If you are thinking about visiting Santa Teresa, Costa Rica and you are searching for the perfect beachfront hotel do not look any further than Florblanca Resort!
Florblanca is a romantic resort that sits along Costa Rica’s Pacific coastline, the five-mile Santa Teresa Beach Break, and offers both luxury and remote jungle lodge rather than a crowded tourist location.
The hubby and I have stayed at Florblanca Resort three times and we even got engaged at the property so I am partial to making Florblanca Hotel and Resort my home while staying in Costa Rica.
You will find howling monkeys dangling from the trees as you sip on Caipirinhas while the waves from the ocean beat against the shoreline.
Florblanca is located on seven acres of the mostly undeveloped shore which sits along the edge of thick rainforest and is at the quieter northern end of the town of Santa Teresa.
The hotel is far from the crowds which my husband and I loved and it was just enough visitors on the property just in case you wanted to mingle with other people instead of your spouse.
Florblanca Resort Review
Florblanca Resort is Located approximately 100 miles from San Jose International Airport. After you take the short flight from San Jose to Santa Teresa you will be in paradise and this will be the best decision you ever made.
There are a few ways to get from San Jose to the Mal Pais area, choosing the right way to travel for you typically depends on your flight times along with and your budget and who you are traveling with.
You will know are at the doors of heaven once you see a wooden sign displaying the name Florblanca with a white Florblanca flower.
My hubby and I made our way around the charming hand-paved driveway made from stone that feels just as luxurious as the resort itself.
We were welcomed to the resort in an area adjacent to the parking lot which has a thatched roof and allows you to meet the staff, drop your luggage off, and receive a refreshing welcome cocktail. Once you drop your luggage off someone from the staff will walk you to your villa.
Villas are tucked within the lush landscape, denoted by little signs that will come in handy, especially after dark. The main pathway eventually lands at the front office, restaurant, and outdoor pool.
Beyond here is a natural beach area with mature trees, hand-carved picnic benches, hammocks, surfboards, and a Bio Garden.
The beach has a dozen or so lounge chairs that can be dragged under the trees for shade — a great spot to watch sunsets.
The 11 villas open up to these dramatic surroundings. Bedrooms are air-conditioned, but the bathrooms and living areas are open-air (and completely private).
When we checked we were both told to keep the lock on the refrigerator because the animals in Santa Teresa are known for being extremely comfortable around humans. On our last night at the resort, we forgot to lock up the fridge and when we returned arrived to keep the locks on the fridge because the
Villas Types
STANDARD RATES – valid Jan 11, 2019 – April 30, 2019 & Dec 1, 2019 – Dec 19, 2019
| VILLA TYPE | PER NIGHT | ACCOMMODATION |
|---|---|---|
| Superior one-bedroom villa 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 | $600.00 | Based on 2 pax – King bed |
| Deluxe one-bedroom villa #1 | $750.00 | Based on 2 pax – King bed |
| Superior two bedroom villa 2, 5, 10 ($100 extra person – max 5 pax) | $850.00 | Based on 4 pax – King bed + 2 single beds |
| The “Honeymoon House” on the beach – Villa #11 | $975.00 | Based on 2 pax – King bed |
| Surf House ($50 extra person – max 6 pax) | $500.00 | Based on 2 pax – King bed |
SPECIAL GREEN SEASON RATES – May 1, 2019 – November 30, 2019 (Blackout Date: Thanksgiving Week)
**One free night with a minimum 5-night stay in May and June 2019
| VILLA TYPE | PER NIGHT | ACCOMMODATION |
|---|---|---|
| Superior one-bedroom villa 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 | $400.00 | Based on 2 pax – King bed |
| Deluxe one-bedroom villa #1 | $550.00 | Based on 2 pax – King bed |
| Superior two bedroom villa 2, 5, 10 ($100 extra person – max 5 pax) | $675.00 | Based on 4 pax – King bed + 2 single beds |
| The “Honeymoon House” on the beach – Villa #11 | $775.00 | Based on 2 pax – King bed |
| Surf House ($50 extra person – max 6 pax) | $475.00 | Based on 2 pax – King bed |
HOLIDAY SEASON RATES – December 20, 2019 – January 10, 2020
| VILLA TYPE | PER NIGHT | ACCOMMODATION |
|---|---|---|
| Superior one-bedroom villa 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 | $850.00 | Based on 2 pax – King bed |
| Deluxe one-bedroom villa #1 | $900.00 | Based on 2 pax – King bed |
| Superior two bedroom villa 2, 5, 10 ($100 extra person – max 5 pax) | $975.00 | Based on 4 pax – King bed + 2 single beds |
| The “Honeymoon House” on the beach – Villa #11 | $1,050.00 | Based on 2 pax – King bed |
| Surf House ($50 extra person – max 6 pax) | $750.00 | Based on 2 pax – King bed |
The atmosphere at Florblanca Resort
Surf sessions turn to sunset cocktails, and sunset cocktails turn into gourmet dinners with wine. The vibe is classy and yet never strays far from the rugged environment.
