Santa Teresa sits near the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, in Puntarenas province, not Guanacaste. One coast road runs behind a string of beaches: Mal País at the south end, then Playa Carmen, Santa Teresa itself, and the quieter Playa Hermosa and Manzanillo to the north. Along that road you find surf schools, cafes, yoga studios, and small hotels, and in the evening most of the town turns toward the water for the sunset.
It takes some effort to get here, by small plane or by ferry and a drive across the peninsula, and that is part of why it still feels like a beach town rather than a resort strip.
Playa Carmen. A sandbar beach break on the line between Mal País and Santa Teresa, and the usual place to learn.
Santa Teresa. The long main beach, with peaks all along it. Most of them suit intermediate surfers; on bigger days, and at the rocky spots, they are for experienced surfers only.
Playa Hermosa. Mellower beach breaks a few minutes north, good for beginners and longboards. A right-hand point at the north end of the bay works at high tide and is for experienced surfers.
Mal País and Manzanillo. Rocky reefs at either end of the stretch, for experienced surfers, with rocks and currents to respect.
Conditions change with the swell and the tide. A lesson or a word with a local surf school is the safest way in. Our Santa Teresa villa page has a map with each beach and break marked.
Cabo Blanco. Past Mal País at the very tip of the peninsula, Cabo Blanco was the first protected area in Costa Rica, set aside in 1963. Opening days and entry rules change, so confirm on the official park site before you go.
Montezuma. On the gulf side of the peninsula, a short drive across from Santa Teresa, a small beach town with a different feel.
By air. The closest airport is Tambor, with domestic flights from San José that take about 25 minutes. From Tambor it is roughly 45 minutes to an hour by road to Santa Teresa. Confirm schedules and baggage limits on the airline's official site, since small planes are strict about weight.
By ferry. From San José airport, drive or take a private transfer to Puntarenas and board the ferry to Paquera, not the one to Playa Naranjo. The crossing takes a little over an hour. From Paquera it is about an hour and a quarter or more by road to Santa Teresa. Door to door from San José airport, plan on four and a half to six hours. Confirm departure times on the ferry company's official site.
On the ground. The coast road is partly unpaved and the roads across the peninsula are rough in places, so a sturdy 4x4 is the usual advice. We arrange airport and ferry transfers and a driver for the stay if you would rather not drive.
We list 2 private homes here, every one with its own pool.
No. Santa Teresa is on the southern Nicoya Peninsula in Puntarenas province. The northern part of the peninsula is Guanacaste, which is why the two get mixed up, but by road the Guanacaste beach towns are a long drive north.
A domestic flight from San José to Tambor, about 25 minutes in the air, then roughly 45 minutes to an hour by road to the beach. Schedules and fares change, so confirm on the airline’s official site.
The Puntarenas to Paquera ferry. The crossing takes a little over an hour, and Santa Teresa is about an hour and a quarter or more by road from the Paquera dock. The other ferry from Puntarenas goes to Playa Naranjo, which is the wrong side for Santa Teresa. Confirm departure times on the ferry company’s official site before you set the day.
Yes, at the right beach. Playa Carmen and Playa Hermosa are the usual places to learn. The main Santa Teresa beach suits intermediates on most days, and the reef and point breaks are for experienced surfers. A lesson with a local school is the safest start.
The roads on this part of the peninsula are rough in places and the coast road is partly unpaved, so a sturdy 4x4 is the usual advice. If you would rather not drive, we arrange the transfer and a driver.
Tell us your dates and your group. We match the house, then book the flight or ferry transfer, surf lessons, and a private chef around it.
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