The southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula appears like one other world in comparison with the hustle and bustle of the vacationer hubs in Costa Rica. This a part of the nation is thought for its rolling inexperienced hills and luxurious environment, because of the abundance of rivers and underground water streams within the space.
It’s not an space overcome with mass tourism but, however lately, Santa Teresa and its neighbours, Mal Pais and Montezuma, have welcomed their justifiable share of tourists.
At first, it was principally skilled surfers who wanted little or no to take pleasure in life on the shores of the Pacific Ocean—then adopted the backpackers, who performed a giant function in inserting Santa Teresa on the map as an off-the-beaten-path vacation spot in Costa Rica.
With backpackers got here hostels, B&Bs, eating places, and retailers, and identical to that, the Santa Teresa space, as soon as somewhat fishing village, had flourished right into a vacation spot that guests now battle to say goodbye to.
Greatest Time To Go to Santa Teresa
The advantage of planning a visit to a tropical city like Santa Teresa is you solely must preserve two seasons in thoughts: dry and inexperienced (or wet). The temperature ranges from about 30 levels Celsius (87 levels Fahrenheit) to 35 levels Celsius (94 levels Fahrenheit), although it doesn’t matter what time of 12 months you’re visiting, you’re nonetheless certain to catch some solar.
Dry Season
Count on no rain, a lot of sunny days, and constant waves throughout the dry season that runs by way of December till April. The proper seaside circumstances imply that is additionally thought-about Santa Teresa’s peak tourism season, so whereas the setting is a tropical paradise, you’ll seemingly share the scene with a lot of crowds and cope with increased lodge costs.
Inexperienced Season (Wet Season)
The months from Might to November make up the “inexperienced season” due to the rains that begin to come and switch the island’s vegetation much more vibrant. Occasional showers within the first few months aren’t unhealthy in any respect; the times are nonetheless heat and sunny, with gentle rainfall within the afternoon or at evening to chill you down. Lengthy, heavy downpours aren’t to be anticipated till round September or October.
These months additionally appeal to surfers. In case you ask us, the inexperienced season is the finest time to go to Costa Rica and Santa Teresa–not solely do you get to catch the tropical colors in full bloom, however you additionally get to expertise the waves with fewer vacationers.
How To Get To Santa Teresa
This space is barely off the overwhelmed path, nevertheless it’s not that tough to achieve Santa Teresa.
By airplane
Get a home flight from San Jose Worldwide Airport to Tambor Airport. That is the quickest and most handy possibility, because the flights run day by day through Nature Air or Sansa Airways and solely take 25 minutes. From Tambor Airport, you’ll be able to take a ferry, shuttle, or non-public transportation to Santa Teresa.
By ferry
The Puntarenas Ferry departs a number of instances a day and takes roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach at Paquera. The ferry’s availability and schedule depends upon the season, so we advocate checking their web site and reserving your tickets forward.
By shuttle
There are additionally non-public/shared shuttles from many of the main vacationer locations in Costa Rica.
From San Jose Airport, a direct shuttle runs to Santa Teresa or Mal Pais twice a day. The pick-up factors are both on the airport or in most accommodations within the San José Worldwide Airport Middle and Alajuela, and the shuttle will carry you on to the ferry in Paquera. One other shuttle picks you up on the opposite aspect, and the whole journey time is roughly 6 hours. The shuttle departs at 7:30am and 1:15pm, costing about USD $50 per individual.
By bus
From Downtown San Jose (Terminal 7-10), a direct bus by Transportes Cobano takes you to Santa Teresa/Mal Pais. The bus brings you on to the ferry, after which picks you up on the opposite aspect, so ensure to maintain your receipt so you may get again on the bus in Paquera. The bus departs at 6:00am and a couple of:00pm on daily basis and prices about USD $12 per individual.
Observe that the bus schedules are timed to reach on the dock proper earlier than the ferry is scheduled to go away. If the ferry schedule modifications, it might have an effect on the bus schedule as nicely. Ensure to contact Transportes Cobano to verify your departure time.
