Waves/Surfing
Distance to Beach
Bungalows
Surf School
Activities
Party
PURE Rating
Obligation free request
Enjoy the white sand beaches, turquoise water, amazing surf and tropical island feeling while spending evenings in amongst the stunning rain forest of Costa Rica.
Zopi de Santa Teresa S.A. runs Surf Camp Costa Rica and has had countless happy customers through its doors. The camp is located on a small rise above the local beach of Manzanillo, in amongst the topical forest of Costa Rica. The camp has an outdoor bar in the garden which is perfect place to get to meet the other travellers, share surf stories from the successful days out in the water, and enjoying a cold drink.
In the garden you’ll also find the mini ramp, if you haven’t had enough board sport action out in the water. The yoga deck, from which you have a stunning ocean view, is also in the garden. Both these activities are both fun, and improve your ability out in the water with a surfboard under your feet.
The beach of Manzanillo hasn’t been discovered by the tourists that visit Costa Rica each year, so in only a few minutes on foot through the palm and coconut trees you can find a pristine and empty beach to enjoy. The water is always warm so late evenings swims in the dry season, from November to April, are by no means out of question. During the rainy season, from May to September, you have pretty heavy showers with plenty of lightning and thunder in the evening.
Manzanillo near Santa Teresa:
Surf Camp Costa Rica is located in Manzanillo, which is on the north-eastern peninsula of Nicoya. The town is quiet and peaceful and the area has plenty of pristine, empty beaches like Santa Teresa, Mal País and Playa Hermosa. In Manzanillo you can find great local restaurants, but if you want to party, best bet is to take the 15 minute car ride to Santa Teresa. From the camp you can also take trips to check out the waterfall of Montezuma, which is only a short car trip away, or go to the National Parks of Curu and Cabo Blanco to explore the jungle and see amazing wildlife.
Montezuma Waterfall
A 40-minute car ride will take you from the camp to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Costa Rica. When you get there, you can take a stroll through the jungle, relax and soak up the amazing scenery, or take a swim in the river.
Gallo Pinto
The Costa Rican national dish has to be tried at least once while you’re there. The meal is based on rice and red beans. Our tip is to try Gallo Pinto at one of the local restaurants in Manzanillo or Santa Teresa with a local crowd, while enjoying a cold drink.
Zopi Family – Tricia, Venus & Simon
Simon, the founder, owner & manager of Surf Camp Costa Rica left the mountains of Austria behind to adventure his way around the globe. In 2005 he visited Costa Rica and never left. He opened the Surf Camp straight away and the following year met Tricia & her daughter Venus from Canada. Tricia started her own bikini label, SaltyBird, and also runs the local surf shop in Playa Hermosa.
Judith
Judith has been a part of the team for over 10 years. She takes care of all the bookings from her office in Austria, where she lives with her Costa Rican husband and their son. The plan is to move back to Costa Rica in the near future as the whole family misses the warm weather, ocean & great waves.
Dominik
Dominik visited the guest and soon became good friends with the entire team. He travels back and forth from Costa Rica to Java in Indonesia, where he runs a successful pizzeria & bar. The business allows him to chase surf around the world and he helps wherever help is needed at the camp.
Bianca
Otherwise referred to as the Camp Mama, she is a recent addition to the team but is quickly becoming a vital piece to the camp puzzle. She is there to meet you for breakfast, help you out with any queries you have, and even join you to become the life of the party when you head out to the garden bar for a drink.
The comfortable 4-person wooden Bungalows are free standing and located in the garden. These are the perfect place to get into the Costa Rican lifestyle.
The Bungalows sleep 4, have plenty of space, a private veranda with a hammock, chairs & table, as well as a private bathroom. All of this with a stunning view of the surrounding tropical garden. You can book individual beds in the Bungalow, or with a group of 4.
Inside the main house you have double and triple rooms available. These rooms also overlook the tropical garden.
