SURF SEASTERS

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 10 guests in this experience.

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. 

None! Our retreat is designed for women of all surf levels, from beginners to advanced surfers. Our team of experienced surf coaches will tailor personalized lessons to meet your individual needs.

No problem at all! Our retreat is perfect for beginners and so are these beaches. Our team of surf coaches will start with the basics, teaching you everything you need to know to catch your first wave safely and confidently. 

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.

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. 

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.

This AWA Villa is located in Playa Hermosa, Mal Pais, on the south western coast of the Nicoya Peninsula, about 10 minutes north of Santa Teresa. Find below the detailed information on how to get to us from your preferred international airport.

PLANE

There are currently two domestic airlines providing daily flights from San José and Liberia to our closest local airport: Cóbano. The flight is approximately 30 minutes and it costs something between $100-$130. 

We recommend Costa Rica Green Airways which operates out of the separate domestic airport, a five-minute walk from San Jose's main terminal (SJO). As they operate out of a different airport, you are not connecting, instead, you’ll first need to go through Immigration and collect your luggage. Upon leaving Arrivals, walk straight ahead to the main boulevard, turn left, and you will see the Domestic Terminal located 500 feet ahead. If in doubt, an airport official will be able to point you in the right direction. Book here: CR Green Air

The AWA team will arrange your airport transfers to make your arrival and departure seamless. Upon landing, your driver will be waiting with a sign displaying your name, and you’ll enjoy a short 30-minute ride to the villa.

Whenever possible, we’ll also coordinate shared rides with other guests arriving at similar times.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The above plane option won’t work for those who are travelling with surfboards bigger than 7’0.

PUBLIC SHUTTLE

We include roundtrip public shuttle transportation to the villa from either San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR) airports. These shuttles depart daily at 6:30am from San José and 9:00am from Liberia. An additional 3:00pm departure is available from both airports, though it requires a minimum of 4 passengers and doesn’t always run daily. The journey takes about 5 hours from either airport and includes a scenic ferry crossing and driver change in Paquera (if traveling from San José).

If these shuttle times don’t align with your flight itinerary and you prefer a different schedule, we’ll be happy to assist in arranging a private shuttle at an additional cost.

Check-in is at 3PM.

Check-out is at 11AM.

No. We host fully immersive retreats and surfing progression experience so we encourage everyone to share the same space and that way deeply drop into the whole experience.

This experience is all-inclusive so you really dont need to pay for much unless you want to take it to the next level. Here are a few things that most of our guests end up spending on:

- Photography Package: Our talented artists will be present for select in-water surf sessions (typically 3-4 sessions per week) to capture the most amazing salty memories of your life!

- Optional Private Surf Session ($150). On the final day, we offer a free surf session for independent surfers. If you’d prefer a guided session, we can arrange a private surf with an instructor. This is not included in the standard retreat package.

- Massage ($100).

- AWA Tee ($40).

- Shopping! Santa Teresa is known for its beautiful, chic and stylish boutiques with products and designers from all places. Beach outfits, jewelry, art, bathing suits, natural beauty products, local coffee. No doubts you'll want to hit some of our favorite local stores while visiting Santa Teresa.

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.

Most tourism businesses accept US dollars and cards. There are ATM's available in the area. You can also exchange your USD for colones (local currency) at most grocery stores.

If you are coming from a country outside of the US, we recommend exchanging your money outside of the airport as the airport charges the highest exchange fee.

While Costa Rica is the safest country in Central America - and therefore a perfect destination for first-time solo travelers - it's always important to use common sense.

Tuck away valuables when you're in public, put your phone away when you're not using it, and leave your nice jewelry at home. Always know where you're going, avoid isolated areas, and stick with a group when you're out at night.

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!