Costa Rica is one of the World’s best surf destinations. The Central American nation boasts incredible waves for all abilities, from perfect reef breaks and death-defying slabs to perfect points and dreamy beachies. Oh, and enough beginner-friendly bays to surf in a lifetime. Throw in a tropical climate, incredible nature and wildlife, and abundant non-surfing activities, and you have the perfect surf destination. The downside? Well, it’s not one of the cheapest surf destinations on earth.
But don’t let Costa Rica’s high prices and living costs put you off, as the waves are still epic, and it’s a must-visit surf trip destination! So how do I surf in Costa Rica on a budget, I hear you ask? Well, thankfully, there are some affordable accommodation options. Hostels are your new best friend when on a budget surf trip to Costa Rica, and to make your trip easier, here are the best surf hostels in Costa Rica! I’ve broken things down region by wave-soaked region…
Table of Contents
Costa Rica’s Best Surf Hostels - Listed
- Selina Santa Teresa
- La Posada
- Akih Pods
- Selina Jaco
- Jaco Inn
- Nosara Beach Hostel
- Selina Nosara
- Bonga
- Selina Tamarindo
- Pueto Viejo Surf Hostel
- Selina Puerto Viejo
The Best Surf Hostels in Costa Rica
Best Surf Hostels in Nicoya
- Dorm Price: $27 per night
- Best For: Surfing Digital Nomads
- Surf Lessons: Yes
- Wifi: Excellent
- Vibe: Lively
Santa Teresa is one of Costa Rica’s best beach towns, with countless beachies and all with great waves. We’re talking clean white sands, a healthy crop of backpackers, surf shops, bars, restaurants, and consistently fun waves year-round. Selina (North & South) are two excellent hostels in Santa Teresa.
Part of the global hostel network, Selina Santa Teresa is custom-made for surfing digital nomads and has everything you need for scoring waves, getting work done, and meeting other surfers, surrounded by the comfort and small luxuries of home. Prices start from $27 per night.
- Dorm Price: $23 per night
- Best For: Female travellers
- Surf Lessons: Yes
- Wifi: Good
- Vibe: Relaxed
La Posada is one of the best places to stay in Costa Rica, a beautiful hostel amid a beautiful jungle/beach setting. If you’re looking to surf in Santa Teresa, Posada puts you in the spot to do it with a kitchen, pool, bar, and a great but relaxed atmosphere. Prices for dorm rooms at Posada start at $23. Privates are also available.
- Dorm Price: $28
- Best For: Budget Travellers
- Surf Lessons: No
- Wifi: Ok
- Vibe: Lively/Party
Akih Pods hostel is a fantastic budget option for staying and surfing in Santa Teresa. It’s one of the most affordable spots to stay and is only a few minutes walk from the waves! As the name suggests, your bed is a “Tokyo-style” pod in a small room that leads into a corridor, communal kitchen, chill space, and garden. Oh, and there’s a shaded deck for prepping boards and stretching out! Akih Pods is where I stayed on my 10-day trip to Santa Teresa. Social and affordable! Prices start at $28 for dorms.
Best Surf Hostels in Puntarenas
- Dorm Price: $16 per night
- Best For: Beginners & Digital Nomads
- Surf Lessons: Yes
- Wifi: Excellent
- Vibe: Lively
Selina hostels are common across Costa Rica; you’ll find one in most major surf towns. They are my go-to hostel for anywhere I travel, and although I didn’t visit the Jaco property, I imagine it’s equally as great as others in the country. Selina Jaco offers privates and dorms, great wifi, and wicked chill-out areas and puts you in the middle of town at one of Costa Rica’s best beginner surf spots.
- Dorm Price: $24
- Best For: Beginners
- Surf Lessons: Yes
- Wifi: Ok
- Vibe: Lively
Jaco Inn is the best option in town for the cheapest stay in Jaco and the perfect surf hostel for a beginner surfer. Close to everything in town, you’ll have access to the mellow beach break out front and be only a few minute’s drive from Playa Hermosa, a thumping beachie with barrels for days! Great for advanced surfers. Prices for dorms start at $24.
Best Surf Hostels Nosara
- Dorm Price: $20 per night
- Best For: Beginners/Anyone
- Surf Lessons: No
- Wifi: Ok
- Vibe: Chill
Nosara is a fantastic beginner surf spot in Costa Rica, and the Nosara Beach Hostel puts you a stone’s throw from the action at Playa Guiones! Comprised of cabins each room has a common area, bathroom, kitchen, and dinning room. Whats more, the place is surrounded by gardens with hammocks and chill space.
- Dorm Price: $27
- Best For: Surfing Digital Nomads
- Surf Lessons: Yes
- Wifi: Excellent
- Vibe: Lively
Another in the Selina chain; you can see the theme here, right? Selina Nosara is no different; close to a wicked beginner break, great wifi, a healthy flow of young travelers passing through, a workspace, and affordable rates. What more do you want from a Costa Rica surf hostel?
Best Surf Hostels Tamarindo
- Dorm Price: $20 per night
- Best For: Anyone
- Surf Lessons: No
- Wifi: Excellent
- Vibe: Lively
If you’re looking for a bank balance-friendly spot to surf and stay in Tamarindo, look no further. Bonga Hostel is one of the best and most fairly priced hostels in Costa Rica. An excellent spot for intermediates! Tamarindo has a great blend of fun beach break waves that walk the line between beginner and intermediate-friendly.
- Dorm Price: $18 per night
- Best For: Surfing Digital Nomads
- Surf Lessons: Yes
- Wifi: Excellent
- Vibe: Lively
Yep, I know this post is a little Selina-heavy, and although I’m no more affiliated with them than any other hostel on this list, Selina Tamarindo has that perfect combination of nice dorms, workspace, price, and vibe—the true digital nomad surf hostel–unbeatable.
Best Surf Hostels Limon
- Dorm Price:
- Best For: Surfing Digital Nomads
- Surf Lessons: Yes
- Wifi: Excellent
- Vibe: Lively
If you’re chasing big barrels on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, Puerto Viejo Surf Hostel gives you a bed and hub to base your chase form. While not as consistent as some of Costa Rica’s other best breaks, Puerto Viejo is home to Salsa Brava-a heaving slab that only awakens a few times per year. Time it right, and you can score one of the country’s best waves! Puerto Viejo Surf Hostel puts you within walking distance of the mythical beast!
- Dorm Price: $15 per night
- Best For: Surfing Digital Nomads
- Surf Lessons: Yes
- Wifi: Excellent
- Vibe: Lively
Another epic Selina hostel that puts you right in the thick of things in the lively Puerto Viejo. Selina Puerto Viejo is a wicked digital nomad/surf hostel with everything you need to get waves and work done while surfing in Puerto Viejo.
Costa Rica Surf Hostels - Final Thoughts
The waves and weather of Costa Rica are no secret, and although prices have skyrocketed in recent years, don’t let it put you off! Costa Rica has more than its fair share of affordable surf hostels; now you know some of the best. If you’ve been to Costa Rica and stayed in any great hostels, please let me know in the comments below, and I’ll add them to the list.
Please note although I review and research these accommodations fairly, I receive a small commission when you book through my links. However, this is at no extra cost to you, and you will find all these hostels on Boking.com and Hostelworld.
Enjoyed this post? You might like my complete guide to surfing in Costa Rica, or full breakdowns from around the country. Check out the guide to surfing in Dominical, Santa Teresa, Pavones and Puerto Viejo.
