Guanacaste has plenty of surf on its own, but a few towns further down the coast are worth the longer transfer, especially if you’re chasing a specific type of break or just want a quieter scene. Here’s what makes each one different.
Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa, on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, is probably Costa Rica’s best-known surf town at this point, with a beach break that works for beginners and intermediate surfers alike. It’s grown a lot in the last decade, so expect a real town now, with good food, yoga studios, and a busier lineup than it used to have. The transfer from Tamarindo takes around 3.5 to 4 hours, partly because of a ferry crossing or a long unpaved stretch depending on the route.
Nosara
Closer to Tamarindo, Nosara sits about 2 hours south and offers a more laid-back, less developed feel than Santa Teresa. Playa Guiones is the main surf beach here, with a consistent beach break that’s forgiving for newer surfers but still fun at size for anyone with more experience.
Pavones
Pavones is for a different kind of trip entirely. Located far south near the Panama border, it’s known for one of the longest left-hand point breaks in the world, but it’s a genuine mission to reach, generally requiring a domestic flight plus a ground transfer rather than a direct shuttle from Guanacaste. Only worth it if a long left is specifically what you’re after.
Planning the Transfer
For Santa Teresa and Nosara, a private shuttle is by far the easiest way to travel with boards. Both routes involve stretches of unpaved road, river crossings, or a ferry, and a driver who does the trip regularly will know current conditions that change with the season.
- Book board racks or extra space in advance, not on arrival
- Rinse and dry boards before loading to avoid sand and salt in the van
- Ask your driver about swell and tide timing along the route; many have grown up surfing these same breaks
Whichever town you’re headed to, building an extra hour into your travel day is smart, since road conditions on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast can shift quickly with rain.
