Perfect peeling waves, bath-warm water, beautiful beaches and tropical wildlife… What more could you ask for on this surfing holiday of a lifetime? From beginners to pros, 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 remains unspoilt by tourism. 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.
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 grab a bite to eat at the great value restaurant. 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.
BUNGALOWS
SUITE
OCEAN VIEW ROOM
LARGE OCEAN VIEW ROOM
TREE TOP LOWER APARTMENT
Please see our ‘Prices’ tab for a list of accommodation prices.
On the first and last night of our trip, we stay in our fave hotel in Alajuela, the old colonial part of Costa Rica’s capital, near San Jose. It means we’re close to the airport making arrival and departure logistics much easier.
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.
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 DOES 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 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!
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. It’s not only an invaluable coaching tool to help improve your surfing, it’s also a great memento of your trip.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
COSTA RICA TRIP SCHEDULE 10 NIGHTS
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS:
During the trip you will be staying in two different accommodations. Night 1 and 10 will be in Alajuela and night 2 to 9 will be in Santa Teresa. The details below are for the 8 nights in Santa Teresa. Your stay in Alajuela will be in either a private room if you’ ve booked a private room or a shared room if you’ve booked a shared room.
Room | Bed | Total trip price per person | Duration** | Fan | Air Conditioning | En-suite bathroom | Private Terrace/ balcony |
Private Bungalow (Single Occupancy) | Double | £2,449 | 8 nights** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Private Bungalow (2 sharing) | Single | £1,599 | 8 nights** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Private Bungalow (2 sharing) | Double | £1,699 | 8 nights** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Private Bungalow (3 sharing) | Single* | £1,399 | 8 nights** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Private Bungalow (3 sharing) | Double | £1,499 | 8 nights** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Suite (single occupancy) | Double | £2,249 | 8 nights** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ocean View Room | Single* | £1,499 | 8 nights** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ocean View Room | Double | £1,599 | 8 nights** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Large Ocean View Room (4 sharing) | Single | £1,449 | 8 nights** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Large Ocean View Room (4 sharing) | Double | £1,549 | 8 nights** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Treetop Lower Apartment (2 sharing) | Single | £2,149 | 8 nights** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
COUPLE AND NON SURFING COUPLE OPTIONS
Room (Private Double) | Total trip price for a Surfing couple | Couple where one is a non surfer | Duration** | Fan | Air Conditioning | En-suite bathroom | Private Terrace/ Balcony |
Private Bungalow | £1649pp | £1649 (surfer) + £1499 (non surfer) | 8 nights** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Suite | £1599pp | £1599 (surfer) + £1449 (non surfer) | 8 nights** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Treetop Apt | £2149pp | £2149 (surfer) + £1949 (non surfer) | 8 nights** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
* Single beds are part of a bunk bed
**During the trip you will be staying in two different accommodations. Night 1 and 10 will be in Alajuela and night 2 to 9 will be in Santa Teresa. The details above are for the 8 nights in Santa Teresa.
Suitable For All Surfing Levels (See New Surfer, Progressor Surfer and Green Wave Rider descriptions in the boxes below)
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO BUDGET FOR?
EQUIPMENT HIRE:
You can hire kit at an additional cost. Just let us know what you need and your sizes when you book. We have a good range of foam surfboards/hardboards/progressor boards available. Contact us for more details.
HOW DO I BOOK?
We have developed an event status to reflect travel advice with reference to Covid-19.
EVENT STATUS: AMBER
This indicates that currently the trip is planned to go ahead, and we are taking booking deposit payments of £150. When we are confident, we will change this from Amber to Green status. At which time we will let you know that you should book your flight or travel to the location plus any accommodation that you may need. It will be when the status is moved from Amber to Green that we will take full payment for the trip or we can structure a payment plan for you at that point.
Further information about Green status in our Covid Terms and Conditions
You’re ready to begin your surfing journey and want to learn the right way from the start. We’ll supply you with all the correct kit, knowledge and skills that you need to know. You’ll progress quickly in a fun, no-pressure environment with other like-minded girls.
We’ll get you up and surfing in no time!
You’ve surfed before and are keen to take your skills and stoke up a level. You’ve successfully caught white water waves, stood up and cruised to the shore. Perhaps you’ve had a taste of surfing out the back?
You want to surf regularly ‘out back’ and learn to catch unbroken waves. We can take you there!
Paddling out, catching unbroken waves and successfully enjoying the buzz of taking the drop in fun conditions has captured you in its addiction. Now you’re looking to refine your skills, improve your style and work on the huge array of moves that will see you love surfing even more.
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.
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 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.