All the rooms are comfortable and perfect to get a good night’s sleep to recharge for the next morning’s surf trip. They also have plenty of space to store your luggage and surfboard. The two rooms both share one bathroom.
On the ground floor of the main house at Surf Camp Costa Rica you have a big communal area with plenty of space to chill, a small library and a Foosball Table. The kitchen and dining area is also located on the ground floor where breakfast & Dinner are served, both of which are included in the price.
You also have a garden bar where you can enjoy a drink together, swap some stories with the other guest, all while enjoying the tropical weather of Costa Rica.
Online Booking
Surf Camp Costa Rica gets you to the surf that is perfect for your skill level. Enjoy the tropically warm water, sunshine, and perfect surf. In the Premium Package, you will get 8-hours’ worth of courses split over 4 days. An individual course can also be booked for 450 kr.
The surf spot is 15 minutes away on foot, or you can jump in the shuttle and get driven to the surf class. If you book the Premium Package you will have 4, 2-hour sessions split over 4 days. Then once the course is over, and you are feeling confident you can take part in the Surf Guiding. The surf coaches are qualified and experienced, they also know every wave on the coast and each morning will read the weather charts to find the perfect spots for you & your skill level. The great waves and the amazing coaches will get you up and riding in no time at all.
You can book on individual class for 450 kr. Safety, fun and quick progression are paramount to the Surf Course at Surf Camp Costa Rica.
Gero
Gero runs the surf school and coordinates all the Surf Courses & Surf Guiding that are offered through the camp. He’s been surfing in Costa Rica since he was young and knows the coast like no other. Every evening he checks the forecasts for the following morning, then with his knowledge of all the hidden surf spots, decides on the best breaks for each group.
Esteban
Esteban is patience personified and takes care of the surf lessons at the camp. He has all the required qualifications & predominantly takes the beginners classes. It doesn’t matter if you have two left feet, his persistence & fortitude will get everyone up and riding their first waves in no time.
Surf Guiding happens twice a day and is included in the price. The team will find the best waves Costa Rica has to offer, and you will get local information about the spot, and tips to improve your surfing.
Close to the camp you have the long beach of Playa Manzanillo, here you have the options of surfing the beach break as well as a reef break slightly of the beach. If the home break isn’t working, or you want to explore some other waves, the team can pack up the 4x4 and explore some of the harder to reach surf spots in the area. There are 2 trips a day, one in the morning, and one in the afternoon, and before you hit the surf the crew will run through the ins and outs of each spot, giving you info about take of spots, channels to get out, things to be cautious of and the currents. Some of the well-known spots nearby are Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa und Mal País.
Gero
Gero runs the surf school and coordinates all the Surf Courses & Surf Guiding that are offered through the camp. He’s been surfing in Costa Rica since he was young and knows the coast like no other. Every evening he checks the forecasts for the following morning, then with his knowledge of all the hidden surf spots, decides on the best breaks for each group.
Esteban
Esteban is patience personified and takes care of the surf lessons at the camp. He has all the required qualifications & predominantly takes the beginners classes. It doesn’t matter if you have two left feet, his persistence & fortitude will get everyone up and riding their first waves in no time.
There is definitely no need to bring, or rent, a wetsuit, with the water rarely dropping below 27°C. But if you don’t have, or don’t want to bring a surfboard, the team at Surf Camp Costa Rica has a board for you. The team has a large selection including Longboards, Mini-Mals & high performance Shortboards. The cost of renting a board is 80€ per week, but if you choose the Premium Package board rental is included.
Daily Breakfast is included
The huge breakfast buffet at Surf Camp Costa Rica will await you every morning when you get up. The fresh tropical fruit, muesli, vegetables, bread, cheese and meats are the perfect start for an active day out in the water. The morning coffee & tea is also included in the price.
Daily Dinner is also included
Every night all the camp guests get together to share a communal meal. The chef creates a mix of international dishes that utilise the freshest local ingredients. Every day there are vegetarian & gluten free options available. If you have any special requirements in regards to your diet, or any allergies, just let the team know when you arrive.
