Surf Lessons in Santa Teresa: Every Surf School Compared (2026)

Taking surfing lessons in Santa Teresa is a great way to start your surfing journey or improve it if you already have some experince. Trust me as a self-taught surfer, you don’t want to be doing this alone.

There are around 20 surf schools in Santa Teresa, and from the beach they all look the same: soft-top boards, colorful rash guards and an instructor shouting “paddle, paddle, paddle!”. Picking one shouldn’t take an afternoon of scrolling Google Maps.

So I put every surf school I could find on one page: what they charge, where they teach, how many students they put on one instructor and who each one actually suits. If you want the bigger picture on the waves themselves, start with my Santa Teresa surf guide.

Full disclosure before we start: I haven’t taken a beginner lesson with any of these schools. I’ve been surfing for about 10 years and spent almost four months surfing here, so I didn’t need one.

But I have seen them the way a surfer in the lineup sees them: which beach they teach on, whether that beach suits beginners on the day, how they handle big swell and how quickly they treat their students. Where something comes from reviews rather than my own eyes, I say so.

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How I Compared the Surf Schools

Every school on this page was checked against the same things, so you can compare them side by side:

• Where they teach: the beach matters more than the logo on the rash guard (more on that below).
• Group size: how many students they put on one instructor, as advertised.
• Price: the direct price, from the school’s own website, WhatsApp or booking listing.
• Extras: photos, video analysis, transport, packages, card or cash only.
• Reviews: Google rating and number of reviews, plus the things reviewers keep repeating, good and bad.

Prices in Santa Teresa change every season. Everything here was last checked in October 2026. If something has changed, tell me so I can update it.

All Santa Teresa Surf Schools Compared

School	Where	Lessons	Students per instructor	From (USD)	Best for
Blue Mystic	Playa Carmen, next to Taco Corner	Group, semi-private, private, family	Up to 3	$60 group	First-timers, families
Mahalo Surf Club	Main road, Las Piedras	Group, private, drone video	Ask	Ask	Nervous beginners
The Girl and the Sea	Playa Carmen	Lessons and multi-day programs	Ask	Ask	Learning technique properly
Del Soul	Main road, north of Eat Street	Group, 3- and 5-day packages	2 to 3	Ask	Tide-aware, running since 2006
La Oficina del Surf	On the sand, Playa Santa Teresa	Lessons plus beach rentals	2 to 3	Ask	Renting right on the beach after
DELMAR	Main strip, between Zula and Drift	Shared, private, surf trips	2 to 3	Ask	Improvers who want a surf trip
Lalo’s Surf School	Playa Carmen	Lessons plus rentals	Ask	Ask	Patient, small-school feel
Tiqui Surf Academy	25 m east of Super La Hacienda	Coaching, video analysis, surf-skate	Ask	Ask	Intermediates
Surf with Andres	Playa Hermosa	Private, family	Ask	Ask	Kids
Costa Rica Surf and SUP	Playa Carmen	Surf, SUP, video analysis	Ask	Ask	Women-owned, SUP
Santa Teresa Surf Lessons (Mauricio)	Mobile, transport included	Private, group, packages	Ask	$80 private	Budget privates
Santa Teresa Surf School (Carlos)	La Lora, north Santa Teresa	Private 1:1, photo and drone	1	Ask	Private lesson with photos
Santa Teresa Extreme Center	100 m north of the soccer field	Lessons, rentals, ATVs, tours	Ask	Ask	One-stop shop
Santa Teresa Surf & Adventures	Next to Cabinas Charlie	Lessons plus tours	Ask	Ask	Lessons with logistics sorted
Nalu Surf	Next to Ronny’s supermarket	Lessons, rentals, surf shop	Ask	Ask	Cheap board rental
Surf School Santa Teresa	Santa Teresa	Surf plus breathwork and jungle experiences	Ask	Ask	Wellness crowd
Pocket Wave	Playa Hermosa or Santa Teresa	Group, private, surf trips	Up to 3	$75 group	Small groups
Believe Surf & Yoga	Santa Teresa	Group, private	Up to 3	$60 group	Surf and yoga stays
Rebel Surf School	Playa Hermosa	2-hour private or semi-private	Up to 3	Ask	Longer sessions, kids from 3
Pura Vida Surfers	400 m north of the soccer field	Lessons plus lodging	Ask	Ask	Lessons with a place to stay
Perfect Sunset	North Santa Teresa, across from TP8	Surf, Spanish classes, stays	Ask	Ask	Surf plus Spanish