By automotive/taxi
Santa Teresa is situated about 150 km (93 miles) from San José Worldwide Airport. In case you hire a automotive on the airport, take Route 27 to Puntarenas, the place you’ll be able to take the ferry to Paquera. The ferry schedules fluctuate relying on the season, so make sure you try the ferry timetable earlier than you go. The total journey takes about 5 hours.
In case you’re coming from Liberia Airport, reaching Santa Teresa is simpler since there’s no ferry concerned. Simply comply with Route 21 down the Nicoya Peninsula, which is a 170km (105.63mi) drive that takes simply over 4 hours.
On the highway to Mal Pais, Nicoya Peninsula
Issues To Do In Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
At first look, Santa Teresa might seem like fairly distant and unexciting in comparison with Manuel Antonio. That’s how we remembered it from our first go to again in 2016. However as soon as we gave Santa Teresa an opportunity, we discovered it to be an thrilling vacation spot stuffed with actions.
You’ll be able to by no means go flawed with seashores.
Loosen up On The Santa Teresa Seashores
Simply as you’d count on from a coastal city, there are loads of lovely seashores to decide on from in and round Santa Teresa. As a result of rougher seas and plenty of surfers, the seashores aren’t identified to be nice for swimming, however there are just a few bays and nooks on the shoreline the place swimming is feasible. You too can discover some cozy seaside chairs, sit again, and soak all of it up.
Playa Santa Teresa (Santa Teresa Seaside)
Playa Santa Teresa is a large, lengthy seaside with smooth sand with the ocean on one aspect and jungle on the opposite. It’s one of the in style spots in Santa Teresa. Take a look at the native dive bar “La Lora Amarilla” for dance and music occasions all year long.
A romantic sundown
Playa Carmen
Playa Carmen lies between Santa Teresa and Malpais. Its extensive, sandy seaside is nice for absorbing the solar or catching just a few waves. Swimming in Playa Carmen (and Playa Santa Teresa) is just not advisable, because the waves and currents are very sturdy.
Santa Teresa North
The north finish of the primary seaside is barely rockier however makes for a really picturesque panorama. This is without doubt one of the extra scenic seashores within the space and a stunning place to go for a sundown stroll. Go at low tide and benefit from the massive pool, which is ideal for bathing and snorkelling.
Playa Hermosa
In case you take the highway in the direction of Samara and Nosara and switch off to the left, you’ll discover Playa Hermosa. The identify “Playa Hermosa” actually means “lovely seaside,” and it’s clear to see why! Vast, sandy, tropical seaside lined with palm timber.
Extra seaside views..
Beautiful views..
A peaceable day to spend your time within the space.
Beautiful view in your Costa Rican day journey.
Browsing In Santa Teresa Or Mal Pais
In case you are a surfer or somebody who needs to take up browsing, you’ll discover no scarcity of issues to do in Santa Teresa! This area is thought for its distinctive surf tradition, completely different breaks, and a continuing swell all 12 months spherical. Most accommodations and retailers dotted alongside the primary highway on the town provide surf rental retailers and surf classes.
Santa Teresa can be dwelling to one of the legendary surf breaks in Costa Rica, often called “Suck Rock,” situated in entrance of the Crimson Palm Villas Resort. Subsequent to Suck Rock, there may be “La Lora,” often called one of the constant seaside breaks.
Playa Santa Teresa, Playa Carmen, and the close by seaside within the city of Mal Pais all provide world-class browsing alternatives for surfers of all talent ranges. Newbie surfers will notably love Santa Teresa Seaside, particularly throughout the dry season when the waves are a lot calmer. In the meantime, the wet season sees method larger waves, completely excellent for hole breaks.
The mild surf alongside Playa Hermosa makes it a great place for instructing surf newbies.
Browsing is a well-liked exercise on this area.
Surf lesson on the seaside.
Go to Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve
Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve is Costa Rica’s first protected space established again in 1963. The reserve encompasses 1,172 hectares of humid tropical forest and a wealthy jungle and marine ecosystem. It’s a combined forest and can be dwelling to many seabirds, together with brown pelicans, laughing gulls, and ospreys.
In case you’re fortunate, you might also catch glimpses of a number of the wildlife, resembling white-tailed deer, armadillos, anteaters, howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, porcupines, and coatis, to call however just a few!
