Written by David Garcia, Maria Gaulto, Alejandro Vargas
03/08/2025
Christopher Crouzet, Wikimedia Commons
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, is a lively beach town on the Nicoya Peninsula, renowned for its exceptional surfing conditions suitable for all levels. It offers a laid-back, bohemian environment perfect for those seeking an active, nature-focused, or wellness-oriented experience.
The main road of Santa Teresa features a variety of restaurants and bars that serve as social hubs, with live music and happy hour specials available most nights. Popular spots like Kooks, Eat Street, Roca Mar, and La Lora Amarilla provide opportunities to mingle with other tourists and locals. Beachfront locations, especially Banana Beach, often host chill gatherings, bonfires, and casual parties.
Top 6 Things to do in Santa Teresa
The area offers diverse activities, from exhilarating water sports and adventurous jungle explorations to serene wellness practices and captivating wildlife encounters.
1. Surfing Lessons
Experience the world-renowned waves of Santa Teresa, suitable for all skill levels. Professional instructors guide participants from basic techniques to catching their first waves, ensuring an enjoyable and rewarding experience in the warm Pacific waters. Lessons typically begin with stretching and essential surf etiquette on the beach before heading into the ocean.
Cost: Group lessons generally cost around $70-$98 USD per person for a 90-minute session, which typically includes the surfboard and rash guard. Private lessons are also available at a slightly higher cost.
Transport: Many surf schools are located directly on the main beaches like Playa Hermosa. Depending on accommodation location, a short walk or a quick taxi ride may be needed to reach the lesson spot. The long main road of Santa Teresa means an ATV or taxi can be useful.
2. Yoga Classes
Find balance and relaxation through yoga in Santa Teresa's serene environment. Many studios offer a variety of styles, including Hatha and Vinyasa flow, in open-air settings, often with inspiring ocean views or nestled within lush tropical gardens. Classes are welcoming to all levels, from beginners to experienced practitioners.
Cost: Drop-in classes typically range from $13-$14 USD. Some studios offer packages for multiple classes at a reduced rate. Retreats, which often include accommodation and meals, vary significantly in price.
Transport: Yoga studios are spread throughout Santa Teresa, with some being beachfront and others located just off the main road. Most are accessible by walking or a short drive, depending on your lodging.
3. ATV Exploration
Discover hidden gems and explore the diverse landscapes of Santa Teresa and its surroundings by renting an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV). This allows for easy navigation of rugged trails and unpaved roads, leading to secluded beaches, panoramic viewpoints, and neighboring towns like Mal Pais and Montezuma. It offers an adventurous way to cover more ground.
Cost: A 24-hour rental for a standard ATV typically costs between $70-$90 USD, with discounts available for weekly rentals. A security deposit is usually required. Guided ATV tours, often including destinations like Montezuma Waterfalls, are also available.
Transport: ATV rental companies are readily available throughout Santa Teresa, often offering convenient pick-up and drop-off services directly to your accommodation.
4. Montezuma Waterfalls & Zip Lining
Embark on an adventurous trip to the multi-tiered Montezuma Waterfalls, where you can hike through the surrounding nature and swim in refreshingly cool pools. Combine this with an exhilarating zip-lining (canopy) tour that allows you to glide above the forest floor, offering unique perspectives of the jungle and occasionally spotting wildlife.
Cost: Access to Montezuma Waterfalls is free. A guided ATV tour to the waterfalls can cost around $190-$195 USD for one ATV (for 1-2 people), including a guide, gasoline, water, and snacks. Zip-lining tours from Santa Teresa, including transportation, are approximately $75 USD per person.
Transport: Montezuma is a short drive from Santa Teresa. Many ATV tours include transportation. For zip-lining, tours often provide pick-up services from Santa Teresa hotels.
5. Horseback Riding on the Beach
Experience the magic of Santa Teresa with a serene horseback ride along its expansive beaches. Tours often lead to quieter stretches of sand or through lush jungle trails, providing an intimate connection with nature. Sunset rides are particularly popular, offering breathtaking views as the day ends.
Cost: A 1.5 to 3-hour horseback riding tour typically ranges from $65-$90 USD per person. Private tour options are available for an additional fee.
Transport: Tour operators often arrange pick-up from local accommodations or designate a meeting point, such as a stable near Santa Teresa or Manzanillo Beach, which is a short drive north.
6. Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve
Explore Costa Rica's first protected area, the Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve, through its well-maintained hiking trails. This pristine jungle environment is rich in biodiversity, offering opportunities to observe various bird species, monkeys, and other wildlife. The trails lead to a secluded white sand beach, perfect for quiet relaxation after the hike.
Cost: The entrance fee for the reserve is $12 USD per person. Guided tours, which often include transportation and a naturalist guide, can range from approximately $75-$140 USD per person depending on whether it's a group or private tour.
Transport: The reserve is located at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, near Montezuma, approximately a 40-minute drive from Santa Teresa. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended due to unpaved roads. Many tours offer private transportation from Santa Teresa.
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Our typical audience are those that want to see something new and get involved with authentic experiences of a country. Whether you are a backpacker, solo traveller, solo female traveller, straight or LGBTQ+ couple, family, you will find local and authentic experiences here.
