Santa Teresa Surf School
Santa Teresa Surf School
Santa Teresa Surf School
5
Full view
About
Our school is dedicated to ensuring you have an amazing time during your surf lessons. As you enter the water, the instructor will help catch the spirit of 'Pura Vida'. This is a sport that is ALL about having fun. The lesson will be tailored to ensure you get a great work-out, learn new skills, all with a big smile across your face. Ismael Araya, head instructor, is the national surf champion for the Costa Rican Adaptive Surf Team. Beyond his expert instruction he has a sixth sense for understanding what you need in the water and you will always feel safe, supported and inspired
Similar Experiences
Santa Teresa Surf School
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsContribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
7 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Antony B
2 contributions
May 2017 • Family
This school is run by Ismael Araya, a legendary surfer, by anyone’s standards. He has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met. He gives you the experience in the water that you need. If you want to go slow and build up confidence, he does that. If you want to rage and get all fired up, he will match you, and do that too. My wife and I called him a ‘soul surfer’, meaning he just understood what you needed at any given point.
I can not recommend him enough. I am not a relative or anything, simply a paying customer who really hopes other people get to experience the kind of “pura vida” I found surfing in near perfect conditions in Costa Rica this year.
Finally, that is a picture of me on a wave on the beach in Costa Rica!!!! Ismael is just out of shot cheering me on. I would not have had the confidence to catch it had it not been for Ismael’s school.
Good luck with your surfing adventures!!!
I can not recommend him enough. I am not a relative or anything, simply a paying customer who really hopes other people get to experience the kind of “pura vida” I found surfing in near perfect conditions in Costa Rica this year.
Finally, that is a picture of me on a wave on the beach in Costa Rica!!!! Ismael is just out of shot cheering me on. I would not have had the confidence to catch it had it not been for Ismael’s school.
Good luck with your surfing adventures!!!
Written November 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ShanniDekel
64 contributions
Nov 2017 • Family
Ismael - 8488-1877
Highly recommended!!!!!
Amazing with kids, the perfect surf instructor for families!!
For beginners and advanced surfers
Feel the Pura Vida!!
Highly recommended!!!!!
Amazing with kids, the perfect surf instructor for families!!
For beginners and advanced surfers
Feel the Pura Vida!!
Written November 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elenapr20
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica20 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
I took lessons from Ismael in February and he is an awesome teacher!
Ismael is one of the best teachers you could get, ever. If you surf with him you never want to change again. Not only is he an unbelievably inspiring person and pushes you to do your best, he also is a surf instructor with a lot of knowledge and passion.
He has been teaching people how to surf almost is whole live and now he started his own surf school in Playa Hermosa. So if you get the chance to be visiting this breathtaking beautiful beach you have to take lessons at his school.
You will have fun but also will learn a lot. Ismael is always making sure that everybody enjoys themselves in the water no matter how long it takes him to make you stand up on a perfect wave made for you. Further he not only teaches you this beautiful sport, but so much more about live. For him the experience he offers to his students doesn't stop after surfing. He also spends a lot of his private time with his guests, to show them around the area, go to eat at the best places of Playa Hermosa and Santa Teresa and introduces you to the whole town. So you really get a live like a local feeling with him, too.
At the moment, because he just started his school there is no fixed accommodation for his guests, but I am sure if you are looking for a place to stay he is happy to help you with that.
All in all big recommendation for everybody! He is the perfect instructor for everybody, families, couples, friends or solo travelers.
Ismael is one of the best teachers you could get, ever. If you surf with him you never want to change again. Not only is he an unbelievably inspiring person and pushes you to do your best, he also is a surf instructor with a lot of knowledge and passion.
He has been teaching people how to surf almost is whole live and now he started his own surf school in Playa Hermosa. So if you get the chance to be visiting this breathtaking beautiful beach you have to take lessons at his school.
You will have fun but also will learn a lot. Ismael is always making sure that everybody enjoys themselves in the water no matter how long it takes him to make you stand up on a perfect wave made for you. Further he not only teaches you this beautiful sport, but so much more about live. For him the experience he offers to his students doesn't stop after surfing. He also spends a lot of his private time with his guests, to show them around the area, go to eat at the best places of Playa Hermosa and Santa Teresa and introduces you to the whole town. So you really get a live like a local feeling with him, too.
At the moment, because he just started his school there is no fixed accommodation for his guests, but I am sure if you are looking for a place to stay he is happy to help you with that.
All in all big recommendation for everybody! He is the perfect instructor for everybody, families, couples, friends or solo travelers.
Written August 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brenbacke
Boulder, CO1 contribution
Feb 2018 • Couples
That's what Ish always tells me when I make excuses like, "That one is to big (or steep, or fast, or, or, or). I want the baby ones." He always replies that he won't find me the "baby ones", he'll find me the "best ones". And he does. My husband and I have been surfing with Ish since 2014 and he has been helping us find, catch, and ride the BEST waves. He knows the ocean so well, he can read the waves, and just instinctively knows where to be to have the best day. He has so much positive spirit, loves the ocean and nature, and is just a joy and inspiration to be around.
Written April 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allison D
23 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
I began learning to surf with Ishmael in 2017 and went back to Santa Teresa in 2018 with some friends so they could also learn to surf with Ish too. He is a wonderful coach: affirming, encouraging, upbeat but most of all: he knows his stuff. He doesn't baby you, but teaches you how to work through the waves to the lineup, how to get in position for waves, and more. Everyone I know that has learned with Ish has left surfing real waves. He knows the ocean well and can teach you how to surf, surfer rules, how to read the waves, and how to fight to stay on for your ride. You will really be blessed by working with Ish.
Written March 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lilli V
1 contribution
Nov 2017
I highly recommend Santa Teresa Surf School!
If you are looking for a unique surf experience in Playa Hermosa/Santa Teresa you must surf with Ismael.
He is a lifelong experienced surfer and surf instructor and you can see the ocean is his element.
Ismael made me feel very safe and extremely comfortable in bigger waves, also
I was able to improve my surf skills in just a couple of days.
I could not have done this without him being very patiently,
understanding, professional and always making sure you are safe
and enjoying yourself.
So far this was my most amazing, fun and successful surf experience I have ever had.
I was totally impressed by the way how he makes life and surf easier for you. Ismael teaches groups,
single travelers, couples, kids etc at all levels and always with a great energy, lots of enthusiasm and
a big smile on his face.
I will definitely be back!
Pura Vida pass it on!
If you are looking for a unique surf experience in Playa Hermosa/Santa Teresa you must surf with Ismael.
He is a lifelong experienced surfer and surf instructor and you can see the ocean is his element.
Ismael made me feel very safe and extremely comfortable in bigger waves, also
I was able to improve my surf skills in just a couple of days.
I could not have done this without him being very patiently,
understanding, professional and always making sure you are safe
and enjoying yourself.
So far this was my most amazing, fun and successful surf experience I have ever had.
I was totally impressed by the way how he makes life and surf easier for you. Ismael teaches groups,
single travelers, couples, kids etc at all levels and always with a great energy, lots of enthusiasm and
a big smile on his face.
I will definitely be back!
Pura Vida pass it on!
Written November 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience