The beautiful long sandy beaches offer peaks for all abilities, the skill is to know which is best on the tide and wind conditions that are on offer. That’s where our local guides are worth their weight in gold. We pride ourselves in having you in the right place for the best waves for your ability each trip.
Before booking please take a look at our surfing level in the boxes above. If during the trip you would benefit from changing groups your instructor will organise for you to move, no problem! Please be aware, we pride ourselves on coaching everybody as an individual, so you will always receive individual feedback throughout each session.
Our Women + Waves trip leaders will be accompanied by local Costa Rican members of our coaching team. While our coaching team is predominantly made up of female instructors we also use male guides and instructors from time to time.
We do not offer a discount for bringing your own equipment.
Remember to check the baggage size and weight allowance with your airline. Read their guidance for carrying surfboards. Baggage handlers can be unforgiving so you need a tough travel bag and pack it well.
Firstly, pack your board(s) in a protective, padded board bag, and write FRAGILE and TOP LOAD ONLY on it with the largest, most permanent marker you can find. Make sure you wrap your towel and clothes around your board inside the bag for added protection.
Place your shampoo and other wet toiletries in a separate sealed bag in case of leakage. We also recommend locking your bag zips with a padlock.
Please check with your citizenship requirements in advance.
Please check international travel requirements for your nationality. When you leave Costa Rica you must pay a departure tax of $28 USD (correct at the time of writing).
If you’re travelling through America, you need to complete a Visa Waiver form. There’s a $14 USD application fee.
Please contact your travel agent or airline if you have any further questions. It’s a good idea to carry copies of your important documents and guide books. Pack them separately. We also suggest scanning copies and emailing them to yourself for extra reassurance.
If you are under 18 we will need to chat to you on the phone and you will need to be accompanied on the trip by a parent or guardian throughout the weekend (they don’t have to participate). If you are 65 or over we’d love to chat to you about the weekend before you book. Please email us to arrange a time and we’ll contact you. Or you can call us on +44 (0) 1637 226017
On the day you travel please keep your mobile phone handy so that we can stay in touch in case of delays and flight changes. Please inform us if you’re early or delayed for any reason. You will be added to our Whatsapp group so that we can share updates and stay in touch.
If you need help booking your flight then just drop us a line.
If you can’t find our representative at the airport, stay there and wait, they won’t be far away having tracked your arrival time. However, if you’re having difficulties finding them, please call +44 (0) 1637 226017 or follow the instructions in your pre-flight email. One of us will locate you.
Please inform our coaching staff of any medical complaints or conditions prior to your trip.
We’ll ask for travel insurance details when you book, so please organise this as soon as possible. Travel insurance needs to cover you for medical issues, cancellations and baggage. We’ll also ask you to fill out an enrolment form with these details before the holiday. Please read our helpful blog post about travel insurance.
Visit the Travel Health Pro website for medical advice for Costa Rica
Please contact your doctor if you’re unsure about vaccinations. We advise you to take mosquito repellent to avoid getting bitten, though we’ve never been aware of any malaria or dengue fever cases in the areas that we visit.
The Costa Rican colon and US dollar are both accepted in Costa Rica. It’s useful to be aware of both exchange rates, as you will undoubtedly use both at some point on the trip. We take a small amount of dollars and the rest in colones.
We suggest that you bring all the currency you plan to spend, as you may not have the chance to visit. Please arrange your currency before you arrive. Don’t worry; you’ll have access to a safe in your room.
If you need to visit the bank while in Santa Teresa (if you run out of cash for example), you can withdraw money using your credit or debit card via the ATM. You may find the machines empty at the weekend plus there are often large queues. We recommend planning your spending wisely to avoid any unnecessary trips to the bank or ATM – it’s valuable time spent away from the surf!
You can also use your card and passport to take money out over the counter at the bank. Many bars and restaurants take credit cards too. We recommend you bring at least two cards in case one gets blocked by the bank, lost or damaged.
We are a UK based company that deliver trips all over the world welcoming travellers of all nationalities.
If you’re based outside the UK and want to chat through the trip details, you can contact us through WhatsApp, Facetime, Zoom or Skype.
Just let us know by email and we can arrange this with you.
If you can’t join the trip, please let us know as soon as possible via email. Your cancellation notice will start from the date we receive it.
Cancellation charges are payable as follows:
Cancellation may fall under the terms and conditions of your holiday insurance policy and you may be able to claim.
Find out more under our terms and conditions.