The village
Santa Teresa is a small village on the Nicoya Peninsula, along Costa Rica's Pacific coast. It consists of just one central street along a white sandy beach. All the hotels, hostels and restaurants are located on this central street.
Santa Teresa's main source of income is tourism, and the infrastructure has developed considerably over the last 10 years. Despite this, there are very few tall buildings, and the forest that stretches right down to the beach is still very well preserved.
What's more, all the accommodation, especially the lodges, blends in perfectly with the landscape. It's a very pleasant place for nature lovers.
The village of Santa Teresa was one of the highlights of the TV show
Echapées Belles in Costa Rica.
The beach
Santa Teresa beach is particularly popular for its currents and the quality of its waves, ideal for surfing. There are plenty of stores in the village where you can buy or hire boards and equipment, and numerous surf schools offering lessons for all levels and ages.
If you're not keen on this sport, there are plenty of other activities on offer! For example, you can go horseback riding, boating or quad biking, go tree climbing and zip-lining in the forest of Cabo Blanco National Park, or take yoga and pilates classes to relax your body and mind. In the evening, settle down on the beach to enjoy an incredible sunset.
What to do in Santa Teresa
If you're staying in the region for several days and want to extend your visit a little, there are several other very pleasant places to discover around Santa Teresa, such as Montezuma and the Cabo Blanco reserve.
The village of Montezuma is very picturesque and peaceful. It's also famous for its impressive waterfalls, about a 30-minute walk from the center. The Cabo Blanco reserve is the country's oldest protected area.
It was reforested at 85% after many years of deforestation, and this has enabled numerous animal species and many endangered fish in particular to reproduce within the reserve.
You'll be able to admire many species such as howler or white-faced monkeys, squirrels, deer, agoutis and coatis, as well as numerous birds such as toucans or migratory birds, and last but not least, many marine species including molluscs and crabs.
Surfing...
If you love surfing, nature, coconut palms, unspoilt beaches and good restaurants.... Santa Teresa is the place for you!
Santa Teresa and Malpais form a group of beaches much sought-after by surfers. For those in the know, this region is renowned for its long straight line, surfable in all seasons! There's a minimum of one meter every day on clean water. Ideal for beginners and experts alike!
No worries for beginners! Let yourself be guided by the locals, many of whom give surfing lessons from the beach! Pura Vida atmosphere, surfing and relaxation guaranteed. You'll see immediate progress!
My favorite spot is the one known as "la Lora" opposite Santa Teresa. Here you're faced with a white sandy beach, with no rocks and regular waves.
... and not only
To reduce Santa Teresa to surfing would be a mistake. Here you'll find a region in perfect harmony with nature, and its inhabitants are living proof of this. Indeed, you'll find many inhabitants, including howler monkeys (Mono Congo), agoutis, capuchin monkeys and kinkajou.
You're only 25 kilometers from the Cabo Blanco reserve, one of Costa Rica's first protected reserves. A little-known place, but one I'd be delighted to help you visit!
If you'd like to dive and enjoy the seabed with a mask and snorkel or with tanks, the region will delight you. Its waters are teeming with tropical fish, dolphins and, in season, whales migrating off the coast. My favorite spot is the one known by locals as "los Suecos" or the secret beach, located next to the Cabo Blanco reserve. Here, natural pools form at low tide, allowing you to easily observe hundreds of colorful fish, octopuses and crustaceans!
Santa Teresa and Malpais are also wellness resorts. Many hotels have magnificent spas, with treatments based on cocoa, volcanic stones from nearby volcanoes and natural creams made from local fruit! A real treat!
I also remember my yoga classes on the beach! Pura Vida" takes on its full meaning here. It's no coincidence that many yoga retreats take place here! Personally, I prefer yoga sessions on the hillside overlooking Santa Teresa Bay, with a panorama like no other!
Finally, I must mention the gastronomy. Many restaurants here offer traditional dishes with a twist. No more "Casado" (
see our article), here you'll enjoy uniquely flavored dishes using local ingredients. Almost all restaurants offer vegetarian and/or vegan dishes. Stop by and say hello to the team at Restaurant Manzu, who work with the best small-scale local producers!
Our team will be happy to help you organize your stay in Costa Rica and Santa Teresa!
Would you like to discover Costa Rica and the beach of Santa Teresa like in the TV show Echapées Belles? We've created a tour based on the show's itinerary: See the "escapée belle au Costa Rica" tour.
