17 Fun Things to Do in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Looking for the best Things to Do in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica? This laid-back beach town on the Nicoya Peninsula is famous for its world-class surfing, stunning sunsets, and jungle-meets-ocean vibes. There’s so much to do here no matter your budget or adventure level!

As a couple who has been living in Costa Rica since 2016, Santa Teresa is one of our favorite beach towns in the country. We visit this unique beach town frequently, and over the years, we’ve discovered the best activities—and a few things you might want to skip.

In this guide, we’ll cover 17 must-do activities in Santa Teresa, from chasing waterfalls to dining at beachfront bars and experiencing the area’s vibrant surf culture. Let’s dive in!

1. Go Surfing

Surfing is the most popular activity in Santa Teresa. 

If you are an experienced surfer you can easily rent a board from one of the many surf shops in town. 

If you would like to take surf lessons, that is a possibility as well. 

We suggest booking your lessons with Richard at Playa Hermosa. 

He will teach you surf etiquette and safety as well as give you a thorough lesson on how to get yourself standing on the board and riding the waves for the first time.

Check Availability and Arrange Your Surf Lessons with Richard 🏄🏽

• For beginner surfers head to Playa Santa Teresa. The sandy bottom and relatively mellow waves provide a good learning environment.
• Intermediate to advanced surfers should head to Playa Carmen just south of Santa Teresa. Here you can enjoy a mix of beach breaks and occasional reef breaks.
• Playa Hermosa is also a good spot for intermediate to advanced surfers. It’s known for its long, powerful waves.
• More advanced surfers should go to Mal Pais or Punta Barrigona.
• Mal País offers more challenging breaks, including reef breaks. Just be cautious because there is a rocky bottom in some areas.
• Punta Barrigona is known for its reef breaks and more challenging conditions.

2. Visit Cabo Blanco Reserve

Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve is a great place to enjoy a jungle hike with many opportunities to hopefully see wildlife such as monkey.

This park looks close to Santa Teresa on a map, but we don’t suggest attempting to drive here through the hilly road near Mal Pais. We have done this drive, but only during the dry season with a 4×4 and even then it was interesting. Instead, it is best to drive around and access Cabo Blanco Reserve from Montezuma.

The hike at this national park is mostly flat, but a bit strenuous due to the heat. However, you will be rewarded half way through your hike with this beautiful beach pictured above.

🌴 Check out our guide to Cabo Blanco Reserve for more info 🌴

3. Go Fishing

The fishing in Santa Teresa is on point. If you would like to go inshore fishing, we suggest booking your tour with Captain Jason.

With him, you can enjoy a half-day fishing experience. You might catch tuna, mahi-mahi, snapper, and more!

🎣 Check Availability and Book Your Fishing Trip 🐟

4. Enjoy Yoga on the Beach or in a Class

Santa Teresa has become a hub for yoga lovers, and what better place to practice than on the beach with the sound of the ocean as your backdrop? We like to go at sunrise or sunset for the ultimate centering experience.

Additionally, there are several yoga studios that offer classes that you can attend. My personal favorite is Believe Surf and Yoga. You can check the schedule and book your class here.

5. Rent an ATV for a Day

In the past, an ATV was our preferred way to get around from day to day in Santa Teresa because the roads were all unpaved.

However, in recent years more and more roads in the area have been paved.

It is still fun to rent an ATV though just for getting around daily or for exploring the still unpaved roads above Santa Teresa and in the neighboring villages.

Just be careful about which company you rent from. Read reviews ahead of time. I have heard some horror stories about people being drastically overcharged by rental companies for forgetting to refill their fuel. I have also heard of people not getting their deposits back even though they returned the ATV in perfect condition.

I like Zuma Tours for ATV rentals and tours. I have always had a good experience with them.

6. Relax at a Beach Bar

One of my must-do activities every time in Santa Teresa is to spend an afternoon relaxing at Banana Beach Restaurant and enjoying the beach bar life.

This fun beachfront restaurant and bar is the perfect place for a long leisurely lunch and drinks at a table or enjoyed on lounge chairs. There are plenty of shady spots or you can opt for direct sun.

They updated their menu a few years ago and I’m still bitter about the fact that they discontinued my favorite sashimi salad, but I’m coping. 😉

7. Try Some Traditional Food

Did you know that the Nicoya Peninsula (where Santa Teresa is located) is one of the few Blue Zones of the world. This means that people here regularly live to over the age of 100.

There are many contributing factors to this lengthy life span, but one of these factors is definitely considered to be their diet.

So, definitely check out a local restaurant if you can to try the traditional dishes. We like to order a casado (pictured above) for a hearty and nutritious meal.

