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Santa Teresa
NICOYA PENINSULA · AREA GUIDE

Complete Guide to Santa Teresa

Everything you need to know before visiting Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

About Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa doesn't need a publicist. Word spread organically, and for good reason: this is one of those rare places where world-class surf, a serious wellness scene, and a genuinely international crowd coexist on partly unpaved jungle roads without losing their edge. The town sits on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, technically remote (getting here requires a ferry crossing or a long drive), practically unreachable for anyone in a hurry, and completely worth it for everyone else.

The main road through Santa Teresa is part pavement, part potholed dirt, and entirely charming. It runs north to south through a loose string of beachside communities, from the fishing village of Mal País in the south through Playa Carmen (the hub, with the most restaurants and the only reliably functioning ATMs) up through Playa Santa Teresa's boutique hotels and surf breaks to quieter Playa Hermosa at the north end. Most people call the whole stretch "Santa Teresa," and most properties sit within a short walk or ATV ride of the beach.

The surfing is what put Santa Teresa on the map. Consistent beach and reef breaks with offshore morning winds that groom clean wave faces; approachable for beginners on the gentler south breaks near Mal País, serious for intermediate and advanced surfers chasing powerful lefts and rights at the main breaks. Crowds are nothing like Jacó or Manuel Antonio; you share waves with a mix of long-term expats, digital nomads, and visiting surfers who came for a week and quietly renegotiated their flights home.

But Santa Teresa has grown well beyond its surf-town roots. The yoga and wellness scene is legitimately excellent: multiple studios, international retreat centers, and visiting teachers run daily classes with Pacific views as the backdrop. Healthy cafes and açaí bowls share the main road with excellent ceviche joints and beachfront restaurants where food-obsessed expat chefs cook what they actually want to eat. At sunset, the whole town gravitates toward the beach with near-ritualistic devotion. Golden light, surfers catching final waves, and impromptu gatherings on the sand. It's unforced and genuinely beautiful.

A few honest realities to set expectations correctly: the roads need a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle, especially in rainy season. ATMs in Playa Carmen work most days but can run dry during holiday peaks; carry backup cash. Medical facilities are limited; the nearest hospital is in Nicoya, roughly 90 minutes away. Serious grocery shopping means a 20-minute drive to Cobano's Mega Super. None of this diminishes the experience; if anything, these friction points are part of what keeps Santa Teresa from becoming overrun. The remoteness filters for people who actually want to be here.

Best For

  • Intermediate to advanced surfers seeking consistent, uncrowded breaks
  • Yoga and wellness travelers looking for retreat-quality studios with Pacific views
  • Digital nomads and remote workers (dedicated coworking spaces, strong cafe WiFi)
  • Couples and solo travelers who want bohemian energy without manufactured party-town chaos
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  • Travelers willing to embrace some remoteness in exchange for an authentic, unpackaged experience

Getting to Santa Teresa

5.5 hours from San José (SJO) airport via the most popular route: drive 2 hours to Puntarenas, take the Naviera Tambor ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya (70 minutes), then drive 1 hour from Paquera to Santa Teresa. Ferries run approximately every 2 hours from 5:30am to 9:30pm; buy tickets in advance on QuickPay CR during peak season. Faster alternative: fly SJO to Cobano Airport on Sansa or Green Airways (30 minutes, approximately $120/person one-way), then a 25-minute shuttle to Santa Teresa. 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle strongly recommended; local roads and hillside properties demand it.

How do you get to Santa Teresa from San José airport?

The most popular route takes about 5.5 hours: drive 2 hours from SJO to Puntarenas, take the Naviera Tambor ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya (70 minutes, runs roughly every 2 hours from 5:30am), then drive 1 hour from Paquera to Santa Teresa on paved road. Buy ferry tickets in advance at QuickPay CR during peak season to guarantee your crossing time. The faster alternative is a 30-minute domestic flight: Sansa and Green Airways fly SJO to Cobano Airport for approximately $120 per person one-way, then a 25-minute shuttle to Santa Teresa. A third option (driving all the way around the Nicoya Peninsula) takes 6-7 hours but skips the ferry entirely.

What to Expect

World-class surf, bohemian village energy, and a wellness scene without equal on the Nicoya Peninsula

World-Class Surf

Consistent beach and reef breaks along a 5km coast: beginner-friendly south breaks near Mal País, powerful intermediate and advanced waves at Playa Carmen and Santa Teresa's main break. Offshore morning winds create clean, groomed faces year-round.

Yoga & Wellness Capital

Costa Rica's most concentrated wellness destination. Multiple studios offer daily classes from 6am sunrise sessions to evening yin and restorative, with international visiting teachers leading week-long retreats.

Bohemian Village Energy

Part-dirt, part-paved main road lined with surf shops, juice bars, boutique hotels, and restaurants. Genuinely international community: long-term expats, visiting nomads, and local families sharing the same strip.

