Santa Teresa is a lesser known Costa Rican surf spot for beginners. Also—dusty

Santa Teresa: the land of surf, yoga, and smoothie bowls—or so Instagram would have you believe. In this week’s Weekly Pop-Up, we’re breaking down the reality behind the reels. Think long stretches of beach with mellow peaks for beginners, punchy sections when you’re ready to level up, and water so warm you’ll never need a wetsuit. We’ll cover where to surf (Playa Carmen, Santa Teresa, Hermosa), when to go, what hazards to watch for, and why you might need an ATV as much as a surfboard. Plus, all the non-surf essentials—yoga, waterfalls, tacos, and that inevitable coating of dust.