01intermediatePlaya Carmen
beach breakMost consistent · busiest
The main break in town. Lefts and rights on the sand bottom. Crowded at dawn in dry season.
Best tide · Mid-to-high
Santa Teresa · Surfing
The wave,in real time.
Three breaks within walking distance, year-round consistency, and a wave for every level. Below — what's happening in the water right now.
The breaks
Four waves, four moods.
Three beach breaks and one quieter point south at Mal País. Pick by walking up or down the sand.
- 01intermediate
02beginnerPlaya Santa Teresa
beach breakFriendliest · most lessons here
Wider, more forgiving peaks. Most surf schools meet here. Sand bottom, room to fail.
Best tide · Mid
03allPlaya Hermosa
beach breakLonger, lazier · longboards welcome
Ten minutes north by car. Slower, longer waves. Mantaraya Café for post-surf breakfast.
Best tide · Mid-to-high
04intermediatePlaya Mal País
point breakRight-hander · quieter, more local
Quieter point break to the south. The wave is more racy, the lineup more local. Respect the etiquette.
Best tide · Mid
Ten minutes from the lineup
Board on the rack.ATV at the gate.
Casa Calyx sits ten minutes above Playa Santa Teresa, with a foamie/shortboard/longboard delivered to the villa and a Michael Streik ATV waiting on arrival. Dawn patrol is two minutes from leaving the door.
A note from the lineup
“Dawn patrol is sacred. The wind comes up by ten. By noon it's a different ocean.”
— Every local surfer, when asked
Before you paddle out
Earn your peak.
Two short lists from years of watching new arrivals figure it out the slow way.
Etiquette
- 01Watch the lineup for five minutes before you paddle out.
- 02The person closest to the peak has priority. If you drop in, apologize. Then don't do it again.
- 03Locals are local. Respect their lineup, give waves, and you'll get them back.
- 04Reef-safe sunscreen, always. The ocean here is shared.
What to bring
- Tropical wax — water's warm year-round
- Rash guard or surf shirt — equatorial sun moves fast
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Dry bag if you're carrying a phone or key
- Bandana + goggles for the ATV ride down (dusty road)
Extras
Surf-ready extras.
Board waiting at the villa. ATV at the gate. Mention either in your booking inquiry.
$30–80 / day
ATV Rental
Most guests get one. Easiest way to move.
We coordinate with Michael Streik — trusted local. ATV waiting at the villa on arrival; daily and weekly rates. Bring a bandana and goggles.
From $15 / day
Surfboard Rental
Have it ready when you wake up.
Foamie, performance shortboard, or longboard delivered to the villa for the length of your stay. Pair with our ATV upsell to actually transport it.
$10 / load
Laundry
Per-load, picked up and returned.
We handle laundry on request — drop a bag, get it back same- or next-day, clean and folded.
Request any of these in your booking inquiry or via Airbnb message after you reserve.
Questions
Surfing FAQ
Can a beginner surf in Santa Teresa?
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Yes. Playa Santa Teresa and Playa Hermosa both have sand-bottomed, forgiving sections where most lessons start. Skip Playa Carmen on day one — the lineup is busy and the wave is more demanding.
Do you rent boards at the villa?
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Yes. We arrange a foamie, performance shortboard, or longboard delivered to the villa for the length of your stay. From $15/day. Ask in your inquiry or message us after booking.
How far is the closest break from Casa Calyx?
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About a ten-minute walk down the mountain road. Most guests rent an ATV in town (we arrange this) for transporting boards and exploring further breaks.
When is the best season to surf?
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Dry season (Dec–April) has cleaner offshore mornings and bigger crowds. Green season (May–Nov) brings bigger swells, fewer people, and warm afternoon rain. Dawn is best in either season.
Can I take a lesson?
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Yes. Believe Surf + Yoga and several others run daily group and private classes. Most include board, rash guard, and ~90 minutes of instruction.
Stay where the surf starts