Santa Teresa
- Summary: Sister town of Mal Pais, renowned for legendary surf and a variety of adventure sports.
- Landscape: Beaches, Rainforest
- Attractions: Cabo Blanco Reserve, Curu Wildlife Refuge, Surf, Wildlife
- Activities: Adventure Tours, Bird & Wildlife Watching, Snorkeling, Surfing
- Caters to: Budget Travelers, Families, Independent Travelers, Surfers
- Quick Facts: 8 miles southwest of Montezuma ; Sea level ; Warm and sunny with temperate evenings ; 77-86 F
Santa Teresa Snapshot
Epic surf and a bohemian beach scene are Santa Teresa's trademarks. Situated on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, the former fishing hamlet has grown into a bustling international community that boasts a slew of adventure activities, steady waves and sublime sunsets.
read more closeLegendary waves are the area's main attraction; both seasoned and novice surfers come to enjoy the consistent left and right breaks that Santa Teresa delivers. A variety of surf schools offer private and group lessons, all taught by skilled surfers. Camps run for as few or as many days as desired.
Serious and amateur anglers alike come to fish the warm waters for mahi mahi, snook and tuna. Reliable winds attract kite surfers, while sunbathers flock to the pristine beaches of Mal Pais, El Carmen, Santa Teresa, and Hermosa. Visitors can ride horseback along backcountry roads, explore Playa Santa Teresa’s rocky tide pools, or fly through the jungle on a canopy tour.
Mal Pais has become an all-encompassing term for both Santa Teresa and its adjacent village, Mal Pais. The two are so closely linked that they are rapidly becoming one, although Santa Teresa remains the more developed of the pair. Both beach towns parallel the shore, stretched along a single rocky road. Santa Teresa has amenities like car rentals, banks, cafes with wireless Internet, and a variety of accommodations for all budgets. Several hotels offer yoga, pilates and health retreats.
Due to its location, half of the adventure is getting to Santa Teresa. If traveling from San Jose, take the route from Puntarenas to Paquera, which includes a scenic ferry trip across the Gulf of Nicoya. Note that 4WD is recommended during the rainy season months of May through November, if arriving overland from Guanacaste beach towns, as several river crossings are necessary.
Santa Teresa in Pictures
Santa Teresa Travel Guide
Santa Teresa Weather
Current Conditions
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Santa Teresa Tides
| Sunday, December 22, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 1:35 a.m. | 1.67 ft. (0.51 m.) | |
| High | 7:20 a.m. | 7.55 ft. (2.3 m.) | |