You will admire the lush jungle surrounds from behind bamboo beams in the giant Jacuzzi at Spa Bambu. Named for the white blooms on the local frangipani trees, the resort is the best-kept secret on the Nicoya Peninsula and most visitors want to keep this secluded gem hidden.
At any time there are only a few dozen guests so the staff caters to your every need and nothing is too big or too small so their guests can feel special.
The sand is dotted with lounge chairs, which have full food and drink service where you can watch sea turtles and iguanas wander on the beach.
Bunches of bananas, canopy beds, tile floors, outdoor rain showers, and swinging hammocks are just a few of the amenities.
The grounds blend into the tropical environment, with a waterfall swimming pool and an open-air yoga studio which Stefano runs like a well-oiled machine.
Dining at Florblana Resort
The resort’s open-air Nectar restaurant serves sushi and seafood straight from the ocean, plus a menu ranging from burgers to fresh fruit smoothies.
The atmosphere is casual — no need to change out of bathing suits and shorts before dinner.
The long wine list includes a number of lesser-known Central and South American labels. Sample a bottle or two, with the sound of the waves crashing a few yards away.
Breakfast is served daily from 7 am to 11 am. Our early risers can enjoy aromatic and organic Costa Rican coffee starting at 6 am in our restaurant.
Costa Rica is famous for delectable tropical fruits such as papaya, pineapple, passion fruit, bananas, and more. You will always be served fresh along with the veggies and fruit that are in season.
From healthy fruit smoothies to our traditional Pinto to our Banana Bread French Toast, the breakfast menu features both light and hearty plates to start your day.
Lunch is served from 12 noon- 3 pm. If you have a day excursion planned, they are happy to prepare a box lunch for your afternoon tour.
The lunch menu is varied with a long list of choices. They have a number of healthy salads, burgers, sandwiches, and their famous fish tacos.
The Bar menu will is from 3:30 until 6 pm. The cocktails are unbelievable especially the caipirinha’s, they are not to be missed while enjoying the unforgettable Costa Rica sunset.
Dinner is served from 6 pm-9 pm where you will have a truly authentic culinary experience in our open-air dining room.
Dinner offers a variety of tasty salads, innovative appetizers, and delicious main courses with a heavy emphasis on seafood. There is also a complete sushi menu.
Health and Fitness at Florblanca
Yogi’s and health-conscious travelers will be in heaven once they realize how many choices there are to choose from daily yoga classes, pilates studio, fitness center, surfing, and stand-up-paddle boarding.
If you are like me and just want to relax, you can take walks on the beach, enjoy the outdoor pool and the spa, or even just lay in your bed and chill.
Surfing in Santa Teresa
If you are visiting Santa Teresa you probably are an avid surfer. Just minutes from your villa door are beautiful beach breaks at Playa Hermosa and Playa Santa Teresa.
