Intruduction to Santa Teresa Beach Area
Santa Teresa Costa Rica offers an abundance of experiences beyond its stunning beaches and constant waves.
Enjoy adventures of a lifetime with boat tour through the Pacific Ocean and hiking through rain forests, surrounded by fascinating wildlife like monkeys, toucans and more exotic creatures.
Take advantage of thrilling activities such as fishing, surfing, yoga, and stand up paddle, among many others activities to do in Santa Teresa Beach.
In Santa Teresa, you will also find women’s retreats, meditation circles, cute coffee shops and friendly servers in restaurants.
There are also a few beach front bars and of course lots of surf spots!
The typical dinner timer is right after sunset time (around 6PM). Restaurants close up kitchen around 9PM.
The beach will always remain the main attraction of Santa Teresa, for its waves, for its fabulous tide pools and for its breath taking Pacific Sunset.
🏝️ What is Santa Teresa, really?
Santa Teresa Beach is more than just a place — it’s a feeling.
It’s that salty air on your skin after an early surf session. It’s the mix of fresh mango, ocean breeze, and the distant sound of howler monkeys that gently wake you up. It’s the kind of destination where your daily schedule flows with the tides.
Located on the southern tip of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa is a long, palm-lined beach town that stretches between Malpaís and Playa Hermosa. Though it was once a remote fishing village, it’s now a haven for travelers seeking nature, health, surf, and simplicity — without losing comfort or good taste.
Our Travel Guide in your Phone
🌊 The Santa Teresa Vibe
The town goes on a long 4.2km-street as its backbone.
There’s no traditional downtown area in Santa Teresa, only one road -go and back- paralel to the beach
The bustling core spans out from the intersection of “El Cruce” on Playa Carmen to the super-popular “SomoS Café”.
You’ll find digital nomads with surfboards under one arm and laptops under the other. Locals riding motorcycles barefoot. Families playing in the tide pools. And long-time travelers who came for a week and stayed for years.
☕ Who Comes to Santa Teresa?
Visitors tend to be conscious travelers: surfers, yoga lovers, digital creatives, couples on romantic getaways, and solo explorers looking for peace. Most people come from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Argentina, especially between December and April, which is dry season.
There’s also a growing number of families and expats who live here long-term, drawn by bilingual schools, safety, and connection with nature.
🌴 What Makes Santa Teresa Special?
-
The light: Sunsets here are surreal. The golden hour makes everything — from waves to palm trees — look like a dream.
-
The surf: It’s a world-class surf destination with waves for every level.
-
The food: From roadside sodas to vegan bakeries and gourmet sushi, Santa Teresa has a surprisingly rich culinary scene.
-
The connection to nature: Monkeys, butterflies, whales, sea turtles — you’ll see them all, sometimes on the same day.
-
The community: Despite the influx of visitors, Santa Teresa retains a small-town feeling. You’ll quickly recognize faces and find “your” spots.
🚫 What It’s Not
-
It’s not a resort town. There are no big hotel chains here. There is no big Beach Front All Inclusive Hotel.
-
It’s not easy to get to. And that’s part of the charm.
-
It’s not a place for rushing. If you’re in a hurry, Santa Teresa will slow you down — and that’s a good thing.
📍 Where Is Santa Teresa?
Santa Teresa is located in the Puntarenas Province, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula. It belongs to the district of Cóbano and sits close to Malpaís, Montezuma, and Cabuya.
Nestled in one of the world’s few Blue Zones, where people are known to live longer and healthier lives, this is a place where wellness is not a trend — it’s a lifestyle.
👉 If you’re wondering how to get here, check out our detailed guide: [How to Get from San José to Santa Teresa]
👉 Want to explore nearby? Read: [Getting Around Santa Teresa Beach]
🧭 Quick Facts
- 📍 Location: Puntarenas Province, Nicoya Peninsula
-
📅 Best Time to Visit: December–April (dry season)
-
🏄♀️ Vibe: Surf, barefoot luxury, slow travel
-
🧘♀️ Popular With: Surfers, digital nomads, yogis, eco-travelers
-
🗣️ Language: Spanish is the official language, but everyone speaks English.
-
🧃 Local tip: Try a smoothie at The Somos Café and a morning yoga class at Trópico Latino
Swimming in Santa Teresa Beach
In general, swimming in Santa Teresa area is not for everyone. Acording on skills levels some tides will be better than others.
Be aware that the currents can be strong and unpredictable.
Thanks to all the effort that Lifeguards Santa Teresa do every day. Swimming in front of them makes everything smooth and easier. Remember to stay close to the shore and pay attention to their signs.
If you’re not a confident swimmer, another option is to stick to the Natural Pools of Mal Pais area, which is also perfect for families with kids to enjoy.
