Mal País & Santa Teresa · Costa Rica
Surfing Playa Manzanillo
A reef break in Mal País & Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, for intermediate and advanced surfers.
The reefs at the north end of Playa Manzanillo need a strong south-west swell to work. When they do, they turn into short, hollow peaks over shallow reef.
Most of the year it's too small, so only come on the biggest, cleanest days, and have a backup plan if it isn't breaking. It's reached on rough roads and is usually empty.
It's mostly a green-season wave, from May to November, when the bigger south-west swells arrive. The reef is shallow, so it's for experienced surfers. Santa Teresa, a few minutes south, has the places to stay and eat.
When to surf
Playa Manzanillo
Playa Manzanillo is at its best from May to November. Conditions it likes: Strong S-SW swell.
December to April: Good
Dry season, cleaner conditions and WNW pulses, though smaller than the summer swell
May to July: Prime
Green season SW groundswell fires the points and beachbreaks; offshore mornings
August to October: Prime
Peak S-SW swell, most consistent and biggest, but the wettest months
Nov: Quiet
Transition, rain and swell easing into the dry season
The year across Golfo de Nicoya
Waves near Playa Manzanillo
Playa Caletas
6 kmMal País & Santa Teresa · Right Reef · Intermediate
Playa Santa Teresa
10 kmMal País & Santa Teresa · Beach Break · Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Playa Coyote
11 kmMal País & Santa Teresa · Right Point · Beginner / Intermediate
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there
Where to stay: Santa Teresa and Playa Carmen run into one another and hold most of the beds, food and board hire; Mal País proper is quieter and closer to Cabo Blanco. Access is by 4x4 over dusty (or muddy) roads, most people fly to SJO and take a shuttle and the Puntarenas-Paquera ferry.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Mal País & Santa Teresa guide.
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