Top 50 Things To Do In Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Playa Carmen is the most popular beach in the area, right in the middle of town. It’s known for its great surfing and fun vibe. In the old days, this beach was sometimes called “Malpais” but in fact, Playa Malpais is a few miles to the south and doesn’t have a surf spot. Located in the center of the Santa Teresa – Mal Pais area, Playa Carmen is the most crowded, and so are its waves. The street behind the beach is full of restaurants, bars, hotels, rental villas, and many houses. There are a few roads that head up into the hills, dotted with boutique hotels and rental villas from which you can walk or drive down to this beach.

The actual Playa Santa Teresa is situated around 3 km north of Playa Carmen, past the soccer field. » Map of Playa Santa Teresa
In recent years this area has become more and more popular and many new hotels and restaurants have popped up. The beach here is a broad and long expanse of white sand edged by jungle. The surf on Playa Santa Teresa is more challenging and presents both point and beach breaks.

Santa Teresa North, Costa Rica is a remote beach town that seems to have a little something extra. When you’re here, you feel an infectious energy that can’t be explained. Heralded as the “The Next Tulum,” the year-round sunshine and consistently 80-degree heat will make you want to unpack and stay (a lot) longer than you had planned. The long white sand beaches, endlessly perfect surf waves, live music and parties, paired with mind-bending culinary experiences and beautiful people define this surf haven.

Ocean winds whipping through your hair. Saltwater on your skin. The scents. The adrenaline. What is there not to love about surfing? Whether you are a beginner or an experienced surfer, you can't beat Playa Hermosa in North Puntarenas. Not to be confused with Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste, the one in Puntarenas is situated five kilometers south of Jacó and brings in surfers of all experience levels from all over the world.

Experienced surfers head to Suck Rock for a challenge when they are in Santa Teresa. The waves breaking off of this reef break can be as high as 20 feet. If you catch a wave just right, you have the opportunity to ride for over 100 yards. Unlike some of the other beaches in the Costa Rica Nicoya Peninsula, you want to head to Suck Rock during high tide to experience the massive swells.

Santa Teresa and surrounding beaches are perfect for all levels of surfing ability. In front of Casa Cecilia there is a right reef point break for advanced surfers and several beach break peaks for beginners and intermediates.

It is not uncommon for Casa Cecilia staff to invite guests to tag along on our own surf adventures or to give personalized lessons. Let us know when you make your reservation and we will tailor a surf package to meet your needs. Some of our partners are:

Mal Pais is a small beach town located on the southern tip of Nicoya Peninsula in Puntarenas Province of Costa Rica on the Pacific coast. It is a tourist friendly place with a warm ambiance. Featuring consistent waves all year round, Mal Pais lures thousands of surfers from all over the globe. Because of its incredible surf breaks and other sport opportunities, the town has gained tremendous amount of popularity. Moreover, international and local surfing competitions are held every year in Mal Pais for advanced surfers. On your surf vacation to Costa Rica, get ready to brave the raging waves of Mal Pais!

The beautiful blue waters and great vistas, but the one in the Puntarenas province is the one with the best waves. Surfers flock to this haven to enjoy the consistent swells and clean, pristine sands. It is thanks to this cleanliness that the beach was awarded a Blue Flag award.

On the other side of the Nicoya peninsula, when you first drop down from the jungle-covered plateau above, you will find the great surf beach called “Playa Carmen”. The best surf spot in the area sits right in front of the commercial center of the Santa Teresa and Malpais villages, with two banks, a french/belgian bakery, sushi, and half a dozen surf shops. On the beach is the Coco Logo nightclub and a beachfront Pizzeria.

The reserve is named after the island Cabo Blanco, located 1.6 km from the reserve's southern tip. Since the times of the Conquistadores it has been known as the "White Cape" because encrusted guano covers the rocks. Cabo Blanco is an important seabird sanctuary and popular with ornithologists. It hosts large numbers of brown pelicans, frigate birds, laughing gulls, common terns, ospreys and Costa Rica's largest community of brown boobies.

Montezuma Falls is perhaps the most famous waterfall in Costa Rica. It isn’t a single waterfall, but three separate falls. To reach the first falls, start at the main beach road near Hotel Amor de Mar, and walk up the river for approximately 20 minutes. Here you will reach the tallest waterfall, with a huge swimming hole. Usually there are lots of tourists here. You may see people climbing up the cliff and jumping off.

Curú National Wildlife Refuge and farm are located on the southem Nicoya Peninsula of northwestern Costa Rica. The area is teaming with abundant wildlife and hosts one of the most beautiful beaches and protected bays on the Nicoya Peninsula. The area offers easy access to seeing some of the most sought-after species such as White-faced Monkeys, Spider Monkeys, Scarlet Macaws, White-tailed Deer, Collared Peccary, Coati, Raccoons, Coyotes, Iguanas, and hundreds of species of tropical and migratory birds.

Yoga has been central to the culture and the daily routine of Florblanca since our opening, evidenced by our seaside open-air yoga dojo, a centerpiece of the property. Santa Teresa, and Florblanca specifically, exemplifies an active lifestyle, and our exceptional yoga classes will open the door to new experiences by stretching your mind, body and soul.

There is something very special about sunsets in Tamarindo. The long stretch of beach, surfer silhouettes in the ocean, clusters of friends and families, the mountainous backdrop to the north and sporadic palm trees are just a few of the things that make the beach such an ideal sunset spot.

