Santa Teresa

Ideal stay

5 nights or more

The vibe

Dusty, barefoot, surf-and-yoga

From our guides

1. 01

   Playa Carmen and the main break

   The two central stretches run into each other along the same sand, with beach break peaks that work at most tides and surf schools at the southern end.

2. 02

   Playa Hermosa

   North of town, wider and emptier, with a gentler wave and long stretches of sand to walk at low tide. The default choice for sunset.

3. 03

   Montezuma waterfalls

   Forty minutes around the peninsula, a series of falls and pools reached on a short scramble upstream from the village. Busy at weekends.

4. 04

   Cabo Blanco Reserve

   Costa Rica's oldest protected area, at the tip of the peninsula, with a forest trail down to an empty beach and a good chance of monkeys and coatis.

5. 05

   Yoga decks

   Studios and retreat spaces are everywhere and drop-in classes are the norm. Morning and sunset sessions on open decks are part of the local rhythm.

6. 06

   Sunset on the sand

   The whole town gathers on the beach at the end of the day, boards down, for a sun that drops straight into the Pacific. Bring a drink and stay put.

1. Fly to

   San José (SJO)

   Nearest airport to Santa Teresa, about 112km away as the crow flies.

2. Then

   To Santa Teresa

   Tambor (TMU) takes small domestic aircraft from San Jose and is about 45 minutes by road; most visitors arrive at San Jose (SJO) and either take that hop or drive and use the Puntarenas to Paquera ferry, around five hours in all.

3. On the ground

   Getting around

   One unpaved road runs behind the beach through Santa Teresa and Mal Pais, and quad bikes, scooters and 4x4 taxis are how everyone gets about.

Public transport: Local buses connect Santa Teresa with Cobano and the ferry, but they are slow and run only a few times a day.

Boutique jungle hotels, surf hostels, yoga retreats and villas up the hillsides, almost all small. No chains, no high rises, and the road determines how easy each one is to reach.

• Best base overall

  Playa Carmen

  The crossroads end of the strip, closest to the supermarkets and the surf schools, with the beach a short walk through the trees. The main road is unpaved and dusty in dry season.

  Find stays in Playa Carmen →
• Best for nightlife

  Santa Teresa centre

  The middle of the strip, where the sushi places, beach clubs and yoga studios cluster and the music runs late. Walkable at night, which is rare here.

  Find stays in Santa Teresa centre →
• Best with children

  Playa Hermosa

  The wide, gentler beach at the northern end, with more space and calmer surf lessons. Rip currents are still a real hazard, so pick a hotel with a pool as well.

  Find stays in Playa Hermosa →
• Quietest

  Mal Pais

  South of the junction, a fishing village with small hotels among the trees and far fewer people. You will need a quad bike or a four wheel drive to get anywhere.

  Find stays in Mal Pais →

Worth knowing before you book: The December to April dry season peaks over Christmas and Easter, when minimum stays appear. The road in from the ferry is rough, so allow far longer than the map suggests.

Getting there

Ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera then an hour of rough road, or a small domestic flight to Tambor with a transfer. Allow most of a day either way.

Driving

The main road is unpaved, potholed and dusty in the dry season, and fords streams in the wet. A high-clearance 4x4 is the sensible hire.

Safety

Rip currents are strong along these beaches and there are no lifeguards. Ask locally about conditions, and swim where the surfers are sitting.

Cash or card

Colones and US dollars both circulate, and cards work in most places. Keep cash for shuttles, fruit stands and the smaller kitchens.

Timing

December to April is dry, sunny and busiest. May to November brings afternoon rain, greener hills and noticeably lower prices.