Learn how to surf in Santa Teresa Costa Rica

Learning how to surf can change your life. Maybe it’s the powerful rush of catching a wave and the feeling of flying on water as you race across the wave’s face. Or that it doesn’t matter how old or young you are, whether you are a beginner or a pro, the thrill of being out in the ocean is still the same.

Always wanted to try surfing? Or tried it, love it and want to get better? Come to Costa Rica on vacation and do it. Water temperatures are usually 83-85°F; no wetsuit needed, and the sun shines most of the year.

Santa Teresa Beach, Costa Rica is a hot destination for surf in Santa Teresa Costa Rica. Santa Teresa is frequently named one of the most beautiful beaches in the world for its warm Pacific Ocean, great waves, empty beaches, tropical palm trees, friendly locals and picture-perfect sunsets. You’ll be star-struck by the beauty of the jungle pouring down from coastal mountains to white sand beaches and the clear blue sea. 

Famous for year-round surf, you can find awesome beach and point breaks with uncrowded easy-to-ride waves.

Hotel Tropico Latino at beautiful Playa Carmen in Santa Teresa specializes in Costa Rica surf holidays and Costa Rica surf camps. Pura Vida Adventures teaches surfing in front of Hotel Tropico Latino on Playa Carmen. The main surf break is a gentle rolling wave that is perfect for beginner surfers. More experienced surfers can go in the surf van to a variety of nearby breaks with differing challenges.

You’ll be amazed at how fast you will be up and riding waves with experienced surf instructors. Beginners will learn the basic steps of surfing: proper etiquette, water safety, wave riding skills (how to properly stand up and ride waves), and effective paddling techniques.

The Santa Teresa beachfront hotel offers comfortable and luxurious accommodations, a beachfront spa, yoga classes and yoga retreats, and an award-winning restaurant. Walk out your front door and be on the beach and in the surf in under a minute!

So, whether you are a beginner surfer or already have saltwater running through your veins, Hotel Tropico Latino can arrange the best Costa Rica surf vacation for you.

Article by Shannon Farley

It’s a kids’ paradise in Santa Teresa Costa Rica

There is so much to do and see in Costa Rica that families with kids can go nearly anywhere and be happy. What child, teen or adult wouldn’t appreciate rainforest exploring, canopy zip-lines, surfing, snorkeling, nesting sea turtles, endless beaches, and plenty of wild animals and cool bugs, plants and trees?

One of the best kid-friendly towns is Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, on the southern Nicoya Peninsula of the Pacific Coast. Santa Teresa is safe, family-oriented, relaxed, and full of restaurants, shops, hotels and things to do. It also is known for being a top Central American beach and one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Hotel Tropico Latino, at beautiful Playa Carmen in Santa Teresa, is a kids’ paradise. The 4-star beachfront hotel in Santa Teresa is comfortable, relaxed and luxurious at the same time. You can surf in front of the hotel in a Costa Rica surf camp; join a Santa Teresa yoga retreat or yoga class, or have the hotel organize a tour.

Wondering what to do with kids in Santa Teresa?

Here are 6 fun kid-friendly activities to try.

Canopy zip-line tour

Fly through the rainforest on a canopy zip-line tour – it’s just as exciting for you as your kids There are two tours to choose from in the Santa Teresa area. Both are safe with trained guides and the proper equipment.

Horseback riding

Ride sturdy Costa Rican horses down the beach, playing in the sand, surf and sun. Sunset rides are the most popular.

Snorkeling

One of the best secrets of the area is the giant tide pool at Playa Hermosa just north of Santa Teresa. Only exposed at low tide, the tide pool becomes a larger-than-Olympic-sized, shallow sea water swimming pool. The sun-warmed clear water is a little over waist deep and is filled with all kinds of interesting fish and sea creatures. Since the water is shallow and it’s right off the beach, this snorkeling site is perfect for families with kids.

Surfing

Surf right out in front of Hotel Tropico Latino on Playa Carmen. Professional, certified surf instructors are dedicated to coaching you in the art and joy of surfing, and in having a good time doing it. Kids of all ages are welcome.

Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve

At the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, the small private Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve is a picturesque place to hike with tropical forest, shell-strewn white-sand beaches, warm aquamarine sea, waterfalls and rivers, and hundreds of animals and sea birds. The Cabo Blanco Reserve is open Wednesday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tortuga Island

The quintessential tropical paradise of Tortuga Island in the Nicoya Gulf has crystal clear turquoise waters teeming with giant schools of tropical fish. No ocean currents make it ideal for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. To get there, you take a scenic 50-minute boat ride; on the way, watch for playful dolphins and jumping manta rays.

Article by Shannon Farley

Girls Rule: Women-only surf retreats in Santa Teresa Costa Rica

There are women-only professional clubs, women-only gyms, women’s athletic events, and girls also rule at Pura Vida Adventures surf retreats in Costa Rica.

Founded 10 years ago by surfer Tierza Eichner, Pura Vida Adventures brings women from the U.S. and other countries to the pristine beaches and rocking waves of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica for surfing and yoga vacations.