How Much Do Surf Lessons in Santa Teresa Cost?

Expect to pay around $60 to $80 per person for a 90-minute group lesson and $80 to $110 for a private one. Almost every school runs 90-minute sessions, and the board, leash and rash guard are included.

Group lessons here are small. Most schools cap it at two or three students per instructor, so a “group” lesson in Santa Teresa is closer to semi-private than the 10-person beach classes you see in other surf towns. For most beginners, that makes the group lesson the best value.

Multi-day packages bring the price down. Mauricio’s 5-day package, for example, works out to $57 per lesson for one person, and several schools quietly discount the second and third lesson if you ask.

Booking direct over WhatsApp is usually the cheapest option. Booking through a platform costs a little more, but you get free cancellation and a paper trail, which is worth something if your plans are loose or the swell might be too big on your lesson day. If you want that safety net, you can compare Santa Teresa surf lessons on Viator.

Which Beach Will You Learn On?

Here’s the thing most surf school lists skip: the beach and the tide matter more than the school. Most schools pick the spot on the day, and these are the ones they use.

Beach	Schools that use it	Beginner-friendly when	Watch out for
Playa Carmen	Blue Mystic, The Girl and the Sea, Lalo’s, Costa Rica Surf and SUP, DELMAR	Mid to high tide, small days	Shallow reefs, strong currents
Playa Santa Teresa	La Oficina del Surf, Del Soul, Extreme Center	Small days only	Dumpy shorebreak, rips, crowds
Playa Hermosa	Surf with Andres, Pocket Wave, Rebel, DELMAR	Mid to high tide	Rocks at low tide, rips
Playa Mar Azul	Blue Mystic and others on bigger days	High tide only	Reef exposed at low tide
La Lora	Santa Teresa Surf School (Carlos)	High Tide	Strong currents, Crowds

My rule from the main guide still applies: once it’s around 6 ft or bigger, beginners should stay out of the main beaches. A good school will move you to a sheltered spot like Mar Azul or Cabuya at high tide, or reschedule. If a school puts first-timers into big surf at Playa Santa Teresa, that tells you everything you need to know.

So before you book, ask one question: “Which beach, and at what tide?” If they answer straight away and it matches the forecast, you’re in good hands.

The Surf Schools in Santa Teresa

Each school below has a quick facts box with the essentials and direct links, so you can message them on WhatsApp or check their photos and latest reviews on Google Maps. The “what reviewers say” notes are my summary of their Google reviews as of October 2026.

1. Blue Mystic Surf School

Blue Mystic is the most-reviewed surf school in town, with a 4.9 from more than 440 Google reviews. They’re based at Playa Carmen next to Taco Corner and run by a young team of local instructors.

Group lessons cost $60 per person for 90 minutes, with a maximum of three students per instructor. Board, leash, fins, wax and rash guard are included. Depending on conditions, they teach at Playa Carmen, Playa Santa Teresa, Playa Hermosa or Mar Azul, and they have a separate price for families.

What reviewers say: Reviewers keep coming back to how passionate and kind the local instructors are. Parents and teenagers mention being taken from the basics to surfing with confidence, and several say the rental boards are in good shape.

Best for: First-timers who want the safe, proven option, and families.

