The Beaches of Santa Teresa and Mal Pais are amongst the best surf spots of Costa Rica .

This area offers ideal surf conditions throughout the year with a variety of world-class Breaks .
Playa El Carmen is the main surf beach,and It has a good set of sand bars that offer some nice lefts and slightly longer rights. As with all beach breaks, the sand bars can change overnight. For latest information ask at the Malpais Surf Camp or at one of the surf shops in Santa Teresa.
Playa Carmen is popular with long-boarders but you can always find a few hot short-boarders pulling tail slides, aerials and 360s.
Rip tides and beach breaks at Playa Carmen are less powerful than in other surf spots of the Costa Rican Pacific, making the surf suitable for beginners.
The waves tend to get heavier, faster and steeper as you head north towards Playa Santa Teresa. Here it is easier to find your own uncrowded peak but you should be careful for submerged rocks in the sea.

An Interview with

Steve Soderberg

by Dave Parry

Steve Soderberg made the definitive surf films of the 70's and early 80's, Ocean fever, Matter of Style and Ticket to Ride, featuring legendary surfers such as Buttons KaluhioKalani and Larry Bertleman. He's a Californian who chooses to spend his winters here in Santa Teresa with his wife Sandy.

How long have you been surfing and what got you into it?

I started surfing in 1960, it has been 50 years. A friend of mine took me to a beach and pushed me into some soup and man I was stoked. the movie Gidget had just come out and surfing was starting to get popular. I went to a surf movie that week. It was Bud Bornes 'Surf Happy' My eyes were like saucers. I made up my mind right there and then that I was going to make surf movies.

Describe your best session ever.

I remember a lot of giant blue green translucent walls in Hawaii, but I'll never forget , in 1988 surfing the left point at Puerto Escondido, Mexico! It was an housr or so before dark, I was the only guy out, on any wave I wanted, getting barrelled so deep. best tubes of my life.

Which are your top 5 favourite waves?

La punta Purto Escondido, Ala Moana, Pili I think it's called on the island of Moovea because it's so desolate. I'd paddle two miles to get to it and be the only guy out. Pipes at home in California, it gets crowded but it's super fun. As far as waves to film, Backdoor pipeline and Off the Wall, Honalua Bay on Maui is the most picturesque wave I've ever filmed.

You've travelled the world surfing and filming . What keeps you coming back to Santa Teresa?

I've been coming here since the mid 90's. Originally I was transfixed by the innocence, the primitive land, warm water and friendly people. It's got crowded but it's not because of me. I never told anyone where I was going. The waves are so consistent. I've seen waves here that remind me of the north shore but with sand bottom. I like the feel of this international community united by surf.

What's your favourite surf film?

Free and Easy featuring Billy Hamilton and herbie Fletcher in the outer islands. It was long boarding at it's height in about '67.