The Garden Bar
After dinner you and the other guests can make your way to the garden bar and enjoy a cold drink to end the day with the sound of the waves crashing in the background, warm tropical weather and millions of stars above. If you want to turn a chilled evening drink into a bit more of a party you can take a trip to the nearby Santa Teresa and party with locals and other backpackers visiting the area.
Yoga will stretch out the aches of hours of surfing as well as improving your balance and core strength. In the garden the team have built a yoga platform surrounded by the tropical garden from which you can also see the ocean. The beach is also sometimes used for evening, or early morning yoga sessions when the temperature is a little cooler. There are beginners and advanced classes available and all are taken by professional teachers.
In amongst the tropical garden you have a mini ramp that you can skate between surfs, or in the cooler evenings. The mini ramp is about 4 foot and made out of concrete.
Costa Rica has a large range of Flora & Fauna that is well worth checking out while you are in the country. On a walk along the coastline or through the jungle you will see plenty of animals and plants that can only be found in the tropical climate of Central America. A trip we recommend is to go check out Montezuma Waterfall, once you are there take on of the walkways around the waterfall and check out the Flora & Fauna of the tropical jungle. If you are lucky you might even see a monkey at camp, so you don’t need to go far to be reminded of your jungle surroundings.
The nearby National Parks of Curu & Cabo Blanco give you the full range of Costa Rica’s biodiversity. You can take guided tours of these parks where you will see a variety of monkey, birds and plenty of unbelievable tropical plants. The team at the camp is more than happy to help get your trip to the parks organised.
What better way to explore the Nicoya Peninsula than on horseback. Find empty spaces in the jungle and then gallop down the beach. On a horse tour you will experience the Costa Rican countryside in a completely different way.
Who hasn’t wanted to blast through the serene countryside and along empty sand beaches on a rowdy quad bike. In Costa Rica you have the option to do so. The tour takes you through the stunning tropical rainforest, through small rivers, and then back along the coast. There are all, and half day tours and there is also the option of renting a quad bike.
The team can help you organise a Zip Lining trip through the jungle canopy of Costa Rica. This gives you a completely different perspective of the jungle, while you also get to enjoy stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
The Pacific Ocean off the coast of Costa Rica is abundant in underwater life. The team can help you jump on a game fishing boat to go out and catch some big and powerful trophy fish. The day trips are not only action packed, but also give you an amazing view of the Costa Rican coastline.
Once a week the team from Surf Camp Costa Rica take a trip to Mal País where you can enjoy a poolside BBQ with an ocean view. The drive takes a little under an hour and takes you through the stunning Costa Rican landscape along the pacific coast. This is another one of the many highlights you will have while staying at Surf Camp Costa Rica, and before you head back, you can enjoy one last beer while soaking up the amazing views.
Navigate via the tabs to find prices for the different package deals, accommodation options, and various optional extras. Here you will see an example:
Detailed prices under: Standard Package
Detailed prices under: Premium Package
Arrival & Departure possible any day of the week.
| PERIOD FROM | PERIOD TILL | ACCOMMODATION | 1 WEEK | 2 WEEKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.01.2018 | 19.12.2018 | 4-Person Bungalow / Triple Room | 3369 kr | 5619 kr |
| 20.12.2018 | 10.01.2019 | 4-Person Bungalow / Triple Room | 3750 kr | 6450 kr |
| 11.01.2019 | --- | 4-Person Bungalow / Triple Room | 3369 kr | 5619 kr |
For holidays that aren't exactly 1 or 2 weeks.
| PERIOD FROM | PERIOD TILL | ACCOMMODATION | PRICE PER NIGHT LESS THAN 1 WEEK | PRICE PER NIGHT AFTER 1 WEEK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.01.2018 | 19.12.2018 | 4-Person Bungalow / Triple Room | 480 kr | 450 kr |
| 20.12.2018 | 10.01.2019 | 4-Person Bungalow / Triple Room | 540 kr | 510 kr |
| 11.01.2019 | --- | 4-Person Bungalow / Triple Room | 480 kr | 450 kr |
If 2 or 3 guests want to book the complete Bungalow.
