Daily costs per person in US dollars. Santa Teresa is mid-range by Costa Rican standards — budget surfers can manage on $40–60 per day, while the health-food café scene adds up quickly.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: CRC (Colón) (USD widely accepted)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $10–18 | $30–60 | $80+ | Dorm → surf camp → boutique hotel |
| Food | $10–18 | $20–40 | $50+ | Sodas → cafés → beachfront dining |
| Transport | $3–8 | $15–30 | $40+ | Walk/cycle → motorbike → ATV |
| Activities | $10–20 | $35–65 | $80+ | Free surf → lessons → private coaching |
| Board Rental | $12–15 | $15–20 | $25+ | Foam → hard-top → custom shape |
| Daily Total | $45–80 | $115–215 | $275+ | Budget surfer → comfortable → luxury surf retreat |
Money-saving tips
Eat at sodas
Local sodas serve casado for $5–7 while beachfront restaurants charge $12–20 for similar food. Walk off the main beach road to find where locals eat — the food is better and half the price.
Weekly board rental
Daily board rental is $15–20 but weekly rates drop to $80–100. If you are staying 5+ days, negotiate a weekly rate at any surf shop. Buying a used board ($100–150) makes sense for stays over 2 weeks.
Free yoga at hostels
Many hostels include morning yoga sessions for free. Studio drop-ins cost $15–20, so free hostel yoga saves $100+ over a week. Check when you book your accommodation.
Cook your own food
The Mini Super and fresh market have reasonable prices. Hostels with kitchens let you self-cater for breakfast and lunch, saving $15–20 per day versus eating out every meal.
Walk or cycle
Santa Teresa is stretched along one road — everything is within walking or cycling distance. Bicycle rental costs $5–8 per day versus $25–35 for a motorbike. Save the motorbike for day trips.
Shoulder season discounts
May–November (green season) brings afternoon rain but also 30–50% lower prices on accommodation, tours, and even surf lessons. The waves are still pumping and the crowds thin dramatically.
