Santa Teresa, Costa Rica: the complete guide

Santa Teresa is a surf town on the southwestern tip of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, strung along a coast road with Mal País to the south and Playa Hermosa to the north. It's known for consistent waves, big sunsets, yoga and a young, international crowd. Plan on a long travel day to get here, a car or ATV if you stay off the main road, and dust or mud depending on the season.

Santa Teresa in a nutshell

Santa Teresa started out as a remote fishing and farming village at the end of a bad road. Surfers found its waves decades ago, and over the last 15 years it has turned into one of Costa Rica's best-known beach towns. Today it draws surfers, yoga students, remote workers, honeymooners and families from all over the world, and it still feels like a place where most people walk around barefoot.

It isn't a resort town with a neat center. It's a long, thin strip of hotels, restaurants, shops and homes along a single coast road, with the jungle climbing the hills behind and the Pacific in front. That shape explains a lot about life here: where you stay matters, the road is the town's main street, and everyone ends up on the beach at sunset.

How the area is laid out

The road from Cóbano, the district's main inland town, comes over the hill and meets the coast at a T-junction at Playa Carmen.

North (turn right): Santa Teresa proper. South Santa Teresa is close to the junction and practical. North Santa Teresa is the busiest stretch, with many restaurants and bars and the surf around La Lora. Keep going and you reach Playa Hermosa, then Manzanillo.
South (turn left): Mal País, quieter and rockier, with a small fishing harbor. The road continues toward Cabuya and the Cabo Blanco reserve.
Inland: Cóbano, about 20 minutes uphill, has banks, a clinic, gas and larger stores. Montezuma is beyond it, on the gulf side of the peninsula.

The beaches

Playa Santa Teresa: the main surf beach, long and lively, with tide pools on the rocks.
Playa Carmen: central and busy, where most people learn to surf.
Playa Hermosa: long, flat and quiet, good for families and beginners.
Mal País: rocky coves, tide pools and calm sunsets.

All face west, so every evening ends with the sun dropping into the sea. Read our beach guide for swimming safety, because rip currents are common.

What to do

Surf is the main event, with something for every level. See our surf guide. Beyond the waves, people come for yoga, to hike Cabo Blanco, swim at Montezuma Waterfall, take a boat to Tortuga Island, zipline, ride ATVs and eat well. Our things to do and day trips guides cover it all.

Where to stay and eat

Accommodation runs from hostels and surf houses to boutique beachfront hotels and private villas, and the food scene ranges from simple Costa Rican sodas to beachfront fine dining. Start with where to stay and where to eat.

Getting there

Santa Teresa is about 150 km from San José in a straight line, but it takes most of a day to get here. The most common routes are:

Drive and ferry: Drive from San José to Puntarenas, take the car ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya to Paquera, then drive about 1 hour 15 minutes to Santa Teresa.
Fly: Small planes fly from San José to the Cóbano airstrip, about 10 km from town. Flights that used to land at Tambor have moved there.
Shuttle: Shared and private shuttles run from San José and Liberia airports and other beach towns.

Our getting there guide compares every option, including the bus and the water taxi from Jacó.

Roads, dust and the seasons

Much of the local road network is still gravel or dirt. In 2024 the local council approved paving the town's streets, but check current conditions before you come. In the dry season, from about December to April, the dust can be thick; in the green season, from about May to November, roads can be muddy and potholed. Read roads, dust and rainy season and the best time to visit.

Practical basics

Money: The colón is the local currency, and US dollars are widely accepted. Cards work in most hotels and restaurants. There are ATMs in town and in Cóbano, but they sometimes run out of cash on busy weekends.
Health: For anything beyond minor issues, the nearest clinic services are in Cóbano. Bring a basic first-aid kit for surf cuts and scrapes.
Safety: Petty theft is the main issue. Don't leave valuables on the beach or in cars, and lock your room.
Internet: Fast connections are available in many hotels and coworking spaces, but power cuts still happen. See our digital nomad guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Teresa, Costa Rica worth visiting?

If you like surfing, beaches, sunsets, yoga and a relaxed international crowd, yes. If you want smooth roads, shopping and a quiet resort, you may prefer somewhere else.

How many days do you need in Santa Teresa?

At least 4 or 5 nights, given the long journey. Many visitors stay a week or more to surf, do yoga and take a couple of day trips.

Is Santa Teresa the same as Mal País?

They're neighbors along the same coast. Santa Teresa runs north from the Playa Carmen junction, and Mal País runs south. People often use the names together.

What's the nearest airport to Santa Teresa?

For domestic flights, the Cóbano airstrip, about 10 km from town. For international flights, San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR), both several hours away by road and ferry.

Do I need a 4x4 in Santa Teresa?

Not always, but a car with good clearance helps, and a 4x4 is useful in the rainy season and on hilly side roads.