A few of our favorite restaurants in Santa Teresa for traditional food are:

• Soda Tiquicia
• Soda Pura Vida
• Restaurante La Choza

8. Take a Day Trip to Isla Tortuga

Isla Tortuga is an uninhabited tropical island located just off the Nicoya coast that you can visit on a day trip.

To visit, you will need to book a boat tour. These tours typically include snorkeling, lunch, and several hours to do as you please on the island.

The one downside to this excursion is that almost everything on the island then costs extra. For example, you can rent kayaks, go on a banana boat, and relax on comfortable lounge chairs. However, all of these things need to be rented.

For more info, check out our guide to Isla Tortuga

9. Visit the Town of Montezuma

Montezuma is a cute beach town near Santa Teresa. This is a great day trip because there are several things to do here.

One of our favorite things is to walk along the Montezuma beach to the waterfall that flows into the ocean (find out more with our Montezuma beach walk guide)

After, we suggest exploring nearby beaches and enjoying a meal and craft beer from Butterfly Brewing Co.

Find out more about this area with our Montezuma Travel Guide

10. Hike the Montezuma Waterfall

The Montezuma Waterfalls are located in Montezuma (obviously). There are three falls in total and it is possible to jump off of or swim under some of them.

The falls can be accessed from a few different entry points, so we suggest checking out our complete guide to the Montezuma waterfalls for detailed info on how to visit.

11. Go Beach Hopping

One of our favorite things to do in Costa Rica is to just get in the car and drive along the coast to explore various beaches. All beaches in Costa Rica need to have public access by law, so all of the coast is yours for exploring

We suggest:

• Playa Hermosa: Located north of Santa Teresa, this long stretch of beach is often a very peaceful place to hang out.
• Playa Mal Pais: Head south of Santa Teresa to the cute village of Mal Pais. This beach is small and often pretty empty. It’s one of our favorite places to peacefully watch the sunset.

Otherwise, we suggest driving to Montezuma and driving south down to Cabo Blanco. Along the way there are plenty of nice beaches to explore.

12. Enjoy the Sunset

One of the best ways to end your day in Santa Teresa is by watching the sunset. The sun sets year-round between 5:15 PM and about 5:45 PM.

We suggest either walking down to the beach and enjoying the view before dinner, or having an early dinner at a beachfront restaurant for a meal with a sunset show.

A few of our favorite beachfront restaurants are:

• Restaurante Playa Carmen
• Shambala
• Manzú a Beachfront Restaurant
• Rocamar
• Banana Beach Restaurant

13. Go Bioluminescent Kayaking

Have you ever experienced bioluminescence? In Paquera (where the ferry lands) it is possible to see bioluminescence year-round (but is is best at a new moon).

The best company for a bioluminescent kayak tour is Bahia Rica Adventures.

Just note that this experience does not include transportation, so you will need to drive yourself to where the adventure starts.

Check Availability and Book Your Bioluminescent Tour

14. Get a Massage

Sometimes you just need a rejuvinating spa day while on vacation, especially if you have been participating in a lot of adventure activities such as surfing.

Our favorite place to go for spa relaxation is Om Spa. They offer a variety of massages, body scrubs, wraps, facials, hair removal, and manicures/ pedicures.

Find Out More and Book Your Treatement at Om Spa

15. Hike at Curu Reserve

Curu Wildlife Reserve is one of our favorite hidden gems. This park is located about an hour’s drive from Santa Teresa (it’s on the road you probably drove if you took the ferry).

The reserve is home to abundant wildlife, including monkeys, coatis, and a variety of birds.

We love it because it’s not overly popular, has a variety of trail options, and has some beautiful viewpoints like the picture above.

Find Out More in Our Guide to Curu Wildlife Reserve

16. Visit the Village of Cabuya

Cabuya is a small beach village located between Montezuma and Cabo Blanco Reserve. This beach village is home to some beautiful beaches, cute restaurants, and a unique island cemetery.

The cemetery is only accessible by foot during low tide. It is home to some very unique gravestones and is just a cool off the beaten path place to explore.

Find out more with our guide to Cabuya

17. Go Souvenir Shopping

If you are looking for some unique artisan souvenirs, Santa Teresa is a great place to find some unique goods. I suggest just walking along the main road and checking out the shops you come across.

If you are struggling with what to buy someone, some Costa Rican coffee is always a great gift.

You can get more ideas with our guide to souvenirs in Costa Rica.

In conclusion, you’ll find plenty of things to entertain you in Santa Teresa no matter what your budget or interests. I think this is an amazing destination for everyone from young to old. even if you are not big into surfing, you’ll still enjoy your time here.

If you have any questions about activities don’t hesitate to ask them in the comment section below. We are always happy to help you plan!

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