Santa Teresa, Costa Rica: A local's guide

Introduction

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Santa Teresa is one of Costa Rica's most special places, not because it's undiscovered (it hasn't been for a while), but because it has somehow held onto its character despite growing in popularity. There are no big chain hotels here, no franchise restaurants, no shopping malls. What you'll find instead is a long, wild beach, some of the best surf in Central America, a food scene that punches far above its weight, and a community that genuinely loves where it lives.

 

We've been here for over 20 years. Santa Teresa is home, and we're happy to share everything we know.

 

 

Getting to Santa Teresa

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Santa Teresa is on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, in the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica. It takes a little effort to get here, which is part of what keeps it feeling like itself.

 

From San José: The most scenic route is to drive (or take a bus) to Puntarenas and catch the ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya to Paquera — a beautiful crossing that takes about 75 minutes. From Paquera, Santa Teresa is roughly 1.5 hours by road. Total journey from San José: 4–5 hours depending on ferry timing.

 

By air: There are small domestic airports at Cobano. Sansa and Green Airways operate regular flights from San José. It's a 20-minute flight, though you'll still need ground transport to Santa Teresa.

 

By bus: Comfortable bus service runs from San José's Coca-Cola terminal with a ferry connection at Paquera. Budget around 5–6 hours total.

 

Tip: Ferry schedules change seasonally. Check the Naviera Tambor website before you travel and aim for an early ferry to avoid afternoon waits.

 

 

When to Visit

 

Dry season (December–April) is peak season. Days are mostly sunny, the roads are dusty, and the surf is generally good. Accommodation books up fast; especially between Christmas and Easter week (Semana Santa), when prices are higher and crowds are at their peak.

 

Green season (May–November) is our personal favorite. The rain comes in the afternoons and evenings, keeping mornings bright. The landscape turns intensely green, the crowds thin out, the prices drop, and the surf can be exceptional. This is when long-term visitors tend to come and stay a while.

 

Santa Teresa is beautiful year-round. There's no bad time to visit, just different versions of it.

 

 

The Beaches

 

The coastline around Santa Teresa stretches for miles and is largely undeveloped. You won't find beach clubs or jet ski rentals — just open sand, palm trees, and the Pacific.

 

Santa Teresa beach is the main stretch in front of town. It's long and wide, with a consistent beach break that works for all levels of surfer. The north end is generally calmer, the south more powerful.

 

Playa Carmen blends into Santa Teresa to the south and is slightly more sheltered — good for swimming when there's swell further north.

 

Playa Hermosa (a short drive north, not to be confused with the one near Jacó) is quieter, more exposed, and rewards the extra effort to get there.

 

Mal Pais is just to the south of Santa Teresa and shares the same coastline. Historically a separate fishing village, it's now essentially the same community. The area around Playa Manzanillo at the far north end has beautiful rocky coves and is worth exploring.

 

 

Surfing

 

Surfing is the heartbeat of Santa Teresa. The beach break here is accessible for beginners and very interesting  for experienced surfers. Swells arrive from the north and south Pacific and there's usually something rideable regardless of conditions.

 

Best for beginners: The stretch directly in front of the main road is forgiving and well-monitored. Surf schools line the beach and lessons are easy to arrange — we can help with that too through our packages.

 

Best for intermediate/advanced: The north end of Santa Teresa (La Lora) and around the area

 

Rentals: Board rentals are available from numerous local shops. Expect to pay $10–20/day for a longboard or foam board, more for performance shortboards.

 

Surf season: There's swell year-round, but May–October often brings the most consistent groundswell from the south. Ask locally on arrival — conditions change daily.

 

 

Food & Restaurants

 

Santa Teresa has an unusually good food scene for a small beach town. Options range from simple local sodas (traditional Costa Rican diners) to internationally recognized restaurants.

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A few favorites worth seeking out:

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Breakfast / coffee: The town has excellent breakfast cafes — açaí bowls, eggs, fresh fruit, good coffee. Most are within easy walking distance of the main road.

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Sodas: For traditional Costa Rican food at the best prices — rice, beans, fresh fish, plantains — find a local soda and sit down. 

 

Fine dining: Several restaurants in Santa Teresa have earned real reputations — for Italian, Japanese, and Mediterranean food especially. Ask us when you arrive and we'll point you toward whichever fits your mood.

 

Note: Santa Teresa caters very well to vegetarians, vegans, and other dietary restrictions. Almost every restaurant has strong plant-based options, gluten free options and locally sourced ingredients.

 

 

Things to Do

 

Yoga: Multiple studios offer daily classes, from beginner flows to advanced practice. It's a strong part of the local culture. 

 

Horseback riding: A classic Santa Teresa experience; ride along the beach at sunrise or through the jungle trails inland.

 

ATV / quad rental: Explore beyond the main road. The backroads around Santa Teresa and into the hills, as well as towards Montezuma, reward exploration. Just go slowly! Local roads can be rough.

 

Wildlife: Keep your eyes open. Monkeys, iguanas, coatis, and a remarkable variety of birds are common in and around town. Whales and dolphins are regularly spotted offshore.

 

Snorkeling & diving: The waters around the Nicoya Peninsula are clear and full of life. Day trips to nearby spots can be arranged locally.

 

 

Practical Tips

 

Getting around: Santa Teresa's main road is long and flat, great for bikes. Most people rent a bicycle, ATV, or scooter. Walking is fine if you're staying central.

 

Cash: Most local businesses accept cards, but always have some Costa Rican colones or USD on hand for sodas, markets, and smaller vendors. There are ATMs in town, though they can run out during peak season.

 

Internet: WiFi is reliable at most hotels and cafes in town. If you're working remotely, check that your accommodation has a backup generator — power outages happen during the rainy season. (Magic Place does.)

 

Safety: Santa Teresa is generally safe and relaxed. As anywhere, be aware of your surroundings, don't leave valuables on the beach, and lock your accommodation. The beach itself can have strong rip currents, swim between the flags if they're present, and ask locals about conditions before entering the water.

 

Spanish: It helps and locals appreciate the effort, but you'll get by with English in most places. Learning a few basic phrases goes a long way.

 

 

Staying at Magic Place

 

We're a family-run boutique hotel right in the heart of Santa Teresa — less than 3 minutes' walk from the beach, steps from the best restaurants and cafes in town. Our 7 fully equipped studios are designed for comfort whether you're staying a few nights or a few months.

 

See our studios → Browse packages → Contact us directly →

 

 

 

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