The Malpais canopy tour is closer for tourists staying in Santa Teresa, and it’s longer and faster. To find it, just drive south on the main beach road until you’ve almost reached the fishermen’s beach at the end of the road, and you’ll see signs for it on your left.

The horses at Ollie's Adventures live the very best lives in paradise.
Adrian, the owner of Ollie's adventures has always had an absolute passion and love for working with horses. It is of utmost importance to him that his horses are always happy and healthy.

ATVs are the easiest way to get around in many areas in Costa Rica as many of the roads can be impassable in car. We ensure "Honda Reliability" with our Honda 420 TRX ATV's. They are regularly service to ensure safety to our customers. We update the quads every year, so you are getting the best quads available in town.

Awesome hike, active volcano with boiling mud. Fantastic hot springs, waterfall and mud bath. Bring a hat and sunscreen though!!

Kayaking, much like surfing and jet skiing is an activity that is largely influenced by the prevailing behavior of the sea, specifically the waves and tides. One of the most important things to accomplish prior to braving the open seas is charting the waves based on the local weather. The beaches have this information on hand, not to mention you can always check travel websites to see which times of the day are best for kayaking.

Water temperatures are also charted on a monthly basis so tourists can factor this in when planning their great Costa Rica getaway.

As for the snorkeling, it’s probably the most popular spot in Montezuma, and one of the best in the peninsula, along with Cabuya Island and Playa Los Suecos in Malpais. You can sometimes also see an octopus, eel, or a sea turtle. Thanks to efforts in the past few years by sea turtle conservation groups, we should be seeing more turtles in the coming years.

I have to say that Playa Los Suecos is the best snorkeling spot that I’ve found in the area. Las Manchas in Montezuma can also be amazing, but it’s more consistent here, and I’ve seen more large animals such as a huge stingray and sea turtles. One of the reasons it’s probably so good here is that it’s right next to Cabo Blanco‘s protected marine reserve.

The south side of Cabuya Island has a great surf spot… an open secret called “The Secret Reef”. Because of the long hot hike to get out there, few tourists ever head to this spot because there are so many easier surfing opportunities in Santa Teresa. But locals go there from time to time, since during the right swell conditions, it can form a large heavy wave that thrills adrenaline junkies.

Amazing Playa Las Rocas is a short drive from Montezuma to the south, or perhaps 20-30 minutes by foot. It’s between the beaches of Playa los Cedros and Playa las Manchas.

This beach has a lot to it… there are two sandy beaches, with few waves because the rocks prevent the surf from getting too big, so it’s ideal for kids.

It’s a great place for them to learn to swim, or learn to snorkel. They can also experience the sea-life close up. We have seen TWO types of nudibranch here… very rare and amazing species unlike any others in the ocean.

Keep in mind that there’s no shade here… the tropical sun reflecting off the water will fry your tender white gringo skin in double-time, so wear a hat and slather on a thick layer of sunblock.

Koji’s Restaurant is a sushi shack located on the beautiful beach, Playa Hermosa, in the tropical town of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. It is well known for serving mouth watering Japanese food particularity sushi. Offering reasonable prices, excellent quality food and lovely ambiance, Koji’s Restaurant has made a name for itself in a short time. You can expect a wide range of rich and flavorful cuisines and an idyllic platform for family dinners, romantic candlelight dinners and special occasions. Moreover, they have a great customer service. The wait staff is highly efficient ensuring guests’ comfort and order accuracy.

Mary’s Restaurant started in 1996 in Mal Pais. Just down from the fishermen the idea was always to have the freshest local food possible. Nearly 20 years later Mary’s now has our own organic farm, and continues the self sustaining tradition that built Mal Pais in the first place.

Burger Rancho is a small fast food restaurant located on the main road in Santa Teresa, on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. It is a typical burger joint which serves some amazing tuna burgers according to the reviews on TripAdvisor. Even though the atmosphere is crowded and a little bit dusty, the diner is a popular place among both tourists and locals alike due to its affordable prices, versatility and of course, delicious menu. The restaurant is found in the central part of the town directly across the soccer field. It has an open air rancho style covered with brilliantly colored curtains.

Hold a slice of Pizzeria Playa Carmen's brick oven pizza at just the right angle and it almost appears to be riding along one of Playa Carmen's famous surf waves right in front of you. Plopped just a few paces from the shoreline, serving more than 20 variations of pizza, 60 local seafood and meat plates, eight salads, 15 snacks and sandwiches and 20 cocktails, Pizzeria Playa Carmen adds up to one of Santa Teresa's supreme spots.

Perched atop a hill, Brisas del Mar, offers some spectacular views of the Costa Rican paradise. You can see beautiful sunset while you dig into your sumptuous meal. The restaurant has a mix of local and international cuisines for tourists coming from different parts of the world. Many people who live in the Santa Teresa area consider Brisas del Mar to be among the top three best restaurants here. They often get a menu makeover but some of the best dishes are never replaced. The restaurant has a cordial and romantic air about it encircled by picturesque views of the ocean and tropical skies. Brisas del Mar is very popular among locals and tourists alike so making reservations in advance is strongly suggested.

Our Restaurant Nectar at Hotel Florblanca is laid back and elegant; an indoor/outdoor hangout for guests and locals wanting to dine, celebrate, or enjoy after a day at the beach.

The kitchen serves up fusion cuisine with Latin, Mediterranean and Asian influences. The menu is built around seasonal ingredients with an emphasis on organic local produce, fresh seafood from the surrounding waters, and traditional favorites. From sushi to fish tacos, from salads to chocolate soufflé, our menu is varied and creative.