Things to do in Santa Teresa

Best time to visit Santa Teresa

• a note or something on   ✦ an occasion worth the trip

• December to April

  Dry season, best weather, biggest swells; busiest and priciest.

• May to August

  Green season; afternoon rains, good surf, fewer crowds, better prices.

• September and October

  Heaviest rain; some businesses close, roads get rough.

• November

  Transitional; rains taper, crowds have not arrived yet.

Best things to do in Santa Teresa

• Playa Santa Teresa

  $$

  The main surf beach with waves for all levels; mornings are cleanest.

• Playa Carmen

  $$

  Sheltered southern beach, best for learning, with beach clubs.

• Playa Hermosa

  Free

  Wilder northern beach with tide pools; for experienced surfers.

• Playa Mal País

  Free

  Mellow fishing-village beach with surf and the coast's best sunsets.

• Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve

  $

  Costa Rica's first protected area: rainforest trails to a wild beach.

• Del Soul Surf School

  $$

  Established surf school; book the 8am lesson for the cleanest waves.

• Iguana Divers

  $$$

  Dive, snorkel and Tortuga Island day trips with beach barbecue.

Best restaurants in Santa Teresa

• Manzú Restaurant

  $$$

  Refined Latin and seafood; the town's special-occasion dinner. Reserve.

• Eat Street

  $$

  Food hall with a dozen stalls; the answer when the group can't agree.

• Third Eye Restaurant

  $$

  Caribbean-Latin-Mediterranean fusion in a garden with live music.

• Pronto Piccola Italia

  $$

  Proper Italian with vegetarian and vegan options.

• Satori Sushi

  $$$

  Japanese-Peruvian sushi with very fresh fish; best on the peninsula.

• The Somos Restaurant

  $$

  Healthy Central American cooking and cocktails in a stylish room.

• Rocamar

  $$

  Playa Carmen beach club: loungers by day, seafood and sunset by night.

• Banana Beach

  $$

  Classic beach club with day beds and a solid restaurant.

Outdoor things to do in Santa Teresa

• Montezuma Waterfalls

  Free

  Triple waterfall with swimmable pools; go early, wear grippy shoes.

• Isla Tortuga

  $$$

  Postcard island day trip: white sand, snorkeling, beach barbecue.

• Curu Wildlife Refuge

  $$

  Private refuge with easy trails, monkeys, deer and a calm beach.

Best hotels in Santa Teresa

• Hotel Tropico Latino

  $$$

  Established beachfront hotel with yoga, pool and wellness services.

• Hotel Santa Teresa By The Beach

  $$

  Well-reviewed beachfront rooms; good value for the location.

• Shaka Costa Rica

  $$

  Social surf-oriented hotel near the center.

• Hotel Buenos Aires

  $$

  Well-kept mid-range rooms; a reliable central pick.

• Otro Lado Lodge and Restaurant

  $$

  Small lodge with a good restaurant on site.

• Hotel Nantipa - A Tico Beach Experience

  $$$$

  Beachfront boutique hotel with direct sand access and privacy.

• Flor Blanca

  $$$$

  Five-star eco-conscious resort in the forest above the beach.

• Casa Chameleon at Mal País

  $$$$

  Adults-oriented hillside retreat with plunge pools and views.

Is Santa Teresa expensive? What a day costs

A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room

What to book ahead

• Del Soul Surf School: a few days ahead
• Iguana Divers: a few days ahead
• Isla Tortuga: a few days ahead
• Manzú Restaurant: a few days ahead
• Satori Sushi: a few days ahead
• Hotel Tropico Latino: weeks ahead
• Hotel Santa Teresa By The Beach: weeks ahead
• Hotel Nantipa - A Tico Beach Experience: weeks ahead

• Manzú and Satori Sushi: reserve dinner ahead in high season.
• Del Soul surf lessons: book the day before; 8am slots go first.
• Hotels December to April: book weeks ahead; the good ones sell out.

Is Santa Teresa safe?

• Santa Teresa is generally safe with beach-town caveats: petty theft from rooms and beach bags is the main issue, and the dark main road is dangerous to walk at night. Emergency number: 911.

Santa Teresa travel tips: tourist traps to skip

• Quad rentals are the main source of tourist injuries; wear the helmet, skip night riding.
• Beach clubs charge lounger minimum spends; check the deal before sitting down.
• The wellness upsell is everywhere; prices are high for what you get.

Getting around Santa Teresa: public transport and more

• The town runs along one main dirt road; rent a quad, bike or golf cart to move between beaches.
• Walking the beach between Carmen and town is pleasant; the road is dusty.
• Taxis are available but pricey for short hops; agree the fare first.
• Getting here takes planning: ferry plus drive, domestic flight to Tambor, or a long drive from San José.

Who Santa Teresa suits

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