| NO. OF GUESTS | SURCHARGE PER PERSON, PER WEEK | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | +750 kr | |
| 2 | +1500 kr |
Online Booking
Arrival & Departure possible any day of the week.
| PERIOD FROM | PERIOD TILL | ACCOMMODATION | 1 WEEK | 2 WEEKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.01.2018 | 19.12.2018 | 4-Person Bungalow / Triple Room | 4569 kr | 7719 kr |
| 20.12.2018 | 10.01.2019 | 4-Person Bungalow / Triple Room | 5175 kr | 8700 kr |
| 11.01.2019 | --- | 4-Person Bungalow / Triple Room | 4569 kr | 7719 kr |
For holidays that aren't exactly 1 or 2 weeks.
| PERIOD FROM | PERIOD TILL | ACCOMMODATION | PRICE PER NIGHT LESS THAN 1 WEEK | PRICE PER NIGHT AFTER 1 WEEK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.01.2018 | 19.12.2018 | 4-Person Bungalow / Triple Room | 659 kr | 639 kr |
| 20.12.2018 | 10.01.2019 | 4-Person Bungalow / Triple Room | 735 kr | 715 kr |
| 11.01.2019 | --- | 4-Person Bungalow / Triple Room | 659 kr | 639 kr |
If 2 or 3 guests want to book the complete Bungalow.
| BELEGUNG | UNTERKUNFT | ZUSCHLAG PRO PERSON PRO WOCHE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bungalow zur | 3er | +750 kr | |
| Bungalow zur | 2er | +1500 kr |
Online Booking
| Board Rental (Longboards, Mini-Mal, Shortboards) | 600 kr per Person & Week | |
| Private Surf Session | 450 kr per person | |
| Spanish Lesson | on request |
We offer an extra service where we will find you the cheapest available flight, then contact you with the final offer. Flights to San José are the best option when travelling to Surf Hostel Costa Rica. When the flights are booked and finalised we can organise an airport transfer to come and meet you at the airport, and take you to the Surf House.
If you would like to organise your own flights we recommend using Skyscanner to give you a good overview of the available flights. Iberia, British Airways and Lufthansa are some of the airlines that fly to San José directly, with many more making stops in the USA. If you choose to fly to San José we recommend booking an extra night on arrival as the trip to and from the camp takes around 6 hours.
The faster, but more expensive option is to continue on after you’ve landed in San José and fly to Tambor. Nature Air, a local airline makes the trips regularly. From here you can take a taxi directly to the camp for around 50 USD.
The cheapest option to get from San José to Santa Teresa and the Surf Camp Costa Rica is by bus. The bus leaves twice a day, once at 06:00 & again at 14:00 from the Mega Terminal in San José. When you get to the bus terminal go to the ‘Transporte Cobano’ teller and buy a ticket to Mal País/Santa Teresa for 16 USD. Once you get to Cobano you get out and catch a taxi to the camp in Mazanillo which will cost around 20 USD.
Make sure to double check the bus timetable before you depart, here.
We recommend spending a night in San José when you arrive, it makes getting to the bus terminal stress free. There could be delays with your flight, or traffic that will make it impossible to catch the bus and then you are stuck looking for accommodation. Plus you get to check out San José.
Renting a car in Costa Rica can be a great way to get around, they are very cheap and a great way to undertake your own early morning surf trips. The best priced rental cars are available at Sunny Cars. Getting a rental car will allow you to spontaneously explore the coastline on your own accord, just don't forget your roof racks.
We still recommend spending a night in San José before undertaking the 6 hour car trip to the Surf Camp. Making the trip during the day after a good nights sleep is much more fun that at night, after a long flight. Also, if it is within your budget, getting a 4x4 is a good idea, it will open up a lot more terrain to explore.
