Far from international airports and the hustle and bustle of any major city, Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is known for its bohemian backpacker vibe. Drawing a myriad of visitors, from slow travelers to surfers, yoga and wellness seekers to digital nomads and more, this once small fishing village is now a major international destination.
Because it can take some time and planning to reach this still far corner of the Nicoya Peninsula, there aren’t as many people here as there might be otherwise. The stunning beaches and great surf alone bring plenty of visitors, but thanks to the effort to reach this place, it’s managed to retain its charm and unique character as its popularity has grown over the years.
There is much to see and do in Santa Teresa and the surrounding area. Use this helpful Santa Teresa visitors’ guide to make the most of your time here.
9 Best Things to Do in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Santa Teresa is a small town with lots of activities to do. Surfing is a major draw, but it’s certainly not the only thing. Yoga, beach bumming, hiking, waterfalls, horseback riding, and more await you in Santa Teresa.
1. Surfing
There are a ton of different places to surf in and near to Santa Teresa, so depending on your skill level and the type of wave you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find the right wave for you. If you’re new to surfing, you can take lessons in the area, rent a board from one of the many surf spots in town, or take your own gear out in the water. Here’s a breakdown of the best beaches and the skill level recommended:
- Santa Teresa Beach: Best for intermediate/advanced surfers, located in town
- Playa Hermosa: Best for beginners/lessons/longboarders, located just north of Santa Teresa
- Playa Carmen: Best for all levels, just south of Santa Teresa
- Mal Pais: Best for experienced/advanced surfers, south of Santa Teresa
2. Yoga
The yoga scene in Santa Teresa is hot! With lots of studios to choose from and all kinds of class styles, there is a yoga class for any level of yogi. Many people come to Santa Teresa to do their 200, 300, or 500-hour yoga teacher training and then stay in town to get teaching experience. Even if you’re not a yogi, you’ll probably get into the spirit after you spend a few days in town.
3. Check Out Playa Hermosa
Just ten minutes up the road is the small community of Playa Hermosa. Another great beach destination, this small town has a quieter feel than the busier Santa Teresa. The waves are very consistent here, and the gray sand beach sees beautiful sunsets, night after night. It’s only 3 kilometers north of Santa Teresa, making it a great place to check out on a day trip.
4. Horseback Riding On The Beach
Definitely one of the most idyllic and picture-perfect activities in the Santa Teresa area is taking a horseback ride along the beach at sunset. Several tour operators in the area offer this service. It’s always advisable to look into reputable tour operators when you book anything having to do with animals and animal welfare. Make sure to do your due diligence to ensure that the horses are taken care of and well cared for before you book. If you’re not sure, reach out to us at Costa Rica Escapes, and we’ll help you find a reputable company.
5. Snorkeling at Tortuga Island
The trip to get to Tortuga Island is an experience in and of itself! Take a boat over to Tortuga Island and spend the day relaxing on white sand beaches, under palm trees. Enjoy a local lunch, usually included in the tour, and snorkel or kayak around the area. Zuma Tours is one of the main tour operators for boats leaving from Santa Teresa. There are also boats from Jaco, Puntarenas, and Herradura.
The trip can take all day, leaving in the morning and returning in the evening. Prices for the snorkeling tour with Zuma Tours start at $100 plus tax. They also have the option to do a discovery dive or do a sunset and bioluminescence tour with them as well.
6. ATV Around
One of the funnest ways to explore the stretch of beaches that runs from Playa Hermosa to the north down to Mal Pais, just 10 kilometers to the south, is via ATV, or quad. You can rent them by the day or the week. Daily rates run between $70-$90 depending on the season and the company. It’s a fun way to explore the area and get around town.
7. Visit Nearby Waterfalls
A fun day trip adventure is to head to Montezuma, which is a fun and funky town in and of itself. One of the main attractions in Montezuma is the Montezuma Falls, a set of three cascades that you can hike to and take a dip in the swimming holes at the base of the falls. Montezuma is on the other side of the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, so you’ll take a car for about 30 minutes to reach the town, and from there you can hike to the falls, enjoy the town, or simply hang out at another gorgeous beach.
8. Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve
If you’re looking to do some hiking while in Santa Teresa, your best bet is to head to the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, situated at the very tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. To access the hiking trails of Cabo Blanco, you’ll have to drive across the peninsula, which takes about an hour. From Cabuya, you’ll enter the reserve, and you can enjoy the day hiking and spotting wildlife, like howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, agoutis, and white-nosed coatis, plus tons of birds, lizards, and more. The entrance fee to Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve is $12.
9. Explore Tide Pools
Thanks to the rocky shoreline along parts of the Pacific coast, depending on the tide, you can find tide pools up and down the coast. It’s fun to explore and see the different small fish and crabs that live in these temporarily accessible pools. There are some great spots just up from Santa Teresa, on the way to Playa Hermosa. Mal Pais also has some nice tide pools, as well, and is worth a visit on its own merit. The Mal Pais tide pools are known as the Mar Azul pools. They are a bit hidden, but well worth the effort to find them!
Areas Near Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Malpaís
Just a short, ten-minute drive down the road from Santa Teresa, you’ll find Mal Pais. This small fishing village has retained its quiet lifestyle despite the growth in Santa Teresa and, to a lesser extent, Playa Carmen.
