Santa Teresa

By Caroline Bennett

Once an off the map fishing village, the long white beaches and quiet shady nooks of Santa Teresa in the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula have recently become a trendy traveler hotspot for surfers and sunbathers looking to catch a world class wave or taste the laidback air of the tropics. Here lush forest meets some of Costa Rica´s most pristine beaches, offering nooks of shady refuge from the hot afternoon sun. Grab a board or a book and stay into the evening- Santa Teresa is famous for spectacular sunsets, the magic hour when soft sounds of reggae can be heard piping from nearby cabinas and all gather on the sand for an always colorful show.

From waves for the beginning surfer and expert alike, to kite surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and sport fishing, this stretch of beach is paradise for the water sports enthusiast. Land lubbers will find no lack of things to do either- hiking trails, horseback riding, mountain biking, bird watching, canopy tours, and the excellent Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve are just minutes away. Near perfect weather and a relaxed tropical vibe, however, make just lounging on the beach or sunbathing perhaps the most popular pastimes in these parts.

While camping and a well-stocked cooler used to be your best option, new restaurants, shops and cabinas have been sprouting up along the 5km of dirt road that join Santa Teresa with sister beach Mal País to the south. A range of accommodation can be found here, in Mal País, and in the tiny town of Playa Carmen where the road forks separating the two. Regardless of where you choose to stay, the lines between the beaches are blurry and you can easily go from one to the next.