Cabo Blanco is situated a brief drive away from Santa Teresa and gives just a few nice climbing and horseback driving trails, starting from 1km to 8kms. It’s an wonderful place for a day journey.
Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve from above
Test Out Montezuma Waterfalls
Take a brief drive (about 40 minutes) to the close by city of Montezuma for a straightforward 1km (0.6 miles) hike to the well-known Montezuma waterfalls. There are three waterfalls to go to: the higher falls, center falls, and decrease falls.
The higher falls are literally the smallest, which makes them a nice possibility for these with children. The center falls are about 12 meters excessive and are literally fairly hidden between the higher and decrease falls, making it really feel like a hidden gem whenever you stumble upon them.
The decrease waterfall is the biggest and hottest, with its 25-meter drop-off and a beautiful pool appropriate for a refreshing dip after a protracted hike.
Deliver a washing swimsuit and a few snacks, and you may spend a complete day hanging out by the completely different waterfalls, cooling off within the waters and simply having fun with nature.
Montezuma Waterfall
Expertise the Montezuma Cover Tour
Montezuma Cover Tour gives an alternate option to see the Montezuma Falls. The Cover (aka zip line) is owned by SunTrails and consists of 9 cables and 11 platforms suspended excessive above the rainforest.
You’ll be able to fly excessive over the rainforest and end your tour on the higher falls of the Montezuma Waterfall – so make sure you carry your swimming wear so you’ll be able to take a refreshing dip afterwards!
Zip Line Tour departs day by day at 9:00, 13:00, and 15:00.
This exercise bears a 4 Leaf Sustainable Certification, so you’ll be able to make certain that your tour shall be accountable.
Can you see the falls?
Go to Curú Wildlife Reserve
Animal lovers can not miss visiting Curu Wildlife Reserve in Santa Teresa, the nation’s first non-public wildlife refuge. This paradise covers about 1,496 hectares of forests, mangroves, seashores, and marine habitats. With its excessive biodiversity, you’ll be able to spot monkeys, coatis, scarlet macaws, white-tailed deer, and a whole bunch of different species of tropical and migratory birds native to this area.
You’ll be able to go to by yourself or arrange a guided tour. The reserve is open from 7 AM to three PM.
Squirrel Monkey
Apply Yoga in Santa Teresa
Browsing and yoga go hand in hand in most locations, and Santa Teresa is not any exception. Beginning out as a small bohemian coastal city, there are loads of yoga lessons and yoga studios all through Santa Teresa and the Nicoya Peninsula.
Let your observe take you to the seaside at Vajra Sol, the place you’ll be able to select from yoga, surf, and arise paddle. If you wish to check out all these actions whereas creating that inside concord, there’s an in depth 7-day Surf & Yoga Expertise that packs quite a lot of conscious and inventive actions into one unforgettable week.
Yoga on the seaside.
Go to Tortuga Island
Tortuga Island, situated off the southeastern shore of the Nicoya Peninsula, is a lush tropical paradise with white sand seashores, inexperienced jungles, and calm, crystal-clear waters superb for snorkelling.
It is just accessible by boat, however loads of full-day journeys go away from Santa Teresa, Puntarenas, or Montezuma on daily basis. It’s not unusual to see dolphins alongside the best way. As soon as on the island, spend a while lounging on the seaside or exploring the island’s many trails.
Catch A Sundown
The Pacific Coast boasts a number of the world’s finest sunsets, and Costa Rica’s are robust to beat. So, discover a beachfront restaurant or nab a patch of sand at Playa Santa Teresa for priceless sundown ocean views.
You received’t be alone, both.
Playa Santa Teresa and different seashores within the space begin filling up come night time. Catching an excellent sundown is just a proper of passage for anybody spending time in lovely Santa Teresa.
Catching the sundown is a must-do.
The place To Eat In Santa Teresa
With a stacked roster of scrumptious eating places, consuming was our favorite pastime within the space. In terms of culinary delights, this laid-back seaside city is small however mighty.
- Earth Cafe: Serving up scrumptious breakfasts and lunches, Earth Cafe in Santa Teresa gives tasty but wholesome bites. The cafe is a perfect lunch spot after a day on the waves, with vibrant poke bowls, contemporary seafood, and smoothies.
