Lucero Surf Vacations
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Boutique surf retreat located at a beautiful property with excellent surf lessons.
Set up on a jungle hillside in the heart of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, Lucero Surf Vacations is a family-owned boutique surf camp made with love. With limited spots for small groups of friends, couples, solo travelers, and families, gracious hosts Jared and Marieke take great care of every guest and make them feel like a part of the family.
The property has a lovely boutique hotel feel to it. The exterior of the buildings are Spanish-style with white-washed walls and clay tile rooftops, and the inside takes on a Balinese flavor with finished concrete, minimalist decor, and details like brass Balinese doorknobs and teak wood accents. The rooms are filled with light and come with hammocks made for lazy post-surf afternoons.
The location is a great one – it’s close to the main road and beach so you can walk everywhere (to the market, many restaurants, the beach, etc), but tucked away in a quiet private spot.
Lucero Surf Vacations offers weekly Surf & Stay Packages which typically run Sunday to Saturday (6 nights) and include accommodation, a delicious breakfast with vegetarian and vegan options (mostly organic), four surf lessons or surf guiding sessions, and complimentary use of surf gear during your stay.
These surf retreats are fantastic for all types of travelers, and they’re an especially great option for families, as many surf-focused retreats don’t accept children into their surf programs. Lucero not only accepts children, but they also give kids wonderful surf lessons, have babysitters available, and the whole experience is a very family-friendly environment.
A few different types of accommodation are available: double rooms, and for larger groups or families there is a 1-bedroom apartment and a 2-bedroom villa that can accommodate up to 8 guests.
The Lowdown
VIBE: Minimalist Bali meets Spanish Colonial
LOCALE: Jungle sanctuary close to the action
ROOMS: 5 rooms, 1 apartment, and a 2-bedroom villa
FAMILY FRIENDLY: Yes, very
CLOSEST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS: Liberia Airport (LIR) or San Jose Airport (SJO)
PRICING: $980 – $1,580 USD per person per week (pricing varies depending on room and occupancy)
Features
Inside
Spacious boho-modern rooms are breezy with minimalist decor. All rooms have therapeutic mattresses, premium linen bedding, A/C, ceiling fan, mini fridge, safe, and your own comfy hammock out on the balcony.
Outside
The bottom level of the hotel has a garden-lined pool area and a small communal space where breakfast is served and surf theory lessons are held. The Double Rooms are on the second level looking out over the pool. The Apartment and 2-Bedroom Villa are located farther upstairs beyond the double rooms.
Eat & Drink
A daily breakfast buffet is included and prepared at the hotel with fresh local ingredients. For lunch and dinner, you’re within walking distance to many great restaurants and the hosts will give you fantastic recommendations.
The Surf
Santa Teresa and nearby Mal Pais (both located on the Nicoya Peninsula) have become one of Costa Rica’s most popular surf zones, boasting a wide variety of point breaks and beach breaks that are warm, fun, consistent, and user-friendly. Appropriate for surfers ranging from beginners to experts, the local waves tend to fire during the southern hemisphere season (from April through September), although they can also get swell during the winter “offseason.” The main beach break of Santa Teresa is the go-to spot in the area if you like punchy, hollow sandbars.
With more than 15 years of surf coaching experience in Santa Teresa, Lucero offers personalized surf lessons for all levels and ages.
WATER TEMP: 77 – 86 °F (25 – 30 °C)
PEAK SURF SEASON: July – Sept
SHOULDER SURF SEASON: Apr – June, Nov
SURF EXPERIENCE: Beginner to advanced
Rooms
Private double rooms all have air conditioning, ceiling fan, mini fridge, safe, therapeutic mattress, linen bedding, and a comfy hammock. Rooms are available with either a queen bed, two twin beds, or a king bed, and all have a private outdoor balcony or lounging space.
Max Guests: 2
The one-bedroom private apartment located at the top of the property has an outdoor balcony with jungle views, outdoor dining table, separate bedroom with a queen bed, and a small living room and kitchen space including a fridge, oven, and stove.
Max Guests: 3
The 2-bedroom ocean view villa is located at the top of the property. The villa has a full-size kitchen, island with bar stools, living room lounging space, outdoor dining area, and yard. The large master bedroom is upstairs and has a king-size bed (which can be configured as a twin bed), a bathroom, and a large balcony. Downstairs there is a second bedroom with a queen bed and ensuite bathroom.
