anyone been to either of these? my fiance and I want to spend 2-3 weeks there. we're in our mid-30's and are not into the party scene. also wondering what the weather will be like there is June. any info would be greatly appreciated.

I thought they were the same place, but I could be wrong!

Have you considered Nosara? There you'll find Corky Carroll Surf School (www.surfschool.net). My kids took lessons there. The instructors were great, the surf was fantastic. If you're just looking to rent a board, they might do that. You can also rent at Nosara Surf and at Coconut Harry's. Some of the hotels there will also rent boards. My wife, daughters and I loved Nosara.

LA FadeAway,
You are right. Santa Teresa and Mal Pais are so side by side they do tend to be the same place! As you come down the hill from Cobano toward the beach, you come to a crossroads (with Frank's Place on your right). Left takes you to the Mal Pais beach and hotels, right takes you to the Santa Teresa beach and hotels (more of them in Sta. Teresa)! When you drive along the road that parallels these two beaches, one just runs right into another.

There is no Sabta teresa surf camp that I know if either. There is only the Mal Pais Surf Camp and it's a great place. It is somewhat of a party place though. My husband and I were in our early 40's when we stayed there a night a couple years ago. We had beed staying at Tropico Latino (for $65 in the 'green' season) but they were booked the last night so we went to the Surf Camp. We actually had a good time there even though we were older than the other guest, as there really is no other nightlife in the area.
We LOVE Nosara too and that is a great suggestion from Americano if you're not set on Mal Pais.

Santa Teresa Surf Camp is new. Began operations in December 2003. It consists of five fully equipped beachfront cabinas with stove, fridge, ceiling fans and eating and cooking utensils. The camp is located 3 km north of Frank's place at the cross-roads. Santa Teresa Surf Camp is in Santa Teresa Beach not in Mal Pais. Best surfing is in Santa Teresa. You can rent a cabina or simply rent a bed in shared cabinas. The Camp also has a terrific Spanish School and great surf instructors and it is right on the beach, other camps are not and you have to walk a long way or ride a car to get to the surfing spots. In Santa Teresa Surf Camp you just step out of your cabina and go surfing.

great- thanks for the info. We've decided to go there, however, can't seem to get in touch with them. Do you think it's a mistake to just show up? Is there a good back up place to stay near there if they don't have room? Thanks for any advice!

We liked Tropico Latino. They have a couple of new cabinas on the beach. One in front of the other, so the front one, of course, offers the best view. We loved it! Everything was just right there in front of us. Of course there are a couple of VERY deluxe options on up the road to the north (Milarepa and Florablanca), but we weren't looking to spend that much! Our beachfront was $95 tax included. AND it was close to the main part of town. Santa Teresa. . ..

thanks for the suggestion, however, we're going for a whole month and trying to keep our budget down. Santa Teresa surf camp is about $40 a night, so suggestions in that range would be great, whether in santa teresa, or in other good surfing areas.

I don't think you'd have any problems just showing up in June, but if you know you want to stay at the surf camp, why not make a reservation? Just curious. If you do decide to 'wing it' you'll be able to find something.
The 'wanna surf' web site suggest Zeneida's for accommodations. It's near the surf camp and cost $30. Others are Funky Monkey Lodge at about $33 and Luz de Luna also at $30. Their web site says prices for longer stays are negotiable.
Check out:

http://malpais.net/maparea4.htm

This is a great interactive map that shows where all those places are and many others.
Also look at :
//accom.malpais.net/
A good site for many hotels web sites in that area.

excellent- great info. If I could get in touch with the santa teresa surf camp, I'd be happy to make a reservation, but they're not making it so easy. guess that's what you get for $35 a night! I'll check out the other places you recommend. thanks again for the valuable info.

For Santa Teresa Surf Camp:

www.costaricasurfcamp.net is the address. You can reserve through the internet. Also telephone 506 640-0049

Good luck