2. Mahalo Surf Club

Mahalo calls itself a surf club rather than a school, and the reviews back up the community feel: a 5.0 from around 340 Google reviews. They’re on the main road in Las Piedras, opposite Blooma Hotel.

The recurring theme in reviews is confidence. Beginners who were scared of the waves keep mentioning how patient the instructors were and how much they focused on safety. They also offer drone videos of your session.

What reviewers say: The big theme is confidence. Reviewers describe instructors who stay patient while beginners face waves that look intimidating, with a constant focus on safety.

Best for: Nervous beginners and anyone who’s had a bad experience in the ocean.

3. The Girl and the Sea

The Girl and the Sea, at Playa Carmen, takes a different approach: they teach you why surfing works, not just how to pop up. That means body mechanics, reading the ocean and choosing the right board, so you can keep surfing on your own after the trip.

It’s one of the highest-rated schools in town, with a 5.0 from more than 310 Google reviews. Reviewers keep mentioning their multi-day programs and how much more confident they felt surfing alone afterwards.

What reviewers say: Reviewers call it some of the most complete surf instruction they’ve had in Costa Rica, and many say they left more confident mentally, not just technically.

Best for: People who want to keep surfing after their holiday, not just tick it off.

4. Del Soul Surf School

Del Soul has been teaching in Santa Teresa since 2006, which makes it one of the longest-running schools here. You’ll find them on the main road, north of Selina.

Lessons are 90 minutes with gear included, in small groups of two to three per instructor, and they schedule sessions around tide charts rather than a fixed timetable. They also do 3- and 5-day packages and rent boards, with free swaps if your first board doesn’t suit you. 4.9 from about 160 Google reviews.

What reviewers say: Reviewers like that instructors explain how waves and tides work, and nervous beginners describe a relaxed, supportive lesson that got them riding all the way to the beach.

Best for: Old-school reliability and tide-aware scheduling.

5. La Oficina del Surf

La Oficina del Surf sits right on the sand at Playa Santa Teresa, and they say they’re the only board rental in town that’s actually on the beach.

They teach total beginners and improvers in groups of two to three per instructor, and reviewers mention that they move you to another spot when Santa Teresa gets too big. 4.9 from about 140 Google reviews.

What reviewers say: The small groups come up a lot: reviewers say they got plenty of personal tips, and that instructors switched to another spot when Santa Teresa was too big.

Best for: Taking a lesson and then renting a board to keep practising, without walking anywhere.

6. DELMAR Surf School

DELMAR is on the main strip between Zula and Drift, about five minutes’ walk from Playa Carmen. All instructors are ISA certified and speak English, and they keep it to two or three students per coach.

What sets them apart is the surf trips: they run trips to point breaks and boat trips, so you have somewhere to go once you’ve outgrown the beach break. 4.9 from about 100 Google reviews.

What reviewers say: Reviewers mention the friendly shop vibe and instructors who keep lessons varied by taking students to different breaks, like Playa Santa Teresa and Playa Hermosa.

Best for: Improvers who want a surf trip after a few lessons.

7. Lalo’s Surf School

Lalo’s is a small school at Playa Carmen, next to the Cocoloco restaurant. With a 5.0 from about 110 Google reviews, it punches well above its size.

Reviewers mostly talk about Lalo himself: his patience and how clearly he explains technique. You can rent a board after your lesson to practise.

What reviewers say: Reviewers praise Lalo’s patience and clear explanations, and say beginners were riding waves quickly.

Best for: A small, personal school where you’ll likely be taught by the owner.

8. Tiqui Surf Academy

Tiqui, 25 m east of Super La Hacienda, is less of a first-lesson school and more of a coaching outfit. They do surf lessons and coaching, photo and video analysis, and surf-skate sessions to fix your technique on land.

Reviewers say it isn’t the cheapest option in town, but that the feedback is detailed enough to justify it. 4.9 from about 60 Google reviews.