Sunset Ritual

Every evening, locals and visitors migrate to the beach as the sun drops over the Pacific. It's not organized or ticketed; it just happens, and it's one of the more beautiful things this coast offers.

Wildlife-Rich Jungle

Howler monkeys at dawn, capuchin and spider monkeys in beachside trees, tropical birds, iguanas, and direct access to Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve (Costa Rica's oldest protected area).

Playa Carmen Hub

The commercial center of the stretch: best restaurant density, only ATMs, main surf schools, and the primary beach break. The meeting point of the Santa Teresa community.

Montezuma & Cabo Blanco Day Trips

Montezuma's triple-tiered waterfall and hippie market is 40 minutes south. Cabo Blanco's pristine rainforest and isolated beaches at the peninsula tip are 45 minutes away.

Digital Nomad Infrastructure

Dedicated coworking spaces, fast WiFi at most quality cafes and rentals, and a large community of remote workers who chose Santa Teresa specifically. Fully functional for extended work stays.

Insider Tips

💡

Buy ferry tickets in advance during peak season (December-April) at QuickPay CR; early morning departures (5:30-7:30am) fill up fastest; plan for a full travel day from San José and enjoy the crossing; the Gulf of Nicoya views are genuinely stunning, and the ferry itself is large and comfortable.

💡

Withdraw cash in Cobano or San José before heading into Santa Teresa. The ATMs in Playa Carmen work most of the time but can run dry on busy weekends and holiday weeks; local restaurants often accept cards but connection is sometimes spotty, and smaller spots are cash-only.

💡

Rent a 4x4 or high-clearance SUV, no exceptions. Many properties sit up hillside roads that defeat a standard sedan. The main road has paved sections, but rainy season potholes are real. If your host says 4x4 required, believe them.

Things to Do in Santa Teresa

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Santa Teresa

Practical Information

When is the best time to visit Santa Teresa?

Dry season (December-April) is peak tourist season: clear skies, calmer seas, and the town at full energy. Christmas through New Year and Easter week are the busiest periods with higher rates and minimum stays. Rainy season (May-November) brings afternoon showers (mornings usually stay dry), bigger surf swells, fewer tourists, and 20-30% lower rental rates. Shoulder months (May, June, and October) offer the best balance of good weather, manageable crowds, and real value. Advanced surfers actually prefer rainy season for the more powerful, consistent swells.

Is Santa Teresa safe for travelers?

Santa Teresa is generally very safe with low crime rates compared to larger Costa Rican cities or busier beach towns. The community is tight-knit, friendly, and well-accustomed to international visitors. Standard precautions apply: don't leave valuables in cars (break-ins do occur), use property safes, avoid walking the beach alone very late at night. The bigger practical concerns are road conditions (4x4 required), limited medical infrastructure (nearest hospital in Nicoya, 90 minutes away), and unreliable ATMs; these are infrastructure realities worth knowing, not reasons to reconsider visiting.

Are there ATMs and grocery stores in Santa Teresa?

ATMs in Playa Carmen work most days but can run out of cash during busy holiday periods; always have backup colones. For proper grocery shopping, drive 20-30 minutes north to Cobano where Mega Super and Maxi Pali offer full supermarket stocking. Santa Teresa's local pulperías cover daily essentials (water, snacks, beer, produce) but not a full week's worth of provisions. Nest Stays guests can use our pre-arrival grocery stocking service; send a list before you arrive and skip the Cobano run entirely on a travel-weary arrival day.

Where to Stay in Santa Teresa

Browse our curated selection of villas and homes and condos in Santa Teresa. Full concierge service, seamless check-in, and local expertise included.

Every Nest Stays property comes with 24/7 local support, pre-arrival grocery stocking, and insider recommendations from people who actually live here.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Teresa