Mal Pais is often mentioned in tandem with Santa Teresa, as many people who visit the area do so for great surf, and Mal Pais has it. The community is much smaller, and you won’t find larger supermarkets, ATMs, or many other services here, but if you’re looking for a taste of Costa Rica from years past, this is your place.
Playa Carmen
Just a stone’s throw down the road from Santa Teresa, only 1.5 kilometers and about a 5-minute drive, is the up-and-coming Playa Carmen. Still not as popular as Santa Teresa, this beach town is growing each year. It’s also known for surfing, yoga, horseback riding, and lounging at the beach. If you’re in Santa Teresa, it’s definitely worth popping over to Playa Carmen for the day to check out what’s happening just down the road.
Montezuma
Across the Nicoya Peninsula is another bohemian beach town, Montezuma. Montezuma is the place to go for waterfalls in this part of Costa Rica, and the town is a fun place to spend a day, or even a night or two. It’s only a half-hour drive and a fun way to see some more of the landscape of this unique area. There’s also some fun ziplining in Montezuma, so if you’re looking to add that to your list, this is a great place to do it.
Cobano
The main hub and largest city in this area is Cobano. If you fly to the region, you’ll land in Cobano, and while the town isn’t much to see in terms of tourism, it’s vital to keeping things running. Cobano is where you’ll need to go to cash up your car or truck, as the only gas station near to Santa Teresa is here. It’s about 16 kilometers from Cobano to Santa Teresa, or a 30-minute drive. Cobano is located in the center of the peninsula.
Weather in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica & Best Times to Visit
Located in Puntarenas Province, Santa Teresa experiences a dry season and a rainy season.
The dry season runs from December to April, with the peak sun from January to March. Expect high temperatures in the 90s and bring lots of sunscreen.
The rainy season runs from May to November, with September and October as the wettest months. Rainy certainly doesn’t mean cold in Santa Teresa, though, with temperatures still averaging in the 70s to 80s even during the wettest months.
Think hot, hot, hot regardless of when you visit!
Santa Teresa Restaurants
The food scene in Santa Teresa is very impressive, catering to an international community with a health-conscious vibe. You’ll easily find vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options here. Odds are you’ll be overwhelmed trying to decide where and what to eat, so here’s a quick food guide for Santa Teresa restaurants, bars, and cafes.
- The Bakery: American, French, Pastries & Coffee, $$
- Eat Street: Mexican, Bar, $$-$$$
- Manzu Restaurant: Latin, Seafood, $$$
- El Tercer Ojo: Caribbean, Latin, Fusion, $$
- The Somos Restaurant: Bar, International, Breakfast, Coffee, $$-$$$
Plan Your Trip to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Santa Teresa is a gem of a vacation spot, whether you plan on visiting for a few nights or living the digital nomad life and renting a place for six months. Some factors to consider when planning your trip to Santa Teresa are how to get there, by plane, by shuttle/bus, or by car.
If you plan on renting a car, bear in mind the roads in this part of Costa Rica are rough, especially during the rainy season, so something with 4×4 and high clearance is a must. This can quickly eat up your budget if you plan on staying for a while, so remember that many people rent ATVs or motorcycles to get around locally.
Is Santa Teresa safe?
In general, Santa Teresa is safe, though there are some ways to exercise caution to ensure you have an enjoyable trip. Here’s a list of Dos and Don’ts to stay safe in Santa Teresa.
- Do take official taxis or Ubers after dark, especially if you’re alone
- Do use the safe provided in your accommodation and only take what you need when going out on tours and activities
- Do take a copy of your passport and leave your passport in your room
- Don’t walk alone at night
- Don’t take your valuables to the beach
- Don’t go places with unauthorized tour guides; only book through reputable companies
How to Get to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
There are several options for how to get to Santa Teresa depending on where you’re coming from, your budget, and how fast you’d like to arrive. Use this helpful information guide to plan your arrival and departure to Santa Teresa.
San Jose to Santa Teresa
By Car
The drive from San Jose to Santa Teresa can be a long haul. The drive takes around five hours, without stopping, and includes a ferry crossing from Puntarenas to Playa Naranjo. You’ll want to check the ferry times to make sure your drive lines up with service. The roads on the Nicoya Peninsula can be bumpy and unpaved in places, so it’s best to have a vehicle with 4×4 or at least high clearance.
By Shuttle
You can book a shared or private shuttle to take you from San Jose to Santa Teresa in case you don’t feel like driving or want to save some money on a rental car. Shared shuttles take a little longer as you’ll be stopping to pick up and drop off other passengers along the way, so plan on a six-hour trip, at least. Some companies that offer this service are EasyRide ($79) and Tropical Tours Shuttles ($60).
By Plane
If you’ve flown into San Jose and you want to get to Santa Teresa the fastest way, you can fly with Sansa Air. The flight from San Jose to Cobano takes about 40 minutes, and from there it’s a 30-minute drive to Santa Teresa. Flights start at $120, and the taxi will probably cost you around $30.
Closest Airport to Santa Teresa
The closest airport to Santa Teresa is the small domestic airport in Cobano. The closest international airport is in Liberia (LIR). The Liberia International Airport, also known as Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport, is the main airport in Guanacaste and is located about three and a half hours from Santa Teresa.
If you’re ready to book your dream Santa Teresa vacation or make Santa Teresa a spot on your Costa Rican vacation, contact us at Costa Rica Escapes today, and let us help. We’re happy to assist you with planning your perfect getaway to Santa Teresa, the rest of the Nicoya Peninsula, and all of Costa Rica.