Hotel Meli Melo (Playa Santa Teresa, Costa Rica)

ABOUT THE SURF CAMP

LOCATION AND SURF CONDITIONS

Hotel Meli Melo is located just a few steps from the main surf spot of playa Santa Teresa, this beach break produces a frame consistent peaks.

Santa Teresa is well known as a perfect surf spot consistent all year, it is recognized worldwide as having some of the finest surfing conditions in Costa Rica due to the sub tropical weather.

World class waves, suitable for any degree of surfing experience is provided by a fantastic beach break. All surfers from beginner to professional will find his ride in this portion of the Pacific Ocean. The waves which come from the right and the left make for fast, powerful, hollow rides. With varying swells coming from the north-west, west and south west and with a wind westerly wind direction, the surfing conditions here are absolutely amazing going from glassy morning to offshore afternoon



But also there is an abundance of beach break and reef breaks in the Santa Teresa area and surroundings.

You will have access to Playa Carmen by either walking the beach or get a short bicycle ride, Playa Hermosa is at 20 minutes bicycle ride but really worth the move. 

Lessons are available for all levels; we also offer a wide range of surfboards, body boards and fishing gear for rent, try our rack access where you can change surfboards as much as you want during your stay.

CAMP CHARACTER

Surf Hotel Meli Melo welcomes all kind of surfers, from beginner to advance in a chill atmosphere. Our max capacity is 16 people, which make our place very special and intimate for a better personal guiding. Great for family, friends or couple…

CAMP OPERATOR

Family running hotel. We came in Santa Teresa in 2002 attract by the amazing beach and waves. We set up our family here and we still enjoyed the quality of living in Santa Teresa.

My husband Frederic is a professional surf instructor and an ISA Judge for local surf contest.

ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING

ACCOMMODATION TYPES

Our room has :
- private bathroom with hot shower
- Air Conditioning
- safety deposit box
- private terrace and tropical garden with hammock

We also offer :

- Complimentary coffee
- Free use of our fully equipped kitchen, BBQ is also available.

- Free use of our bycicles (Banana Beach Cruiser..:)

- Surf Lessons from beginner to advanced

- Surfboards rental, all sizes and shapes

- and a 24h/24h personnalized service : activities, tours, car reservation, ...we will be very happy to organized whatever you need !!

SURF COURSE AND ACTIVITIES

SURF COURSE DETAILS

Surf lessons is 45$ per person gear and surfboard included for 2 hours, free surfboards the rest of the day.

Lessons can be done in English, Spanish and French, maximum 3 students per surf instructor.

The instructor will choose the place and schedule depends of the level.

SURF MATERIALS

Beginner will use softop surfboards, and then we provide epoxy shorter boards for all other levels.

Surfboards rental is available on site, between 10$ to 15$ per day according to the surfboard.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Massage on site : 50$ for 1 hour

Yoga, 1min walking distance : 10$ per session

ATV Rental : 60$ for a day

Zipline

Waterfall

Cabo Blanco natural reserve

Sport fishing

Snorkeling

Horseback riding

MORE INFO, HOW TO GET THERE & FAQ

SURF CONDITIONS

Breaks directly at the main spot and at nearby spots

Santa Teresa is well known as a perfect surf spot consistent all year, it is recognized worldwide as having some of the finest surfing conditions in Costa Rica due to the sub tropical weather.

World class waves, suitable for any degree of surfing experience is provided by a fantastic beach break. All surfers from beginner to professional will find his ride in this portion of the Pacific Ocean. The waves which come from the right and the left make for fast, powerful, hollow rides. With varying swells coming from the north-west, west and south west and with a wind westerly wind direction, the surfing conditions here are absolutely amazing going from glassy morning to offshore afternoon

But also there is an abundance of beach break and reef breaks in the Santa Teresa area and surroundings.

You will have access to Playa Carmen by either walking the beach or get a short bicycle ride, Playa Hermosa is at 20 minutes bicycle ride but really worth the move.

Seasonal conditions

Surf all year around in warm water

Crowd factor and local people

High Season in December and January, space for everybody.

SURROUNDINGS / REGION

Characterization of surroundings/region

 Santa Teresa is located in the Peninsula de Nicoya, 6 hours driving from the main city San Jose including 1h30 of ferry ride.

No vaccination needed, safe country

JOURNEY

Ways to get to the camp

BY CAR

We strongly recommend a 4x4 so you can travel worry-free on the Costa Rican roads,especially in the green season. The roads in Costa Rica can be challenging. Also be prepared for an amazing lack of signage to help you along the way !

From San Jose:

There are now two ways to drive to the ferry terminal in Puntarenas.The new Caldera Highway is about an hour faster than the old route via the Interamericana Highway and will cost you about $4 in tolls along the way..