Max Guests: 5
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Max Guests: X
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Details
Surf & Stay Packages are available for 6 or 7 nights and can be booked starting on a Saturday or Sunday. Each week, new guests start the first surf lessons/guiding on Mondays, and the last lessons/guiding are on Fridays. Extended Surf & Stay Packages are also available for 13, 14, 20, or 21 nights.
Rates
What’s Included
- 6 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast buffet prepared with fresh local ingredients
- 4 surf lessons or guiding (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)
- Complimentary use of surf gear during your stay
Rates
Single Occupancy (in a Double Room): from $1,425
Double Occupancy (in a Double Room): from $980 per person
Families & Groups
4 guests (in 2 Double Rooms): $3,920
3 guests (in the 2-Bedroom House): $3,885
4 guests (in the 2-Bedroom House): $4,380
5 guests (in the 2-Bedroom House): $4,995
* For other family or group sizes, please get in touch for pricing and availability.
What’s Included
- 6 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast buffet prepared with fresh local ingredients
- 4 Surf lessons or guiding + theory per person
- Complimentary use of surf gear during your stay
- Surf photos: the team will capture you in action
- 1 Additional activity. There are multiple activities and options available (either all day or part of the day) like a fishing boat trip, snorkeling at Tortuga Island, zip-lining through the jungle canopy, or a relaxing massage.
Rates
- 4 guests (in the 2-Bedroom House): $4,925
- For other group sizes and more details, please get in touch with the number of guests and mention you are interested in the “Premium Surf Package.”
Good to Know
- Lucero Surf Vacations is fantastic for all types of travelers, and they’re an especially great option for families, as many surf retreats don’t accept children into their surf programs. At Lucero, they not only accept children, but they also give kids wonderful surf lessons, can arrange babysitters (at an extra cost), and the whole experience is a very warm and family-friendly environment.
Location
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Santa Teresa is a small laidback surf town located on the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Once a small fishing village, over the past 15 years Santa Teresa has seen a surge in growth with surfers and travelers seeking surf, sun, and the pura vida way of life. Many of those visitors found all of the above and decided to stay.
This rise in expats from all over the world has led to an international feel to this charming surf village, and along with it an influx of fantastic restaurants, villas, and hotels to enjoy.
While there has been significant development in the area, there are no high-rises to speak of, most roads are unpaved, and residents and visitors still gather on the beach to hang out and collectively watch the epic sunsets.
With long beaches lined with great surf breaks, consistent swell, and year-round warm water, Santa Teresa is a quintessential surfer’s paradise.
Getting There
You can either fly into San Jose Airport (SJO) in central Costa Rica, or Liberia Airport (LIR) in northern Costa Rica. Santa Teresa is located on the Nicoya Peninsula and is about a 4 to 5 hour journey from both airports. From San Jose, you can take a bus for $15. There is also a shared daily shuttle available for $50 (leaves at 7 am or 2 pm from SJO). A private shuttle is a good option if you are traveling with a group ($250 one way). Both the bus and shuttle from San Jose are between 4 and 5 hours of travel, including a ferry crossing of 1.5 hour.
Another option is to fly with a charter flight from San Jose to Tambor, which takes only 20 minutes and costs around $120 one way. The taxi from Tambor to Lucero Surf Vacations is $50.
The Small Print
Terms and Conditions
PAYMENT TERMS
The deposit to confirm your reservation is 50% upfront and the remaining 50% balance due 30 days before arrival. If the booking is being made within 30 days of arrival, then the full payment is required at time of booking to confirm your reservation.
CANCELATION POLICY
More than 46 days before Check in: Full refund
45 to 15 days before Check in: 25% charge
15 to 8 days before Check in: 50% charge
7 days or less before Check in: no refund
EMERGENCY / INSURANCE
Your travel insurance may provide a full refund for your booking, and we recommend that all clients have a suitable insurance policy prior to booking.
We recommend you to have health insurance to cover yourself in case of injuries and health emergencies.
Lucero Surf Vacations will not be liable or responsible for any health related problems during your stay at our camp or accident / injuries at our site in any way.
IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT THE PACKAGES
Surf lessons included in the family package are 3 per family member, and it is not possible to give surf lessons to another family member.
Breakfast and water is included. Lunch and Dinners are not included.
Extra surf lessons / yoga or other activities can be coordinated before arrival or when you are here.
If the weather or other circumstances makes it unsuitable to surf, your lesson will be re-arranged for a different day/time.
If you have to cancel a surf lesson because you are tired or would like to do something else instead, Lucero Surf Vacations is not responsible to make up this lesson on a different day.
You will be asked to sign a release of liability upon arrival.