Golfo De Nicoya

For many a decade in Costa Rica, the land known as Mal Pais ("Bad Country") located in the far south of the Nicoya Pennisula, was merely a remote, final frontier of surfing in the nation. Now, however, nearby Santa Teresa has become a groovy, modern backpacker town teeming with young people, music, boutiques, amazing eateries, and, yes, very fun surf.

With rolling beginner waves out front for learners, to the punchy, more high-performance river mouth righthander north, to the less-busy collection of peaks around sleepy Playa Hermosa—Southern Nicoya begs you to stay for a couple weeks, at minimum. Of course, ole Mal Pais is still there and holding its special reefs, and if you feel like searching further afield, many more waves (beachbreaks and points) are waiting beyond the hills around Santa Teresa.

Notable waves

Playa Santa Teresa, Playa Hermosa, Playa Manzanillo, Mal Pais, Secret Spots

Don't miss

• One of many amazing restaurants in Santa Teresa (specifically, pizza at Amici)
• The nightlife and live music around Santa Teresa
• Finding your own peak on the stretch of beach known as Playa Hermosa
• A trip to the artsy town of Montezuma an hour over the mountain above Santa Teresa
• Checking out the reefs around Mal Pais