Santa Teresa is a small beach town located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It is situated in the Puntarenas province, on the Nicoya Peninsula, and has become a popular destination for surfers and beach lovers. Despite its popularity, Santa Teresa has managed to maintain its laid-back vibe and rustic charm, which attracts a younger audience of backpackers, hippies, and lone travelers looking for adventure. The town is surrounded by lush tropical forests and is home to a variety of wildlife, including monkeys, iguanas, and colorful birds.
The town is known for its long stretches of pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and world-class surf breaks. Playa Santa Teresa, Playa Hermosa, and Playa Carmen are some of the most famous beaches in the area, with consistent waves that attract surfers from all over the world. If you stay at Santa Teresa, which is the most developed of the three you can easily move around to the other beaches by walking, taking a short taxi trip, or even renting an atv or a motorcycle.
In addition to surfing, Santa Teresa offers a range of activities, including yoga, horseback riding, and paddle boarding. The town also has a very lively nightlife, with a variety of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.
Local’s tip:
Although Santa Teresa and its neighbor beaches already have a lot to offer, travelers that want to explore more should definitely make the trip to Malpais and Montezuma. Both beach towns are very close to Santa Teresa and are also very beautiful. Malpais is a rocky beach perfect for camping, while Montezuma is a more lively bohemian town with a small nice beach popular among young travelers. You can easily drive, take a taxi, or rent an atv or bike to travel to any of these towns from Santa Teresa.
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Plan your visit
How to get there:
The best route to get to Santa Teresa is to travel to Puntarenas, then take a ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera, and then continue the journey in the peninsula to Santa Teresa. If you’r driving you can easily travel from San Jose to Puntarenas which is like 2 hours, buy a ferry ticket in Puntarenas, take the ferry across the bay, and drive another hour and 30 minutes to Santa Teresa. If you traveling by bus you can take a bus from San Jose directly to Santa Teresa. This same bus also stops in Malpais and Montezuma.
Bus options from San Jose:
The buses from San Jose are managed by Transporte Hermanos Rodríguez. Tel.: 2221-7479, 2642-1112. The journey takes around 6 hours to complete including the part where you travel by ferry. The price is $15 USD including the ferry ticket.
Departure time options from San Jose: 6am and 2pm
Return time options from Santa Teresa: 7am and 3pm
