Playa Santa Teresa is the mainstream hub of this stretch, a white-sand beach where lava rock ledges push out and catch the sand to form a run of named peaks. They each break a little differently: Suck Rock throws shallow, fast tubes in front of exposed rock on west-northwest swells, La Lora Amarilla offers long, loping rights in northwest swells and shorter peaks from the southwest, and Casa Cecilia is a fun peak when it's small but gets challenging among the reefy sections once it pushes overhead on a southwest swell.
When It Works
The break works over a mix of uneven reef and sand, and it's a consistent spot that turns hollow at lower tides. It draws swell from south through west-southwest to northwest, with southwest the best direction. Expect both lefts and rights depending on which ledge you line up, and it stays usable from 0.3 m / 1 ft to 3.7 m / 12 ft.
Wind and Tide
Look for a northeast offshore wind. It can work through low, mid, and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
Most of the peaks suit intermediates, but the bigger days and Suck Rock are best left to experienced surfers, who tend to dominate out the back when it's overhead. Expect a busy lineup when it's on, and keep an eye out for rips, urchins, and beginners out of their depth.
Access
As the commercial centre for the area, Santa Teresa has a full spread of surf shops, surf schools, camping, and accommodation to suit most budgets. Parking is free, with roadside options nearby.