Caldera Highway : Once you leave the airport, follow the road straight, towards San Jose centro and then follow the signs to Escazu. You will eventually pass a Nissan dealership and the large LaSabana Park on your right hand side. Soon after you will get to the traffic-light intersection with a McDonalds on the far left corner and a Universal store on the right; you will take a right hand turn there. This is the new Autopista del Sol Caldera Highway (Highway #27). Stay on this highway, following signs for Caldera and Puntarenas. You will want to take the ferry to Paquera. As ferry times are constantly changing, it is always a good idea to call ahead at 2661-2084 to obtain the most up-to-date ferry times, or ask us to do so close to your travel date.

The “Tambor I” is the smaller 30-car ferry and the “Tambor II” is the larger 170-car ferry. If possible, aim for the Tambor II. Not only is it bigger, but much more comfortable. After the 1-hour and a half scenic ferry ride, you arrive in Paquera. From there you will drive west through Tambor and Cobano, then follow the signs to “Mal País/Santa Teresa”. In the crossroads of town (“Frank’s Place”) you will turn right and follow the main road until Meli Melo Hotel located around 500m north of the soccer field. 
This is about a five-hour trip, not including any wait for the ferry.

Interamericana Way : You will drive northwest along the Interamericana Highway, about two hours until you come to the port town of Puntarenas. You will want to take the ferry to Paquera. As ferry times are constantly changing, it is always a good idea to call ahead at 2661-2084 to obtain the most up-to-date ferry times, or ask us to do so close to your travel date. The “Tambor I” is the smaller 30-car ferry and the “Tambor II” is the larger 170-car ferry. If possible, aim for the Tambor II. Not only is it bigger, but much more comfortable. After the 1-hour and a half scenic ferry ride, you arrive in Paquera. From there you will drive west through Tambor and Cobano, then follow the signs to “Mal País/Santa Teresa”. In the crossroads of town (“Frank’s Place”) you will turn right and follow the main road until Meli Melo Hotel located around 500m north of the soccer field.
This is about a six-hour trip, not including any wait for the ferry.

From Liberia:

You will drive south towards Guardia, then continue to Santa Cruz, Nicoya, towards Carmona, Jicaral, Lepanto, then Playa Naranjo. You will continue along the same road through Paquera, Tambor, then Cobano. Follow the signs to “Mal País/Santa Teresa”. In the crossroads of town (“Frank’s Place”) you will turn right and follow the main road until Meli Melo Hotel located around 500m north of the soccer field.
This is about a five-hour trip.

BY SHUTTLE:

If you would like transport arranged for you by ground, please ask and we will be happy to arrange a shuttle van. These air-conditioned and comfortable tourist mini-buses will pick you up from your hotel in San Jose, and transport you directly to Meli Melo Hotel for a cost around $45/person for a public shuttle (leaves at a set time twice daily in the high season, once daily in the green season).

BY PLANE:

There are two different airlines that offer their services within :

Sansa Airlines
+ (506) 2290-4100 
www.flysansa.com 

Nature Air
Toll Free USA/Canada (800)235-9272 
Reservations +(506) 2299-6000
www.natureair.com

For timetables and prices you can go to their homepages or you can also contact us at the above mentioned email or phone number and we are happy to help you with your reservations. The flight takes about 25 minutes and we can arrange a taxi transfer to Meli Melo Hotel for you from the airstrip at Playa Tambor.

Be sure to leave enough time between your International and your local flight. You may have to spend a night in San Jose or Liberia.

BY PUBLIC BUS:

In San Jose you will have to find the bus station Terminal de bus de San Carlos, 400m al norte de la iglesia la Merced, San Jose, there you will find the direct bus to Santa Teresa / Montezuma. Usually it s leaving twice a day at 6am and 2pm, but please make sure of the timetables the day before calling the 2640 02 19. The bus costs about 15 usd until Meli Melo Hotel including ferry pass.

Please regard the above mentioned prices only as a guidance, we can not guarantee these prices, since they can always be subject to change.

PACKAGES & PRICES

PACKAGE A THE SURFPACKAGE - from 330$ per Week / Person

This package includes:

The Meli Melo Hotel has designed for the one who wants to discover surfing or improved their skills, a special surfing package which include the following:

* 5 nights lodging at Meli Melo hotel
* 4 surf lessons of 2 hours each with our professional ISA instructor, board and gear included
* full access to the hotel surf quiver to follow practicing surf
* 1 massage of 1 hour

Price per person not included tax: from 330usd for a 5 nights package depending on your arrival date, please contact us for a personalized cotizacion or a shorter/ longer stay.

PACKAGE B ONLY ACCOMODATION - from 45$ per Night / Person

This package includes:

* Accomodation at Meli Melo hotel