How do you get to Santa Teresa from San José airport? +
The most popular route takes about 5.5 hours: drive 2 hours from SJO to Puntarenas, take the Naviera Tambor ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya (70 minutes, runs roughly every 2 hours from 5:30am), then drive 1 hour from Paquera to Santa Teresa on paved road. Buy ferry tickets in advance at QuickPay CR during peak season to guarantee your crossing time. The faster alternative is a 30-minute domestic flight: Sansa and Green Airways fly SJO to Cobano Airport for approximately $120 per person one-way, then a 25-minute shuttle to Santa Teresa. A third option (driving all the way around the Nicoya Peninsula) takes 6-7 hours but skips the ferry entirely.
Do you need a 4x4 to get around Santa Teresa? +
Yes, a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended and sometimes required. While the main road through town has paved sections, significant stretches remain dirt with potholes that worsen during rainy season (May-November). Properties up the hillside above the main road almost always require 4x4 access. Book a 4x4 SUV at the airport; standard sedans get stuck on access roads to many hillside properties and in washed-out sections after heavy rain. Don't let a rental agent talk you into a sedan; the extra cost is worth it.
When is the best time to visit Santa Teresa? +
Dry season (December-April) is peak tourist season: clear skies, calmer seas, and the town at full energy. Christmas through New Year and Easter week are the busiest periods with higher rates and minimum stays. Rainy season (May-November) brings afternoon showers (mornings usually stay dry), bigger surf swells, fewer tourists, and 20-30% lower rental rates. Shoulder months (May, June, and October) offer the best balance of good weather, manageable crowds, and real value. Advanced surfers actually prefer rainy season for the more powerful, consistent swells.
Is Santa Teresa safe for travelers? +
Santa Teresa is generally very safe with low crime rates compared to larger Costa Rican cities or busier beach towns. The community is tight-knit, friendly, and well-accustomed to international visitors. Standard precautions apply: don't leave valuables in cars (break-ins do occur), use property safes, avoid walking the beach alone very late at night. The bigger practical concerns are road conditions (4x4 required), limited medical infrastructure (nearest hospital in Nicoya, 90 minutes away), and unreliable ATMs; these are infrastructure realities worth knowing, not reasons to reconsider visiting.
Where should I eat in Santa Teresa? +
Santa Teresa has a surprisingly sophisticated food scene for a remote surf town. Playa Carmen has the densest restaurant concentration: from beachfront sodas serving fresh ceviche and whole grilled fish to international spots with Asian fusion, wood-fired pizza, and creative menus from expat chefs. The wellness-cafe strip near the main yoga studios does excellent breakfasts, smoothie bowls, and juice. For the most current recommendations, ask your Nest Stays property manager; Santa Teresa's restaurant scene turns over seasonally and the best spots aren't always the most-reviewed ones online.
Are there ATMs and grocery stores in Santa Teresa? +
ATMs in Playa Carmen work most days but can run out of cash during busy holiday periods; always have backup colones. For proper grocery shopping, drive 20-30 minutes north to Cobano where Mega Super and Maxi Pali offer full supermarket stocking. Santa Teresa's local pulperías cover daily essentials (water, snacks, beer, produce) but not a full week's worth of provisions. Nest Stays guests can use our pre-arrival grocery stocking service; send a list before you arrive and skip the Cobano run entirely on a travel-weary arrival day.
What is the surf like in Santa Teresa, and what level do you need to be? +
Santa Teresa has one of the most varied surf stretches in Costa Rica, with different breaks for different levels along 5km of coast. Beginners can access softer, slower breaks near Mal País in the south with proper instruction. Playa Carmen's main break draws intermediate surfers with a consistent beach break. The Santa Teresa main break delivers powerful lefts and rights for advanced surfers. Morning offshore winds groom clean wave faces before onshore winds arrive around mid-morning. Strongest swells come May-November; December-April brings smaller, cleaner conditions ideal for learning and progressing.
What wildlife can you see in and around Santa Teresa? +
Howler monkeys provide the soundtrack: their territorial roars echo from jungle canopy backing the beach at dawn and dusk. White-faced capuchin and spider monkeys move through beachside trees regularly. Tropical birds fill the mornings with scarlet macaws, parrots, and dozens of species. Iguanas bask on rocks and buildings throughout town. For sea turtle watching, Montezuma and Cabo Blanco beaches to the south (30-45 minutes) have nesting sites. Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve at the peninsula's tip is Costa Rica's oldest protected area, with pristine hiking and one of the highest species densities in the region.
What is the yoga and wellness scene like in Santa Teresa? +
Santa Teresa has more yoga studios per capita than anywhere else in Costa Rica, and they're genuinely good, not just tourist-class drop-ins. Multiple studios run daily classes from 6am sunrise sessions to evening restorative practices, with levels from beginner-friendly flows to advanced inversions. International visiting teachers lead week-long intensive retreats throughout peak season. The wellness infrastructure extends to sound healing, massage, acupuncture, and a food culture that reflects the community's values: healthy cafes, raw food, and plant-based options sit alongside excellent seafood and beach BBQ.
What else is there to do in Santa Teresa beyond surfing? +
Plenty. Yoga and wellness retreats keep non-surfers fully occupied. ATV tours through the jungle roads above Santa Teresa are the best way to understand the terrain and catch views. Day trips are excellent: Montezuma (40 minutes south) has a triple-tiered waterfall hike and boat trips to Tortuga Island for snorkeling. Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve (45 minutes) offers pristine rainforest trails and isolated beaches. Horse riding on the beach at sunset, coastal tide-pool exploration at low tide, and the general rhythm of beach-cafe-yoga-sunset fill weeks without repetition. Santa Teresa rewards slow travel; the less you schedule, the more you find.