You can hire a local surf instructor, where you will learn the basics of surfing. Florblanca offers beginner and intermediate boards that are free of charge for all guests.
Whether it’s your first time paddling out or you’re looking to hang ten, surfing is not to be missed at Florblanca. Surfing put Santa Teresa on the map, and it continues to impress globetrotters in search of the next best wave.
Click here for the latest SURF REPORT
How To Get To Florblanca
There are a few ways to get from San Jose to the Mal Pais area, choosing the right way to travel for you typically depends on your flight times and budget while traveling.
Here are the few options you have available to you to get from San Jose to our beautiful and peaceful beach town of Santa Teresa:
Driving To Santa Teresa
After landing in San Jose you can rent a car from the airport and drive to Santa Teresa even though I DO NOT suggest driving.
The quickest way is to take Route 27 for about an hour and thirty minutes. Once you arrive in Puntarenas, you will need to take the ferry across the gulf to the small town of Paquera.
The ferry schedules are seasonal so make sure to confirm the times before arriving.
Once you arrive in Paquera, which is approximately an hour and a half, follow the main road to Mal Pais for another hour or so, which will put you in Playa Carmen.
Flying To Santa Teresa
After taking the ferry one too many times I suggest simply taking a domestic flight from San Jose airport to Tambor.
This is the easiest and quickest way to get to Santa Teresa. The flights run daily and they are only 25 minutes.
There are two airlines that have daily flights to Santa Teresa – Sansa & Nature Air. Once you arrive it’s only a 4o – min drive to Florblanca.
Florblanca also offers it’s guest private cars to and from the Tambor.
Hotel Information
Hotel Details
Rate Includes: No meals
Conclusion of Florblanca Hotel Review
While I have not stayed at every hotel in Santa Teresa – Florblanca Resort is by far my favorite thus far because of the impeccable service, the frangipani trees growing between the restaurant and the beach, and the resort is dedicated to relaxation and rejuvenation.
Villas are almost buried in an artistically controlled tangle of mature garden and soaring palms, mere steps from the surf.
Only four villas have sea views through the trees, so request a villa with a sea view when you book.
Florblanca’s Surf House, slightly more rustic but a little cheaper, has its own secluded beach and the best ocean views.
The hotel also has four ocean-front Balinese bungalows that used to be the Milarepa Hotel next door.
DO YOU NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE WHEN TRAVELING THIS FALL?
YES! Travel Insurance is important no matter where you are traveling to because accidents happen and you should always travel with insurance.
I got extremely sick in the Czech Republic and that was the one time I decided to forego travel insurance and I racked up thousands of dollars in medical bills and they wanted their money before I would even be seen by the ER Doctors.
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ADDITIONAL ARTICLES
7 Day Costa Rica Travel Guide & Itinerary
I hope my review of Florblanca Resort in Costa Rica helped you decided where to stay when visiting Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.
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These pictures are amazing! You capture every detail which allows one to live vicariously through your travels. I can’t wait to visit Costa Rica one day. Keep up the great work…I’m enjoying your blog.
Thank you so much Kim for stopping by and when you visit Costa Rica make sure you check our Florblanca.
Hi! This post was super informative for someone like me who has never traveled but is looking to start! The pictures of the food and scenery are wonderful, and helpful to those who ultimately know nothing about the island itself! Love your posts! Thanks for the insight!!
Thanks brigette for stopping by. I love boutique hotels because they have more of an intimate feel and the hotels cater to your needs. You are not just another guest but boutique hotels want to have an experience.
Mitchiko thank you so much!! your words mean the world to me. My hope is that through my travels you will decide that experiencing new foods, new cultures, and new places is on your bucket list
Well written and you’re exactly right about Florblanca! I’ve had the opportunity to stay at Florblanca twice! Yes, I enjoyed it so much that i went back. It’s a wonderful resort and the staff are more than attentive to your every wishes. Weather you want to have a lazy day at the private beach or the pool; of you can bike or rent a ATV to go exploring. It’s a great hotel in a very good location!