GRLSWIRL Surf Skate Retreat in Costa Rica 2026

Santa Teresa sits on the southern tip of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, right on the Pacific coast. It’s a tiny beach town wrapped in jungle, famous for its waves, slow-living vibes, beautiful sunsets, and that magical “pura vida” energy everyone falls in love with.

You can fly into San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR) airports. We go over the options in the next question, but just so you know: depending on your schedule and budget, you can reach the venue by a short flight, by ferry and road, or completely by road.

Take a 30-minute domestic flight from San José to Cobano (Costa Rica Green Airways or Sansa Airlines), and then a 30-minute taxi ride to Santa Teresa ($45, up to 4 people).

You can take a door-to-door shuttle from San José with companies like Tropical Tours. Here’s how it works:

1. Pick-up in San José → 1.5–2 hrs drive to Puntarenas

2. Ferry ride → 1.5 hrs

3. Another van meets you → 1.5 hrs to Santa Teresa

• 💰 Approx. $50 per person

• 🧳 Includes all legs (shuttle → ferry → shuttle)

It’s slower than flying but more affordable and a nice way to see the countryside.

Absolutely! Once your booking is confirmed, our team can help coordinate taxis, shuttles, or flights to make your journey smooth and stress-free.

Check-in: from 3 pm

Check-out: from 10 am

No, we don’t offer a lodging-only option. Our retreats are fully immersive surfing and community experiences, and a big part of the magic comes from everyone sharing the same space and really dropping into the journey together.

We highly encourage you to bring your own skateboard for the retreat, even if you’re a complete beginner. learning on your board from day one helps you build confidence, muscle memory, and familiarity that you can keep practicing with once you’re back home.

We also recommend bringing your own helmet and pads to make sure you have the perfect fit and the right protection throughout the trip. 

And if you’re thinking of upgrading your gear before coming, you can use the code AWA30 for 30% off all GRLSWIRL equipment.

None at all! This retreat is designed for women of every level, from total beginners to more advanced riders. Our experienced coaches personalize each lesson so you’ll grow at your own pace, feel supported, and have the best time no matter where you’re starting from.

We offer one coached surf-skate session per day, usually around 2–2.5 hours. You’ll also have access to all the skate equipment for free skating anytime you’d like throughout the week.

None at all! This retreat is designed for women of every level, from total beginners to more advanced riders. Our experienced coaches personalize each lesson so you’ll grow at your own pace, feel supported, and have the best time no matter where you’re starting from.

No problem at all! Our retreat is perfect for beginners, and so are these beaches. Our surf coaches will start with the basics and guide you step by step, teaching you everything you need to feel safe, confident, and ready to catch your very first wave.

No need! We provide all the necessary surf equipment, including boards, leashes and wax. However, if you have your own gear and feel more comfortable using it, you're welcome to bring it along*.

*Take in consideration that you wont be able to take the domestic flight with boards over 7' so in that case you'll have to travel via land.

You’ll have one coached surf session each morning, usually around 2 hours, for a total of 4 coached sessions during the week. You’re also welcome to free surf anytime you’d like, and all surf equipment will be available for you daily.

Not at all! The majority of our guests come solo, and our retreats are carefully curated as supportive and inclusive experiences for everyone. You'll have plenty of opportunities to connect with other like-minded women and most likely build friendships and bonds that will last a lifetime. 

A lot of our first-time guests are concerned about this! 

Our retreat welcomes women of all ages, starting from 18 and up. To give you an idea, about 80% of our guests are between 25 and 55 years old. We love witnessing the diversity and unique perspectives and experience that each guests brings to the group. We have created an inclusive environment that ensures that everyone feels valued and empowered, regardless of age.

We host a maximum of 14 guests in this experience.

We promise you’ll have an epic time. "It’s truly amazing and hard to put into words", our guests say...If you are feeling the call, just do it, let go of any expectations and let us host you during the time of your life!

Yes! Costa Rica is known as the safest country in Central America and is a favorite spot for first-time solo travelers.

The vibe is relaxed, the locals are kind, and the places we visit are super welcoming.

Like anywhere in the world, it’s still important to use common sense: keep valuables tucked away, put your phone away when you’re not using it, leave fancy jewelry at home, and avoid isolated areas, especially at night.

Stick with your group and you’ll feel totally safe, supported, and wrapped in pura vida energy the whole time.

Costa Rica’s local currency is colones, but most tourism businesses happily accept US dollars and cards. ç

There are ATMs in the area, and you can also exchange USD for colones at many grocery stores.

If you’re traveling from outside the US, we recommend pulling out cash from an ATM or exchanging your money outside the airport, as airport exchange rates are usually the highest.

This depends on personal preferences but honestly not much as its super easy to pull out money from a local ATM. 

Here are a few things you might need cash money for:

- Local souvenirs for friends and family.

- Tips. While tipping is not mandatory in Costa Rica, it is highly appreciated and to the discretion of each traveller. If you want to tip, we will collect cash money for surf coaches, cleaning or cooking staff members.

This experience covers most of what you truly need, so extra expenses are minimal unless you want to treat yourself or add something special. We’ll also enjoy a few dinners out in town so you can explore Santa Teresa’s buzzing food scene — these meals are not included.

Here are the most common expenses guests usually have:

    •    Dinners Out: We’ll head into town a few nights to try Santa Teresa’s amazing restaurants.

    •    Photography Package: Our talented artists join select in-water surf sessions (usually 3–4 per week) to capture your most magical salty memories.

    •    Optional Private Surf Session ($150): On the final day there’s a free surf for independent surfers. If you prefer guidance, we can arrange a private session with an instructor.

    •    Massage ($100).

    •    AWA Tee ($40).

    •    Alcoholic beverages.

    •    Shopping: Santa Teresa is full of chic, beautiful boutiques — beachwear, jewelry, art, natural beauty products, local coffee, and unique designers. You’ll definitely want to browse a few of our favorites.

Yes, we intentionally build in downtime for relaxation and reflection. You can spend your free time exploring the local area, enjoying optional activities, or simply unwinding on the beach or by the pool.

While we cant control the weather, we do our best to adapt to changing conditions Our experienced hostesses and coaches will adjust the schedule and activities accordingly to ensure you have a fun and safe experience, both in and out of the water.