This is the one school I can vouch for; I had two amazing video analysis sessions. Not only was it super informative, but I could literally see an improvement even after only two sessions.

Since it was low season, they had a promotion for a two-hour video analysis for a maximum group of four at about $120, which comes out to $30 per person. A great deal if you ask me!

What reviewers say: Reviewers admit it isn’t the cheapest school, but say the patience and detailed personal feedback helped them improve fast.

Best for: Intermediates who are stuck and want to know exactly why.

9. Surf with Andres

Andres teaches at Playa Hermosa and puts a lot of weight on water safety, ocean knowledge and etiquette, in and out of the water.

He offers family and kids’ discounts, and that’s where the reviews shine: parents keep saying how good he is with children. 5.0 from about 30 Google reviews.

What reviewers say: Parents describe Andres as friendly and great with children, teaching respect for the ocean as well as technique.

Best for: Kids and families.

10. Costa Rica Surf and SUP

Costa Rica Surf and SUP is a women-owned school at Playa Carmen with more than 16 years of teaching behind it. As the name says, they teach stand-up paddle as well as surfing.

Reviewers highlight the energy of lead instructor Audrey and how quickly beginners get to their feet. Intermediates can book video analysis sessions. Boards and rash guards are brought to the beach, so you only need sunscreen and water. 5.0 from about 70 Google reviews.

What reviewers say: Reviewers highlight the lead instructor’s energy and how quickly beginners got to their feet, often within the first hour.

Best for: Women who’d rather learn from a women-led school, and anyone who wants to try SUP too.

11. Santa Teresa Surf Lessons (Mauricio)

Mauricio is a certified, bilingual Costa Rican instructor with more than 25 years in the water. Transport is included, which is handy if you’re staying out of town.

Private lessons start at $80, and his packages bring the price down further the more days you book. He teaches ages 5 to 95 and also offers surf and stay packages. Reviewers mention he’s one of the best-value private lessons in town. 5.0 from about 65 Google reviews.

What reviewers say: Reviewers describe a caring, patient teacher who reads the ocean well to pick safe waves, and several call it some of the best value for a private lesson in town.

Best for: A private lesson without the private-lesson price.

12. Santa Teresa Surf School (Carlos)

Carlos runs private 1:1 lessons from La Lora at the north end of Santa Teresa. He’s been a certified instructor for more than 15 years and every session is customised to your level.

The extra here is photography: he also shoots surf photos and offers water photography and drone packages, so you go home with proper shots of your first waves. 5.0 from about 25 Google reviews.

What reviewers say: Reviewers value the undivided attention and detailed tips, and students of all levels say they caught waves and progressed quickly.

Best for: A private lesson with photos of you actually surfing.

13. Santa Teresa Extreme Center

Extreme Center, 100 m north of the soccer field, is a surf shop and adventure centre in one. Alongside lessons for all levels, they rent surfboards, bikes, motorbikes and ATVs, and run guided tours.

It’s the second most-reviewed place on this list with a 4.7 from almost 400 Google reviews, and reviewers like being able to book a lesson and an ATV in the same place.

What reviewers say: Reviewers say instructors are very patient with total beginners, and like booking surf trips and rentals in one place.

Best for: Sorting your lesson, your ATV and your tours in one stop.

14. Santa Teresa Surf & Adventures

Next to Cabinas Charlie, this is a surf school and tour company in one. Reviewers praise the instructors for getting people standing on their first try, and the team for handling the boring bits like taxis back to your hotel.

5.0 from about 60 Google reviews.

What reviewers say: Reviewers mention standing up on their first try and how easy the team made scheduling and getting back to their hotel.

Best for: Travellers who want someone else to handle the logistics.

15. Nalu Surf

Nalu has been in Santa Teresa since 2008. It’s a surf school and a fully stocked surf shop, next to Ronny’s supermarket, about 300 m north of the main crossroad.

