cafecito means little coffee... why we called our surf school and hostel cafecito surf

When we picked the name Cafecito Surf, it wasn’t just a cute nod to beach café vibes. The word cafecito means “little coffee” in Spanish — but for us, it carries so much more. It’s about ritual. It’s about culture. It’s about connection. It’s a tiny cup that opens up big stories — and we built our surf house around those stories.

The Little Cup That Means So Much

In Costa Rica, coffee isn’t just a beverage. It’s part of the heartbeat of everyday life. From the early 1800s, when coffee plants were introduced and quickly became a major export, to the present day where Costa Rican beans are globally respected for excellence. 

Picture this: a mug of hot coffee at sunrise. You’re on the beach, salt-tipped breeze, surfboard leaning against a palm tree. You take your first sip and you’re awake, alert, part of something. That’s the feeling we wanted when naming Cafecito Surf.

Coffee culture in Costa Rica has deep roots: high-altitude Arabica beans, volcanic soils, manual harvests, and a tradition of quality that locals take pride in.   And that sense of pride, craft, ritual — those are the same values we live by at Cafecito Surf.

From Sunrise Coffee to First Light Waves

Just like that morning cup, surfing is a ritual too. At our guesthouse in Santa Teresa, the best waves often come with first light. You wake early, you paddle out, you feel that quiet anticipation — then the swell hits. That moment? It’s sacred.

We believe in community. We believe in sharing. We believe in that moment after the session when you’re back on land, hair salty, board wax-laden, sipping coffee with friends and strangers turned friends. Cafecito means “little coffee,” but for us it means “shared story.” It means “we’re here, together, under the palms, chasing waves and laughing about the wipe-outs.”

Rooted in Local Story & Family

Our story starts right here in Santa Teresa. Lenin grew up surfing these same beaches, roaming dusty roads, arriving at dawn for tides and light. His family has long roots in town. The land, the coast, the waves — they were home first. That heritage matters.

When the idea of Cafecito Surf came to life, we wanted a name that honoured that local connection. A name that felt personal. A name that felt inviting. Because this isn’t just a surf school or guesthouse — it’s a home base for community and connection, built by locals and friends. (And yes — we’re still as stoked as ever for our morning cafecito!)

Our Values in a Cup

☕ Ritual & Respect

Just as coffee is brewed with care, we coach with care. We show up early, we listen, we celebrate small wins surfing or otherwise.

🤝 Community & Connection

Cafecito Surf isn’t about big crowds — we’re about meaningful moments. You’ll meet fellow travellers, local surfers, new friends. You’ll share that morning coffee, that post-surf laugh, that sunset beer.

🌊 Adventure & Authenticity

Our location in Santa Teresa gives us the waves, the dust, the jungle backdrop — and yes, the culture of “pura vida.” We blend it with the coffee moment: slow mornings, big smiles, fluid days.

🌱 Roots & Respect

We honour Costa Rica’s coffee culture and the land that grows it. That means respect for the environment, for local people, for tradition. Because this place, the Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa — it’s special.

Why the Name Matters When You Stay With Us

So when you roll up to Cafecito Surf, see the signage, walk in with your board, and finally sit down with your first little coffee of the day — know this: the name tells our story. It tells our version of surf culture, Costa Rican culture, little morning rituals that set your day, and big waves that make your trip unforgettable.

Whether you’re here for one week or want to stay longer, we hope you’ll join us in that moment. That hot little cup. That first light sea. That community of surfers, travellers, locals, friends. Welcome to Cafecito Surf.