Blue Surf Sanctuary — Hotel in Cóbano

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Blue Surf Sanctuary in Costa Rica for a week, and I can't express just how incredible my experience was. From the moment I arrived, Rafa, the property manager, went above and beyond to ensure my stay was nothing short of perfect. He even helped me arrange transportation from Liberia airport, making my journey to this beautiful paradise as smooth as possible.

Rafa also provided me with a detailed list of local dining spots and recommended the most breathtaking beaches to visit, making it easy to explore the best of Santa Teresa. The moment I stepped onto the property, I was struck by how clean and impeccably styled it was. Every aspect of this place has been carefully thought out, and the harmonious color scheme creates a serene atmosphere.

The highlight of the sanctuary for me was the stunning pool and how quiet it was. It was a refreshing oasis where I could unwind and soak in the Costa Rican sun. But what truly sets the Blue Surf Sanctuary apart is its exceptional staff. Doris, the housekeeper, is an absolute gem. Her charm and sense of humor brightened my mornings, and the incredible coffee she prepared was the perfect start to my day.

As a self-proclaimed beach lover, I can confidently say that the Blue Surf Sanctuary and Santa Teresa stole my heart. Now, let's talk about the surfing aspect. I never thought I'd take a surfing lesson because I'm not the most athletic person. However, fate had other plans when I met Toro, their in-house surfing instructor. Toro exuded confidence from the moment we met, and his encouragement gave me the push I needed to give it a try.

I booked a lesson with Toro, initially just to have fun and see how I felt. To my amazement, he not only made me feel comfortable in the water but also taught me to catch some waves. His clear and patient instructions made me feel at ease, and I ended up booking another session the following day, where I managed to catch 40 waves! I never imagined that I could enjoy surfing so much.

The way Toro taught me not only gave me newfound confidence but also ignited a passion for surfing. I now plan to return to the Blue Surf Sanctuary yearly (or even more frequently if I can manage it) to continue honing my skills and experiencing the magic of this place.

In summary, the Blue Surf Sanctuary is a piece of paradise on Earth, offering a harmonious blend of beauty, serenity, and adventure. The attentive staff, pristine surroundings, and exceptional surfing experience make it a must-visit destination. I highly recommend this sanctuary to anyone seeking an unforgettable escape...

My wife and I stayed in Mal Pais in 2004 and have been eager to return to the Nicoya Peninsula ever since. We found a great place in Blue Surf Sanctuary. We stayed for five days before meeting extended family in Jaco, where we booked a house for a family vacation. We had a great time in Jaco but Santa Teresa is next level chill, from outstanding restaurants to close, remote beaches to the welcoming and friendly nature of everyone we met. Laleska and Maykol (apologies if I misspelled!) were so helpful and friendly, from restaurant recommendations, help with ATV and surfboard rentals, to general conversation about the the area. When Laleska found out my son loved skateboarding, she offered to find a board and show him the skatepark (next time for sure! Surfing and wandering took up our time :) Our son, ever attached to the hip these days with COVID, etc., felt comfortable to walk down to talk or hang out by the common kitchen area while we were gathering things to head out (and we totally felt comfortable with him doing so - they were great with him and us). Leading up to our trip, Kelly and staff were incredibly helpful, quickly answering questions and helping with some last minute accommodations. I made a separate recommendation for surf lessons with Toro but he was outstanding with our son (and me). Our son popped right up and Toro gave me tips that really helped shake off the rust. By the time we got to Jaco, we were both catching waves left and right. I noticed some comments about the noise. Yes, the bungalows are right by the road. There was road construction one night and you do hear vehicles. However, it is near the end of Santa Teresa, where there are way less vehicles. Additionally, it's such a quick and easy walk to the beach (and Rocamar - SUPER friendly staff, great vibes and quality delicious food right on the beach). We love the place, location and friendships we made. We've already been talking to friends about renting all four bungalows and taking over the fun compound! I should have mentioned, we also love the communal open kitchen handout...

I made the mistake, I'm writing the review, rent elsewhere.

This review is for the surfboard rental service, not the lodging.

Also up front I will acknowledge that I signed the contract fair and square so that financial responsibility fully falls on me is NOT the issue. These are not quality boards available here. I rented a board, paddled out, went under a wave on my way to the line up, the board snapped in half AND the leash snapped leaving me to swim back to shore through the surf. Not to blame Blue Surf for mother nature, but this was a small wave not a "board-breaking" size wave. The board snapped along a previous, and apparently poorly, done repair. So poorly done in fact, upon reviewing photos, they were unable to tell it had been repaired at all. And I don't know how old the leash must have been to snap the way it did. Luckily I am an experienced surfer, and was able to swim back under my own strength. Pablo who helped me rent the board, tried to be as helpful as he could, but I could tell his hands were tied. I can't fault him. He said it was up to "his bosses in Miami" and essentially beyond his discretion. He said not to worry because they know it's not a brand new board and "sh*t happens". So because of the rules he had to keep my ID while he waited for an estimate for the repair, and lo and behold I was on the hook for several hundred dollars (USD) for a new board to replace the old one they had already attempted to repair. Then I had to wait longer for my ID while his bosses in Miami created and invoice that I could pay with my CC. It felt a little bit like they used the rental contract as an opportunity to buy a brand new board on me, which of course was their full right to do. Hopefully they don't use that money to repair the board again and keep the extra. But, to be fair to blue surf sanctuary, there's no way they could know any of this. For all they know I could have walked the board out to the beach leaned it against a log and...