It has the lowest rating on this list (4.2 from about 80 Google reviews), but reviewers like the cheap board rentals and the local tips from the staff.

What reviewers say: Reviewers like the affordable rentals (around $12 for five hours, according to one review), beginner-friendly instruction and local tips.

Best for: Budget board rentals and picking up gear.

16. Surf School Santa Teresa

This one is for the wellness crowd. Surf lessons are combined with jungle experiences and holistic practices like breathwork, meditation and nutrition tips.

5.0 from about 80 Google reviews.

What reviewers say: Reviewers say the instructors are unusually attentive and take real care of their students, and that they pick the best spot for the tide, so surfers of every level end up catching good waves.

Best for: People who came to Santa Teresa for the yoga as much as the waves.

17. Pocket Wave

Pocket Wave teaches at Playa Hermosa or Santa Teresa. Group lessons are $75 for 90 minutes with a maximum of three students per instructor, and you get a cold coconut afterwards. Private lessons are $90.

They also run private 1- and 2-day surf trips to spots like Pavones, Roca Bruja and Mata Palo.

What reviewers say: Pocket Wave has a 5.0 from about 40 Google reviews. Reviewers say the local instructors choose the right waves for the tide, so beginners and more experienced surfers both end up riding waves, and several call the lesson the highlight of their trip.

Best for: Small groups, and surf trips further down the coast.

18. Believe Surf & Yoga

Believe is a surf and yoga camp, but walk-ins can book lessons too. Group lessons are $60 per person, with a maximum of three per instructor, and private lessons are $80. Board, rash guard and water are included.

What reviewers say: Believe’s Google profile covers the whole lodge (4.5 from about 210 reviews), so it rates the rooms and food as well as the surfing. On the surf side, guests describe the lessons as competent and good value with experienced instructors, and like being able to add daily yoga classes.

Best for: People who want a few days of structured surf and yoga.

19. Rebel Surf School

Rebel is bookable through Airbnb Experiences. The instructor has more than 25 years of surfing and 10 years of teaching, and sessions are two hours instead of the usual 90 minutes, private or semi-private, for up to three people.

Kids from 3 years old can join. Lessons meet at the main access to Playa Hermosa. 4.96 from about 70 Airbnb reviews.

What reviewers say: Their reviews live on Airbnb rather than Google: 4.96 from about 70 reviews. Guests say Pedro covers safety and theory on the sand first, adapts the lesson to each person’s background, and gives instant feedback on pop-ups and wave choice. Several say he pushes you harder than a typical tourist lesson, so expect a proper workout.

Best for: Longer sessions and very young kids.

20. Pura Vida Surfers

Pura Vida Surfers is a local surf school with its own lodging, about 400 m north of the soccer field. They teach all ages and levels, and you can book your room and your lessons in one go.

It has a 4.4 from about 115 Google reviews, and that rating covers the lodging as well as the lessons.

What reviewers say: Reviewers describe a professional, caring team that takes extra time before, during and after each session to give tips on catching waves, and recommend it as a friendly place to stay.

Best for: Booking your room and your surf lessons in one place.

21. Perfect Sunset

Perfect Sunset is a beachfront surf and Spanish school in north Santa Teresa, across from TP8 restaurant and about 100 m north of the Hermosa supermarket, next to a nature reserve.

You can book surf lessons on their own or combine them with Spanish classes and a stay, which makes it more of a small camp than a walk-in school. 4.9 from about 80 Google reviews.

What reviewers say: Reviewers talk as much about the warm, family-like community, the food and the Spanish teachers as about the surf instructors, and many say they felt at home from the first day.

Best for: Learning to surf and learning Spanish on the same trip.

Which Surf School Is Best for You?

