10 Best Things To Do in Santa Teresa, Costa RIca

Santa Teresa is not your typical Costa Rican town. It is essentially one 4 kilometer long, partly unpaved road that stretches along the coast, lined with surf shops, organic cafes, co-working spots, yoga studios, and little boutiques selling handmade jewelry.

The village has this wonderful bohemian energy where everyone seems to be on island time. You will see surfers walking barefoot with boards under their arms, smoothie bowls being served at open air counters, and dogs happily napping in the shade. There is no real “center” to the town, and that is part of its charm. Just walk, explore, and let the vibe of the place sink in.

You can also spot wildlife in Santa Teresa, with many monkeys and iguanas just off the roads, especially in the early morning or late afternoon when they are most active, so it is worth keeping your eyes open while exploring the area.

If there is one thing Santa Teresa is truly famous for, it is the surf. The coastline here picks up consistent swells year round, making it one of the best surf destinations in all of Central America. You can easily arrange your lessons either online in advance or directly with an instructor once you’re in town, with prices typically ranging between 50-80 USD per session.

Whether you are a total beginner or an experienced surfer looking for powerful beach breaks, there is a wave for you. Playa Santa Teresa is the main spot with punchy, fast breaking waves that attract surfers from around the world. Playa Hermosa is a great option for beginners, with gentler waves and sand bottom breaks. Surf lessons and board rentals are everywhere, so even if you have never stood on a board before, this is the perfect place to give it a try.

The surf culture here is not just about the waves. It is a whole lifestyle. Morning sessions, afternoon sessions, sunset sessions. Surfing becomes your daily rhythm in Santa Teresa, and honestly, it is hard to imagine a better place for it.

The best waves are usually early morning and late afternoon. Midday can get crowded during high season, so try to get out there early for a more peaceful session.

Tortuga Island is one of those places that looks like it belongs on a postcard. White sand, turquoise water, palm trees, the whole package. The island is uninhabited and sits off the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula, making it an easy day trip from Santa Teresa. You will even spot wild pigs roaming the island!

The name “Tortuga,” which means turtle in Spanish, comes from the island’s shape when seen from above, as it is said to resemble a turtle floating in the ocean. Can you tell from the photo below?

Most tours include snorkeling equipment, a freshly prepared lunch, and plenty of time to just float in the crystal clear water. Keep your eyes on the water during the boat ride because dolphins, manta rays, and sometimes even sea turtles show up. Day trips usually cost between 90-120 USD per person.

On the island, there is also a beach volleyball court, and we ended up playing for so long without even noticing the time passing.

Most tour operators pick you up directly from your accommodation in Santa Teresa. From there, you are driven to Montezuma, which takes about 35 to 45 minutes by van. In Montezuma, you hop on a boat for about 45 to 50 minutes until you reach the island. The whole trip is a full day experience, lasting around 7 to 8 hours, and everything is usually included in the price: transport, snorkeling gear, lunch, and drinks. Tours run daily, so booking a day or two in advance is usually enough.

Santa Teresa is blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula, and the best part is that each one has its own personality. Here are the beaches you should not miss.

The name means “beautiful beach” in Spanish, and it absolutely lives up to it. Wide stretches of golden sand meet gentle, rolling waves that are perfect for beginner surfers and swimmers. The beach is lined with palm trees and has a peaceful energy that makes it easy to spend an entire afternoon here. It is also one of the quieter spots, with fewer crowds than the main strip. I surfed at this beach many times as a beginner and loved it!

This is the main beach and the heartbeat of the whole area. It is where most of the surf action happens, with powerful, fast breaking waves and dramatic rock formations. The beach itself stretches out long and wide, with lush jungle creating a beautiful backdrop. You will find surfers of all levels here from sunrise to sunset. The vibe is energetic and very social.

Sitting right in the center of town, Playa Carmen is a gorgeous stretch of coast that is ideal for long walks and watching the sunset paint the sky. The waves here can be tricky, so it is more of a relaxation beach than a surf spot. At low tide, you can even find small tide pools along the rocky edges. It has a laid back, local feel that I really liked.

I saw people run into the water and come back out with bleeding toes. There are large rocks hidden in the water, so make sure to be careful when going in for a swim.

Tucked a bit further north, Manzanillo is where you go when you want calm water and a quieter atmosphere. The rocky points along the coast create great snorkeling opportunities, and the waves are gentler than on the main beaches. It feels a bit more secluded and wild.

Santa Teresa and yoga go together like surfing and sunsets. The town is full of yoga studios and retreat centers offering classes for every level. Many studios are open air, surrounded by jungle, with the sound of the ocean in the background.

Studios like Horizon Yoga Hotel and Ranchos Itauna offer beachfront sessions that feel more like a meditation with movement. Even if yoga is not your usual thing, doing it here might just change your mind.

Exploring Santa Teresa and the surrounding coastline on an ATV is one of the most fun things you can do here. The roads are dusty and partly unpaved, which actually makes ATV riding feel like a proper adventure.

Some operators offer guided coastline tours that take you to spots you would never find on your own, including secret coves and clifftop lookouts. If you rent one on your own, just be aware that there is no gas station in town, the nearest one is about 30 minutes away in Cobano. Renting an ATV is super expensive in Santa Teresa, prepare to pay

Wear sunglasses and something to cover your nose and mouth when riding, the dust on the roads is no joke, especially in the dry season.

Renting an ATV in Santa Teresa is really expensive, with daily rates usually around 60-100 USD. Weekly rentals are around 500 USD, offering savings with a lower daily rate. But still, super expensive.

Just south of Santa Teresa, the coastline turns rocky and rugged, and at low tide, an incredible world of natural tide pools appears. The Mal Pais tide pools (also called Mar Azul tide pools) are carved into dark volcanic rock that absorbs heat from the sun, making the trapped seawater warm, almost like natural hot tubs by the ocean.

Always check the tide chart before visiting. The pools are only accessible and safe at low tide. At high tide, waves crash over the rocks and the pools disappear completely.

You can spot little tropical fish, sea urchins, crabs, and all kinds of colorful marine life hiding in the pools. The landscape here feels completely different from the sandy beaches of Santa Teresa, more wild and untouched.

Montezuma is only about a 30 minute drive from Santa Teresa, and it makes for a perfect day trip. This little bohemian town has a completely different energy, more artsy and laid back.

The main attraction is the Montezuma Waterfall, a series of three cascading falls surrounded by lush jungle where you can hike and swim. The hike is short but involves some slippery sections, so good shoes are a must.

One thing I really appreciated about Santa Teresa is the strong sense of community and environmental awareness. Local organizations and volunteers regularly organize beach clean-ups, and joining one is a meaningful way to give back to the place you are enjoying.

The Santa Teresa Lifeguards, along with projects like LE.CO and NP Waterkeeper, run weekly clean-ups every Saturday. It only takes an hour or so, and you meet great people while helping to keep these beautiful beaches.

Since times and meeting points can occasionally change, it’s best to quickly check their Instagram pages which I linked above for the latest details.

This open air food court is built from converted shipping containers and brings together a bunch of different food vendors in one colorful, laid back space. You will find everything from Tex Mex and healthy smoothie bowls to craft cocktails and wood fired pizza.

What I also love about this place is that they use compostable containers and plastic free bottles, which fits perfectly with Santa Teresa’s eco conscious vibe. It is open daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.