Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Santa Teresa Beach

Santa Teresa has become a trendy and booming new travel destination in Costa Rica which attracts especially surfers and the beachbound younger crowds to its great waves, broad sandy beaches and dramatic sunsets.

The secret wasn't well kept. Surfers, raving about the exquisite beaches and world class surf in Santa Teresa have drawn the international scene to their new eldorado. Many who just came for a surf vacation in Costa Rica fell in love with Santa Teresa and never left. The cosmopolitan newcomers add their spices and styles to the local flavor, so that now there is an array of hotels, resorts, vacation rentals and dining options available.

Surf Shack on Playa Carmen

Formerly a small fishermen's village, Santa Teresa has quickly developed into a lively little town, with new cabinas, hotels, and shops that seem to be popping up every day along the 5 kms of dirt road.
New services include doctors, banks with ATM machines, car and ATV rentals and hotels offering fast wireless internet to their guests.
A lot of surfer-oriented hotels, shops and surf instructors cater for the town's main clientele and many people make their first surfing experiences in Santa Teresa as the easy going surf is well suited for beginners.
See » Surf in Mal Pais and Santa Teresa

Pristine beaches to the north of Santa Teresa

However, you mustn't belong to the wave riding set to enjoy your vacation in Santa Teresa. Venture out to discover miles of nearly deserted coastline - you will find some of the most beautiful beaches of Costa Rica.
A broad strip of forest hugs the shore and offers scenic, shady hideaways. Fortunately there aren't yet any high-rise buildings in Santa Teresa and construction is hidden behind the trees so that you enjoy unspoiled views of natural beach scenery.
Besides beach combing there are many other pastimes on offer: you can make fishing tours, do snorkeling, kite surfing, horseback riding, or a canopy tour in Mal Pais on the fringe of the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve.
Health oriented hotels and resorts offer different styles of yoga, massage and spa services and you might even participate in classes of capoeira, fire dance or acrobatics.

Sunset gathering on the beach

For tours to Montezuma or the Nature Reserve of Cabo Blanco you can rent a car, or get an ATV for an adventurous fun ride. Don't drive on the beach however - it is prohibited in Costa Rica, and it is neither environmentally friendly.

For sunset everybody heads to the beach. Those who aren't busy with catching the last waves of the day, congregate on the sand to admire the usual spectacular sunset over the Pacific ocean while making plans for the evening.

Surf at sunset

Especially in high season there is no shortage of nightlife in Santa Teresa. You can dive into the steaming atmosphere of a "Baile" in the Saloon where a Costa Rican life band plays popular, latin music. Or maybe there is a party in a beach bar with some international DJ's spinning electronic dance music.
Very popular with locals and tourists alike are the reggae nights which are so perfectly in tune with the tropical lifestyle.

Detailed Maps of Santa Teresa Area with Hotels:

» Playa Carmen and Playa Santa Teresa
» Playa Santa Teresa to Playa Hermosa

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