Santa Teresa Map

Santa Teresa stretches along a long surf beach at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula: one dusty main road lined with cafés, surf shops and yoga studios, and some of the best sunsets in Costa Rica.

Santa Teresa hotels book up early from December to April.

Hotels in Santa Teresa ↗
  • Surf spots
  • Beaches
  • National parks & reserves
  • Towns
  • Airports & ferries

Tap a marker for details, tours and places to stay.

From San José
~4.5 h
Puntarenas ferry
~70 min
Flight to Tambor
~30 min
Recommended
4x4

Beaches

From south to north: Mal País is rocky, with tide pools and fishing boats; Playa Carmen, at the main junction, is the easiest place to learn to surf; Playa Santa Teresa has consistent waves along its whole length; and Playa Hermosa to the north is wide and quiet. Sunset is the daily event, when everyone gathers on the beach.

Santa Teresa has surf schools for every level, plus yoga and surf retreats.

Book a surf lesson ↗

Getting to Santa Teresa

  • From San José by car: drive to Puntarenas (about 1 h 30 min), take the car ferry to Paquera (about 70 minutes), then about 1 h 15 min by road. Book the ferry in high season.
  • From Liberia (LIR): about 3.5 to 4 hours by road down the peninsula.
  • By plane: domestic flights from San José to Tambor take about 30 minutes, then about 45 minutes by taxi.
  • By shuttle: door-to-door shuttles run from San José, La Fortuna and the airports.

Around Santa Teresa

Hike to the wild beach in the Cabo Blanco Reserve, visit the waterfall in Montezuma, or take a boat to Tortuga Island for snorkelling. For the rest of the peninsula, including Nosara and Sámara, see the Nicoya Peninsula map.

The main road is unpaved in places, dusty in the dry season and muddy in the green season; a 4x4 or ATV is the usual way to get around.

From surf hostels to boutique hotels with ocean views.

Hotels in Santa Teresa ↗

Plan your trip to Santa Teresa

Where to stay

Compare hotels, guesthouses and cabins in Santa Teresa.

Find places to stay ↗

Tours & tickets

Guided tours, day trips and activities with free cancellation on most bookings.

See tours ↗

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica?

From San José, drive to Puntarenas, take the ferry to Paquera and continue by road (about 4.5 hours in total), or fly to Tambor in about 30 minutes. From Liberia it is about 3.5 to 4 hours by road.

Is Santa Teresa good for beginner surfers?

Yes. Playa Carmen and parts of Playa Santa Teresa have gentler waves, and there are many surf schools.

Last reviewed October 2026. Opening hours, prices and road conditions change: check official sources before you travel.