- Burger Rancho: One other one in all our favourites was Burger Rancho, which gives an excellent collection of gluten-free dishes, burgers, and seafood specialties.
- The Somos Cafe: This former travelling Airstream is now completely arrange amongst lush timber and a sun-soaked patio. The Somos Cafe menu is made up nearly completely of house-made meals sourced from the encircling areas.
- Zula: Curb your Israeli meals cravings with Zula. They provide one of the best falafel and hummus on the town and generally have reside music.
- Papaya Lounge: Constructed into the aspect of a rocky cliff, Papaya Lounge gives a number of the finest views round. It’s a part of the boutique lodge, Lodge Moana and gives a menu crafted from native substances.
- Kojis: We visited Santa Teresa’s iconic Japanese restaurant, Kojis, for dinner one evening and have been impressed to be taught that every one their meals is regionally sourced. They’ve nice sushi, too! And if you happen to’re hoping to mingle with Santa Teresa’s celeb residents, Tom Brady is thought to be a Kojis fan.
- Drift Bar: Vegetarians, head straight to Drift Bar! Most eating places within the space provide veggie choices, however Drift focuses on them. Additionally they have an on-site artwork gallery and an in depth cocktail listing.
- Native sodas (small Costa Rican eateries): For breakfast, we are able to by no means say no to an excellent conventional breakfast of Gallo Pinto, eggs, and fried plantains.
- The Bakery: In case you’re searching for an American breakfast, this place throughout Playa Carmen gives nice (though barely overpriced) choices.
- Zwart Artwork Cafe: Additionally an excellent breakfast spot, with an added bonus of artwork appreciation by the artist, Margriet Zwart.
- Inexperienced World Meals Retailer: In case you occur to be staying someplace with a kitchen, or simply need picnic provides and snacks, head right here.This gem sources from native farmers, and shares principally natural and pure items.
- For useful suggestions for travelling Costa Rica as a vegetarian or vegan, click on right here.
Having fun with sundown drinks at Habanero in Santa Teresa
The city of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Sundown
With a number of the finest sunsets on the Pacific, having a sundowner cocktail is a should in your go to. There are various beachside bars, some even internet hosting full-on seaside events. Banana Seaside Restaurant might be the most well-liked spot to flock for a nightcap, however we desire a extra peaceable setting.
Uma at Playa Cielo (previously Habaneros) is an superior enjoyable spot to look at the sundown. Or, if you happen to wish to overlook the attractive seashores from the hillside, try Brukas, not removed from Kojis.
Zwart Artwork Cafe, Santa Teresa
The place to Keep in Santa Teresa, CR
Seeking to keep at a Santa Teresa lodge? Santa Teresa and the encircling areas outdoors Santa Teresa city, from Malpais to Playa Manzanillo, are a haven of boutique accommodations with an emphasis on sustainability. The perfect half is that they’re not all high-end luxurious suites, so guests on any finances can ebook their dream trip.
- Cuatro Vientos: Among the best accommodations within the space, These lovely shiny suites are steps from Playa Mal País and provide apartment-style lodging. Cuatro Vientos is right for travellers on a tighter finances, being inside strolling distance of city and offering amenities to prepare dinner your personal meals. They’ve carried out a number of sustainable initiatives to scale back consumption and help the group.
- Canaima Chill Home: The Canaima Chill Home is an “eco-chic lodge” nestled within the jungle oasis, simply 500 meters (0.31 miles) from the seaside. It combines rustic appeal, eco-design, and luxurious with spacious suites, an out of doors sizzling tub, a swimming pool, bamboo hanging beds, therapeutic massage providers, and a solar terrace.
- Dreamcatcher Lodge – Atrapasueños: Steps from the seaside, the Dreamcatcher Lodge – Atrapasueños is a picturesque retreat. Full with an out of doors pool, spa, and wellness centre, the property is all about embracing nature. Take pleasure in tranquillity whereas nonetheless being near a lot of retailers and eating places.
How A lot Time Do I Want In Santa Teresa?
Must you add Santa Teresa to your Costa Rican itinerary? We’d say do it when you’ve got the time. Come for browsing or swimming and count on to spend your days enjoyable.
Santa Teresa