Packing for a surf trip to Costa Rica involves decisions that most general travel packing guides don't cover: whether to bring your own board, how much sun protection is actually enough, what you need for a wellness-focused camp, and what you absolutely do not need to bring because it is cheaper and better to buy or rent on arrival.
This list is based on what our guests consistently wish they had packed — and what they consistently left in their bags untouched.
Surfboards: To Bring or Not?
This is the first question, and the answer depends on your level.
Leave your board at home if:
- You are a beginner or early intermediate (up to about 1 year of surfing)
- You are not particular about the specific board you ride
- You are trying to avoid airline board bag fees ($50–150 each way)
Good surf camp rental quivers are stocked with quality boards across all sizes and shapes. A beginner learning on a clean 9' longboard from the local quiver will progress faster than a beginner on their own borrowed 7'6" that doesn't suit the conditions.
Bring your board if:
- You are an intermediate or advanced surfer who performs best on a specific board
- You have a board that suits Santa Teresa's beach break conditions (a step-up shortboard, a groveler, or a high-performance longboard)
- You have already been to Santa Teresa and know what you will want
If you bring a board:
- Invest in a quality board bag with padding
- Carry your fins in your hand luggage
- Remove the fins for the flight
- Declare the board at check-in — most airlines have specific surfboard policies
Sun Protection
Do not underestimate the equatorial sun. Costa Rica sits at 10° north latitude, and the UV index regularly reaches 11+ (extreme). Guests who arrive with insufficient sun protection almost universally wish they had packed more.
Bring:
- Reef-safe sunscreen: At least 400ml per person per week. Bring more than you think you need — it is expensive in Santa Teresa. Look for mineral formulas (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) rather than chemical filters, both for your skin and for the ocean.
- Long-sleeve rash guard (UPF 50+): The single most effective sun protection for surfing. Better than sunscreen for extended sessions. Bring 2 so one is always dry.
- Buff/neck gaiter: For paddling in direct sun, particularly on longer sessions.
- Boardshorts with UPF rating: Regular boardshorts offer essentially no UV protection. Look for rated shorts.
- Wide-brim hat: For any time you are out of the water.
- Sunglasses with UV400 protection: For beach time and travel.
Clothing
Santa Teresa is casual. There is no formal dining and no dress code anywhere. Pack light.
Bring:
- 5–7 pairs of boardshorts or bikinis (they take time to dry in humid conditions)
- 3–4 lightweight t-shirts or tank tops
- 1–2 pairs of light pants or linen trousers (for cooler evenings or travel days)
- 1 light long-sleeve layer (evenings can be cooler, particularly in green season)
- Comfortable sandals (flip-flops or Chacos)
- 1 pair of closed-toe shoes for hikes or excursions
- Workout clothes for yoga (2–3 sets)
- Light rain jacket or packable poncho (essential in green season)
Leave at home:
- Formal clothing of any kind
- Jeans (too hot and heavy when wet)
- Excessive footwear
Surf-Specific Gear
Most of this can be rented or purchased in Santa Teresa, but bringing your own saves money:
Bring:
- Wax (water temperature is warm, so tropical wax — Sticky Bumps Warm or equivalent)
- A traction pad if you use one
- Leash (check the plug fits your board)
- Reef booties only if surfing rocky breaks (not necessary for Santa Teresa's main beaches)
- Earplugs (surfer's ear is real — if you surf regularly, use them)
Wellness and Health
Bring:
- Prescription medications in original packaging (with a copy of the prescription)
- Basic first aid: antiseptic cream, bandages, blister pads
- Stomach medication (traveler's diarrhea is not common in Santa Teresa but can happen)
- Electrolyte tablets or powder (you sweat significantly in tropical surf)
- Personal probiotics if you are sensitive to dietary changes
- Insect repellent with DEET or Picaridin (mosquitoes are present, particularly at dawn and dusk)
Electronics
Bring:
- Universal power adapter (Costa Rica uses US plugs, so no adapter needed for US visitors)
- Dry bag or waterproof case for your phone on the beach
- GoPro or similar action camera if you want water footage (optional — the camp can film sessions)
- Power bank for day trips away from accommodation
- Headphones for travel days
Leave at home:
- Your laptop if you are genuinely trying to disconnect (most camps have WiFi if you need it for a specific task)
- Anything you would be genuinely upset about losing or breaking
Documents and Money
Bring:
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond travel dates)
- Travel insurance documentation — specifically, verify it covers water sports
- Printed copies of accommodation bookings
- Some US dollars (widely accepted alongside colones)
- Debit card with low foreign transaction fees (ATMs in Cobano charge ~$5 per withdrawal)
What to Buy When You Arrive
Some things are readily available and better purchased locally:
- Coconut water and fresh fruit (market prices)
- Reef-safe sunscreen if you forgot (more expensive than at home but available)
- Basic clothing and flip-flops (there are good surf shops in town)
- Yoga mat (if you don't have one — the camp provides them but some guests like having their own)
- Hammock (a great investment for $20–30 from local vendors)
The One Thing Most Guests Forget
Extra leash strings. They cost almost nothing, they snap at the worst possible moment, and they are surprisingly hard to find in Santa Teresa. Bring four or five and you will never be stranded on the beach with a snapped leash.
Pack light, bring good sun protection, and trust that Santa Teresa will provide everything else you actually need.