If you have your own kit, great! You’re more than welcome to bring it with you.
There’s a good range of kit available to hire. Not sure what you need? No problem. Just contact us and we’ll let you know. If you need to hire anything, we’ll make sure it’s ready for you when you arrive.
See our equipment hire costs under the ‘Prices’ tab for details.
SURFBOARD
If you’ve never surfed before, we suggest learning to surf on a foam board or “foamie”. They’re super floaty and make it much easier to catch waves. You’ll progress quicker than being on a hardboard or riding a board that’s too small for you.
BOARDSHORTS/SURF LEGGINGS AND RASH VESTS
On any tropical surf trip, you should invest in a couple of pairs of high quality, lightweight, board shorts, bikini bottoms/one piece that stays in place or surf leggings. You’ll also need a lycra rash vest for sun protection. A lycra swimsuit with long arms and short legs is another option.
LEASH
This is essential for attaching your surfboard to your ankle and will save you a swim!
Bring a spare leash with you. When you hire a board from us, you’ll get a leash too.
BOARD BAG
A decent board bag will protect your kit. They range from £50 to over £100. The more you pay, the better the storage and protection you get. Use bubble wrap and pipe lagging to help protect your board as much as possible during flights.
BOARD SOCK (OPTIONAL)
This will protect your board from the sun and double up as a board towel. It’s a lighter option for carrying your board between surfs, especially if you’ve invested in a heavy duty travel surfboard bag. Put your board in a sock between surf sessions to stop the wax from melting.
SURFBOARD WAX
Pack a few blocks of tropical wax in your board bag. You’ll need a hard wax to prevent it melting in tropical water temperatures.
ACTIVE WEAR / YOGA KIT + TOWEL (OPTIONAL)
Bring a pair of trainers for hiking. Remember to bring yoga clothes and a towel. You don’t need to bring a mat.
SUN PROTECTION
There’s nothing worse than ruining your holiday through sunstroke and sunburn. It’s painful but completely avoidable if you cover up sensibly.
Wear waterproof sunscreen and re-apply regularly. Zinc-based sticks are a good option and won’t run into your eyes.
Wear a hat while surfing if your head burns and wear a lycra rash vest over your bikini or swimsuit.
SUNGLASSES
Protect your eyes from the sun – the better the lenses, the more effective the sunglasses will be at blocking out the sun’s harmful UV rays.
FIRST AID KIT
As well as basics like painkillers, plasters, antiseptic cream, wipes, Vaseline and mosquito repellent, you may want to pack Imodium if you experience travel sickness or have a sensitive tummy.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Don’t forget your passport, boarding pass and travel insurance documents. Bring any medical cards / information that you usually carry with you. Take photos of your documents and email them to yourself as back ups.
EXTRAS TO MAKE YOUR TRIP MORE COMFORTABLE
These include:
CLOTHING
Bring comfortable clothing, particularly for changing into between surf sessions. We recommend bringing:
REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE
Please bring a reusable water bottle. As surfers, we’re all for limiting our use of plastics.
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 a stunning beach front restaurant.
You need to arrange your own flight to Juan Santamaria International Airport in Costa Rica, flights are not included in the price, please see our FAQs for more information.
FLIGHTS WITH CONNECTIONS
If your flight includes a stop, please allow enough time to make your connection and factor in short delays. If you’re flying from Europe, your stop will often be in New York, Miami or Atlanta.
It’s best to book a ticket that transports your luggage directly to the airport in San Jose if possible.
RECOMMENDED ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TIMES
We suggest you book a flight which arrives no earlier than 10am and no later than 9.00pm. If you can only arrive outside of these times, please contact us.
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
We offer airport pick ups included in your package price at 11am, 2pm, 5pm and 8pm. If you arrive outside these times, we’ll email you taxi details to travel the short distance to the hotel.
On the last day of the trip we organise your transport back to the airport or you travel with us to the next location if you have booked one of our Multi Stop Tours.
BAGGAGE FEES
Make sure you check the airline’s baggage charges when you book, especially if you bring your own surfboard.
We also hire equipment. Just let us know in advance – see the “Price” tab for more info.
WELCOME MEETING
Once we’ve all arrived at our accommodation and checked into our rooms, we’ll rest and meet up the next day. At our welcome breakfast (on us) in our hotels zen garden, we’ll chat about the holiday ahead. It’s time to get stoked for a week of waves!
You can either:
We’ll agree on the instalment dates with you at the time of booking. Generally, we take instalments on the 1st of each month.
We can’t reserve your place until we receive payment (in full or an instalment). You’ll then be sent a trip confirmation and enrolment form.
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.
If you need help to book 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.