The 5 Best Surf Trips for Solo Travelers

1. Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Blessed with year-round waves and more lodging options than you could experience in a lifetime, Santa Teresa has seen an incredible rise in development and tourism over the past 10 years. The vibe in town can be lively, pulsing even, especially in the peak season months of December through March. Those months can also be home to some of the best surf, with calm to light offshore winds, likely in the mornings, and sometimes they hold all day. Yep, the beach breaks of the Nicoya Peninsula can really look nice when the conditions line up.

The scene on land is quite the experience, too; whether you're into the early morning fitness or bouncing around town late into the night, Santa provides endless opportunities to connect with people. Catching the sunset is a daily ritual, and the beach crowd swells with people enjoying the last rays of light as they surf, play soccer, or just kick back. Locals are easy-going and embody the Pura Vida spirit and the nature and wildlife in the region are worth a visit all on their own.

If you're looking for a good home base to start things off and get a feel for the action, book a room at the House of Somos, and you'll be walking distance to the waves at La Lora and just upstairs from one of the best cafes in town. Evenings at Somos can be loud as they know how to throw a good party, so if you're looking for peace and quiet, look for a place to stay that is off the main street and up the hill. If that's what you're after, then check out the sanctuary that is Bohemia, or if you want a cool hostel then grab a bed or a room at La Posada. Looking for a surf guide? Then hit up Tavo Rio

2. Bali, Indonesia

The Island of the Gods has been on the surf scene since the '70s when adventurous surfers had the waves at Uluwatu and Padang Padang to themselves. A lot has changed since then, and talks of overdevelopment have become more pronounced in recent years, but Bali still makes the list of best surf trips for solo travelers.

The waves may not be uncrowded very often, but there are still enough out there to get your fix; whether you're a beginner looking to learn on gentle waves like Baby Padang or to go up against the best surfers at Keramas, the island has something for you. With so many breaks and year round swells, there are plenty of good waves to be had within reach of your rental scooter. Traffic can be horrendous, so avoiding any travel by car is advised.

The countless bars, cafes, juice shops, restaurants, pool clubs, hostels, homestays, and hotels are all great places to meet other travelers from around the world. All the action may come as a shock if you're coming from the States and you've never been there before. Within a few days, you'll get a feel for the rhythm of things and really fall in love with the Balinese smiles you see everywhere. We recommend staying somewhere on the Bukit Peninsula, have breakfast or lunch at Drifter Cafe and then catch your first sunset and Bintang at the Single Fin, you'll be alright from there. If you find yourself over by Canggu, be sure to check the Deus Temple of Enthusiasm.

3. Barra de la Cruz, Oaxaca

While the surf camps of Salina Cruz get a majority of the attention, staying in Barra is a great call, especially if you're rolling solo. Unlike many places, the community is low-key and has no major hotels or luxurious Airbnbs; a majority of the lodging options are homestays with simple rooms. You just need to catch a 40-minute ride from the Huatulco (HUX) airport, and once you're in Barra, you can walk or hire a tuk-tuk to take you down to the beach for about $2. Rooms are typically from $30-$60 per night, but long stays can be negotiated at better prices, and meals are cheap, too.

The sand-bottomed right point can serve up barrel sections you dream about and is remarkably consistent from May to September, beginners would be best off in the shoulder seasons so either October-December or February-April. The weather is hot, the water is warm, and the cervezas are served mighty cold at El Chontal Restaurant, also home to the best food and Starlink Wi-Fi, right in the heart of town.

If the crowd is too thick at Barra, which it can be, hire a guide to explore one of many other Southern points. If the winds are right, you can head down to Salina Cruz and hit another spot on your way back in the afternoon. Hit up Pablo Narvaez, owner at El Chontal to get the full surf spirit of Oaxaca and learn about the history of town, like when he was hanging with Andy during the 2005 Rip Curl Search (above).

4. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

If quality surf isn't your biggest priority, and caipirinhasand samba sound like a good time, then Rio should not be missed. Sure, there's no shortage of tales of how dangerous Rio is (and they're true), but every day, millions of local cariocas and visiting gringos mix, mingle, and live to see another day. English is widely spoken and you'll be pleasantly surprised by the hospitality of Brazil's second largest city.

There are beach tons of beach breaks with several points, slabs, and novelty waves sprinkled about from Copacabana all the way down to Grumari. For a safe spot close to the best surf, check out Longboard Paradise, and you'll be right on the sand at Praia de Macumba and a short drive from a variety of waves like Prainha.

Once you make some local friends, they'll invite you to different things—say yes and go along for the ride to get the true feel of Rio, you won't regret it. Maybe it's a soccer game at Maracana, a night out in the Lapa district, a carnaval party, or just a Sunday barbeque with their family, cariocas know how to have fun and make you feel welcome too.

5. Taghazout, Morocco

If an exotic culture and an abundance of quality surf is what you seek then Morocco is a great destination to cruise solo, we suggest Taghazout. From there, you'll have an array of waves at your fingertips and not far off from Imsouane and Safi if you decide to strike further afield. A well-timed trip between November to March could have you sipping mint tea after surfing for hours in perfect overhead waves at Anchor Point.

Being such a short trip, Morocco is very popular with European travelers and is a great spot to expand your friend group while feasting on an incredible offering of waves. The costs are reasonable as there are plenty of lodging options from budget to bougie, and delicious local meals can be had at great prices. Cruise to the Taghazout skate park in the afternoons and meet surfers from around the world.