• Total beginners: Blue Mystic or Del Soul. Small groups, lots of experience, and they move you to the right beach on the day.
• Nervous or not a strong swimmer: Mahalo Surf Club. Confidence and safety come up in review after review.
• Kids and families: Surf with Andres, or Rebel Surf School for kids under 5. Blue Mystic also has family pricing.
• Intermediates: Tiqui Surf Academy for video analysis and surf-skate, or DELMAR if you want a point break trip.
• On a budget: a group lesson at Blue Mystic or Believe ($60), or a private with Mauricio ($80).
• Women: Costa Rica Surf and SUP (women-owned), or The Girl and the Sea.
• Photos of your session: Carlos at Santa Teresa Surf School, or Mahalo for drone video.
• Several days of surfing: The Girl and the Sea’s programs, or a package with Del Soul or Mauricio.
• Surf plus wellness: Surf School Santa Teresa or Believe Surf & Yoga.
• Everything in one place: Santa Teresa Extreme Center for lessons, rentals and ATVs.
• Surf plus Spanish: Perfect Sunset, or Pura Vida Surfers if you want lessons and a room in one place.

Group, Semi-Private or Private?

Because groups in Santa Teresa are capped at two or three, a group lesson is the best value for most beginners. You still get plenty of attention, and watching the others wipe out takes the pressure off.

A semi-private lesson (two people, one instructor) is perfect for couples or friends at the same level. Go private if you’re nervous, have specific goals, or if you’re an intermediate who needs feedback on your own surfing rather than general tips.

Should You Book a Surf Camp Instead?

If you’re coming for a week or more and want to surf every day, a surf camp can work out cheaper and easier than booking lessons one by one. Accommodation, daily lessons and usually some yoga or video analysis come as one package. I cover a couple of options in the surf camp section of my main guide, or you can browse all surf camps in Santa Teresa and compare them side by side.

Conclusion & Tips Before Your First Surf Lesson

• Book a day ahead. Most schools schedule around the tide and fill the good slots early.
• Ask which beach and what tide. It’s the best quality check you have.
• Be honest about your swimming. Your instructor will pick a different spot if you need one.
• Bring reef-safe sunscreen and water. The sun here is no joke, even when it’s cloudy.
• Rent a soft-top afterwards. Practising the same day makes a huge difference. Stay on small days and near other surfers.
• Read up beforehand. My surfing tips for beginners and surf safety guide will make your first lesson go a lot smoother.

Bottom Line, there are plenty of good surf schools in Santa Teresa. Choose based on your own level, proximity to the school, and overall vibe check.

This guide is meant to give you a head start when researching for the best surf school in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. But it doesn’t replace doing your own research and verifying that the school matches your requirements and standards.

Hope this helps, HAPPY SURFING!

FAQ

How much is a surf lesson in Santa Teresa?

Most 90-minute group lessons cost $60 to $80 per person, and private lessons cost $80 to $110. Board, leash and rash guard are usually included. Multi-day packages bring the price down.

Is Santa Teresa good for learning to surf?

Yes, if you learn on the right beach at the right tide. The main beach can be powerful, so good schools take beginners to Playa Carmen, Playa Hermosa on smaller days, or Mar Azul, Playa Cabuya at mid to high tide on bigger days.

How long is a surf lesson in Santa Teresa?

Almost all schools run 90-minute lessons. Rebel Surf School is the exception with two-hour sessions.

What age can kids start surf lessons?

Most schools take kids from around 5 or 6. Rebel Surf School accepts kids from 3, and Surf with Andres and Blue Mystic offer family discounts.

Do I need to book surf lessons in advance?

Book at least a day ahead, especially in high season (December to April). Schools set lesson times around the tide, and the best slots go first.

When is the best time of year for surf lessons in Santa Teresa?

The dry season (December to April) has smaller, mellower waves, which is ideal for beginners. The rainy season (May to November) brings bigger south swells, so lessons depend more on finding a sheltered spot.

Still planning the rest of your trip? My guide to surfing Santa Teresa’s beaches and seasons covers the waves, where to stay and what to do, and my Costa Rica surf spots guide covers the rest of the coast.