Santa Teresa 7-day itinerary

Arrive via the Paquera/Tambor ferry and shuttle or by direct shuttle from your previous destination. The final stretch of dirt road through the jungle signals that you are entering a different world. Check into your hostel or surf camp and get oriented — the entire town runs along one dusty main road parallel to the beach.

Rent a surfboard and hit the beach for your first session. Playa Santa Teresa has waves for all levels — beginners stay inside on the white water, intermediates catch the reform, and advanced surfers paddle out to the powerful outside break. The water is warm, the sand bottom is forgiving, and the vibe in the lineup is friendly.

Walk the beach at sunset and understand immediately why people fall in love with this place. The Pacific horizon ignites in colour while surfers become silhouettes and the waves turn golden. Find a beach bar, order a cold Imperial, and settle in.

Wake at first light for the best surf conditions — clean, offshore winds and glassy faces. The dawn patrol crowd is small and dedicated, and the waves are at their best before the onshore wind picks up around 10am.

After surfing, stretch out sore muscles with a drop-in yoga class. Santa Teresa has world-class yoga studios with ocean views, open-air shalas, and excellent instructors from around the world. Follow with a smoothie bowl and hammock time.

Santa Teresa has excellent tacos — both Costa Rican and Mexican-influenced. Several taco trucks and restaurants along the main road serve fresh fish tacos, shrimp burritos, and ceviche tostadas at great prices. Hit the taco trail and compare.

Rent an ATV or motorbike and ride the coast road south to Montezuma (30 minutes). The road passes through Mal País and Cabuya with ocean views and jungle-covered hills. Montezuma is a tiny bohemian village with a distinct character — more hippie than surf compared to Santa Teresa.

Hike to the Montezuma Waterfall — a 24m triple cascade that crashes into a deep emerald pool. Swim in the cool fresh water surrounded by tropical forest. If you are feeling bold, locals jump from the mid-level falls — but assess the depth carefully first. The upper pool is the most peaceful and the least visited.

Explore Montezuma village — art galleries, jewellery makers, and a couple of restaurants with a distinctly bohemian vibe. Eat fresh seafood on the waterfront, then ride back to Santa Teresa before dark. The jungle road is not safe to ride after sunset.

Explore the Mal País coastline at low tide. The volcanic rock platforms reveal tide pools full of marine life — sea stars, anemones, sea urchins, crabs, and small fish. The rugged landscape feels wilder and more untouched than the sandy beaches of Santa Teresa.

Return to Playa Santa Teresa or try Playa Hermosa — a slightly more powerful break north of the main beach. The afternoon swell is often bigger than the morning, and the approaching sunset creates beautiful backlit conditions for surfing and photography.

Several nights a week, fire dancers perform on the beach at various bars and restaurants. The spinning flames against the dark ocean backdrop create a hypnotic atmosphere. Find a spot in the sand, order a drink, and watch the show.

Drive to Reserva Natural Absoluta Cabo Blanco — Costa Rica's first protected area. Hike the 4.8km Sueco Trail through pristine primary forest alive with monkeys, birds, and butterflies to reach a wild, white sand beach at the peninsula's tip. The forest is dense and ancient — some trees are over 100 years old.

Spend time at the Cabo Blanco beach — possibly the most pristine beach on the Nicoya Peninsula. The white sand meets turquoise water with no development in sight. Swim, snorkel around the rock formations, and enjoy complete solitude. The hike back through the forest often reveals wildlife that was hiding on the way in.

Return to Santa Teresa for a quiet evening. After the physical hike, a gentle stretch or yin yoga class feels perfect. Eat at a local soda for budget-friendly food — rice, beans, fresh fish, and plantain. The simple meals are satisfying after a day in the forest.

Your final sunrise surf — paddle out at dawn and catch the cleanest waves of the day. By now you will have developed a feel for the break, know the best takeoff spots, and possibly mastered your first turns or barrels. Savour every wave.

Join a horseback ride along the beach and through the forest trails. The horses walk through the shallow surf while you take in the coastline from a different perspective. The forest sections wind through farms and tropical jungle with views of the mountains inland.

Make the most of your last full evening in Santa Teresa. Start with sunset cocktails on the beach, then move to your favourite dinner spot, and end at whichever bar has the best vibe tonight. The mix of surfers, yogis, digital nomads, and backpackers creates a unique social scene.

Wake up early for one final session. The ocean has a way of making farewells bittersweet — every wave could be your last. Paddle out, catch a few good ones, and paddle in with salt water drying on your skin and sand between your toes for the last time this trip.

Pack your bags and enjoy a final brunch at one of Santa Teresa's excellent cafés. Açaí bowl, fresh juice, and one more smoothie for the road. Pick up any last souvenirs — surf wax candles, local jewellery, or a Santa Teresa sticker for your water bottle.

Depart Santa Teresa by shuttle to your next destination. Connections run to San José (5–6 hours via ferry), La Fortuna (6 hours), Monteverde (5 hours), and Manuel Antonio (6 hours). The journey out always feels longer than the journey in — a sure sign you left part of yourself on the beach.