Santa Teresa Beach on the southern Nicoya Peninsula is a hot destination for surf and yoga retreats in Costa Rica. Santa Teresa is frequently named one of the most beautiful beaches in the world for its warm Pacific Ocean, great waves, sparkling white sand beach, tropical palm trees and balmy weather.

The Costa Rica surf camps are based at Hotel Tropico Latino in Santa Teresa. Women of all ages and walks of life – corporate executives, retirees, students, professional athletes – come to learn and improve the art of wave riding, be revitalized in yoga classes and relax under the tropical sun. The Santa Teresa beachfront hotel holds the very popular retreats all year long with Pura Vida Adventures.

Week-long surf retreats (7 days and 6 nights) are taught by professional, highly-trained surf instructors. Yoga adds the important elements of stretching and relaxation. Costa Rica surf and yoga retreats are available at Hotel Tropico Latino in November and December 2014, and January to May 2015. There are both co-ed and women-only retreats offered.

Big news is that Carve Design, makers of apparel for water girls, has teamed up with Pura Vida Adventures to make sure you look your best with your new Costa Rica beach tan. Sign up for a 2014 Pura Vida Adventures surf camp in Costa Rica, and you’ll get 20% off all Carve Designs products, designed for women by women to fit womanly curves.

Hotel Tropico Latino

At beautiful Playa Carmen in Santa Teresa, Hotel Tropico Latino is a relaxed and charming 4-star resort fronting the beach on four acres of lush, tropical gardens. Accommodations are comfortable and luxurious. Hotel facilities include a full-service beachfront spa and an award-winning restaurant. Sunsets are breathtaking.

Article by Shannon Farley

Surf retreat vacation craze captures hearts in Costa Rica

What's the latest vacation craze? Surfing and yoga retreats in the balmy tropics are the hot fashion.

But what if you don't know how to surf or live far from the nearest ocean? Is it still an adventure worth taking? Try it and you'll see. Here's what a few surf retreat fans had to say:

"This week has been about so much more than learning how to surf ... the support & encouragement you have given me, and this beautiful place will stay with me for years to come. I never imagined myself as a surfer chick … but despite my doubts … you guys got me up on the waves."

"Thank you for the best vacation! I went down to Costa Rica feeling like I was simply walking though life but not actually living it and now I feel more alive than ever."

"The best moment was the first time I caught a solid wave. Amazing!!! I can't believe that just two and a half months ago I couldn't swim, and now I am actually surfing and loving it!! There is nothing like facing your fears. After that, I was like, 'bring it on', I can do anything."

On Costa Rica's Pacific Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa Beach is a hot destination for surf and yoga retreats. Popularity is so big that beachfront Hotel Tropico Latino holds retreats all year in partnership with Pura Vida Adventures surf vacations.

On a scale of 1 to 10, Santa Teresa gets a 10 – warm Pacific Ocean, excellent waves, dazzling white sand beach, palm trees, balmy weather, and a shout-out in Forbes Magazine as one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world.

Seven-day/six-night surf retreats are taught by highly-trained, professional and bilingual surf instructors. Yoga is added into the mix for stretching and relaxation. Both co-ed and women-only retreats are offered.

A typical day on a surf retreat goes something like this: Early morning yoga class, followed by breakfast and a few hours of surf instruction. In the afternoon, lunch and time to relax (go for a massage or spa treatment, swim in the beachfront pool, lounge in a hammock, or enjoy a "siesta"). If surf conditions are optimal, there will be a sunset surf session, followed by dinner and social time. There is time during the week for optional day tours.

Beginner surfers will learn basic surfing skills: Proper etiquette, water safety, wave riding skills (how to properly stand up and ride waves), and effective paddling techniques. Intermediate surfers will focus on strengthening their surfing game. Advanced surfers will sharpen their surfing abilities and learn new maneuvers. The student to teacher ratio is three-to-one, but there are also one-on-one sessions. Pura Vida Adventures offers a full cadre of surfboards: "SoftTops," epoxy, fiberglass, high-performance long boards, fun-shapes, fish, and short-boards.

You don't have to be 22 and from Southern California or Florida to go on a surf and yoga retreat either. 

Declared one senior retreat participant: "What a way to celebrate being 60! AND just what I needed ... a surf vacation in warm water without the bother of a wetsuit. Despite having 5 years of surfing experience, at first I was very intimidated by the waves. However with … calm encouragement and attentive guidance, I pushed through my fear and discovered that, yes, I can ride these waves!"

Surf retreats are available at Hotel Tropico Latino in August, November and December 2013, all the way through May 2014.

Hotel Tropico Latino

At beautiful Santa Teresa Beach, Hotel Tropico Latino is a gorgeous surf and yoga vacation destination in Costa Rica. The 4-star resort fronts the white sands and brilliant blue Pacific Ocean of Playa Carmen at Santa Teresa on four acres of lush, tropical gardens. Accommodations are comfortable and luxurious. Hotel facilities include a full-service beachfront spa and an award-winning restaurant. Sunsets are breathtaking. Santa Teresa has been named one of the top beaches in the world for several years by TripAdvisor.

By Shannon Farley