3-Day Santa Teresa Itinerary: Complete Guide 2025

This Santa Teresa itinerary gives you a simple and clear plan for spending three full days in one of Costa Rica’s most laid-back beach towns.

You’ll get a mix of surfing, great food, quiet nature spots, and local tips. And no, you won’t overload your schedule. If you’re short on time but still want to get a feel for what makes this place special, this 3-day guide has everything you need.

Let’s not waste any moment, let’s get right into it.

Essentials to Prepare Your Santa Teresa Itinerary

Santa Teresa is remote, so a little planning saves you time. Pack light clothes, sturdy sandals, and a card that works in local ATMs. Carry cash for small sodas and board rentals. Book lodging early in high season and make sure your ride can handle rough, unpaved roads after rainstorms.

Want to know more? Here are some essentials you should know before going through the whole trip itinerary.

How to Get to Santa Teresa?

Most people land at San José’s Juan Santamaría airport. You can either spend a day in San José of Costa Rica, and then head to Santa Teresa, or go straight to the beach town.

From there, you have three common choices. A shared shuttle drives you in about six hours, ferry included. A rental car gives freedom, but the last stretch is loose gravel, so a 4×4 is smart.

The fastest route is a 25‑minute domestic flight to Tambor, followed by a 45‑minute taxi or shuttle. Buses run, but take almost a full day and feel cramped.

On our recommended Costa Rica trip itinerary, we recommend coming after visiting Monteverde. If that’s your plan, you can take the ferry from Puntarenas after driving down from Monteverde, then continue by road to Santa Teresa.

The full trip takes about 5 to 6 hours, depending on ferry timing and road conditions, so it’s best to leave early.

What is Santa Teresa Known For?

Santa Teresa is best known for its steady surf on the Pacific coast. You’ll spot surfboards strapped to almost every ATV in town. But it’s not just about the waves. The area is also popular for yoga, fresh healthy food, and long beach sunsets.

Along the main road, you’ll find taco stands, sushi spots, and bakeries owned by people from all over. At night, beach bars play music, while just outside town, sea turtles still come ashore during the quiet green season.

Are 3 Days in Santa Teresa Enough?

Three days in Santa Teresa is a good amount of time. The town is small, so you won’t waste time getting around. One day is enough to surf. Another day gives you time to ride an ATV to Montezuma and visit the waterfalls.

On your last day, you can relax with a yoga class or visit the tide pools. If you’re planning longer surf sessions or day tours, a fourth day helps, but most people feel like three is just right.

The Best Santa Teresa Itinerary

This three‑day plan mixes surf, nature, and slow beach time. You move north to south without backtracking, eat at spots near each activity, and keep daylight driving short. Feel free to swap meals or add extra sessions if the surf forecast shifts while you’re in town.

Day 1: Surf, Eat, and Sunset Chill

Start your first day in Santa Teresa with breakfast at The Bakery on the main road. They serve everything from eggs and sourdough to fresh croissants and strong coffee. It’s a good place to fuel up before your surf session.

From there, it’s just a short walk or quad ride to Playa Santa Teresa. You can rent a board or book a surf lesson. We recommend Del Soul Surf School or Blue Surf Sanctuary. If you’re new to surfing, head to Playa Carmen, it has a sandy bottom and smaller waves that make it easier to learn.

More experienced surfers usually paddle out near La Lora or Suck Rock, especially at mid to high tide. If that’s your case, then you know where to go!

After surfing for a couple of hours, rinse off and head across the road to Eat Street. They have tacos, poke bowls, burgers, and even vegan dishes. All quick and filling, and definitely tasty.

In the afternoon, find shade at Banana Beach. Yes, yet another beach, but you won’t get tired of that in Santa Teresa! Rent a lounger if you feel like it, and relax with a cold drink. Their beachfront bar makes smoothies, cocktails, and fresh coconut water. Around 5:30 pm, the beach fills up as everyone gathers for the sunset. Bring a towel, grab a drink, and just watch the sky change.

You can stay at Banana Beach for dinner, or walk up the road to Katana for sushi and Asian fusion in a garden setting. Some nights they have live music or a DJ, especially in high season.

If you’re still up for more, check out La Lora Amarilla, a local bar that’s been around forever and closes at 9 pm, which is convenient.

Day 2: Rent an ATV and Visit Montezuma Waterfalls

After breakfast (you can go light today, fruit, eggs, or a smoothie and hummus at Zula or The Bakery), pick up your ATV rental.

You can rent one for about $60 or $70 a day at Pacific Dirt Road. Make sure the brakes and lights work before you head out.

The ride to Montezuma takes about 1.5 hours with stops. Head south through Mal País, then follow signs to Cabuya and continue along the coast. You’ll pass jungle, small towns, and the edge of Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve. It’s a scenic drive but dusty. Do yourself a favor and bring sunglasses and something to cover your mouth.

In Montezuma, park near the waterfall trailhead. The lower waterfall is easy to reach in 10–15 minutes and has a pool you can swim in. A real treat after that long drive with an ATV.

If you’re up for a bit more hiking, climb up to the second and third waterfalls. It’s steeper and slippery in parts, so wear proper shoes. Certainly not flip-flops.

Note: if you don’t feel like driving an ATV, you can join a day trip, which includes ziplining.

After the hike, grab lunch in Montezuma town. Places like Cocolores or Soda Monte Sol serve fresh seafood and Costa Rican staples. If you’re on a budget, pack sandwiches or fruit and eat on the beach. It’s about living la pura vida, not being too fancy, after all.

On the way back, stop at Playa Hermosa. It’s wide, calm, and not as crowded. You can watch the sunset there if you’re running late, or head back to Santa Teresa for dinner at The Somos Café or Drift Bar (great poke bowls and environment).

Day 3: Yoga, Tidal Pools, and Beach-Hopping

Start your final morning in Santa Teresa with yoga. Even if you’ve never tried before, this part of Costa Rica is a brilliant place to try.

Horizon Yoga Hotel and Hotel Tropico Latino both offer open-air classes with ocean views. Walk-ins are welcome, and classes usually start between 8–9am. Mats are provided.

After yoga, grab breakfast at Olam Pure Food. You have smoothie bowls, avocado toast, or banana pancakes if you’re hungry.

Next, check the tide chart online (just Google “Santa Teresa tide chart”) and ride north to Playa Mar Azul for the tide pools. Go during low tide only, because the pools fill up and disappear fast. They’re shallow and clear, perfect for soaking or spotting little fish. Wear water shoes if you have them, as the rocks are sharp.

After the pools, grab lunch at Drift Bar (yes yet again another recommendation, but it’s just great food!), or pick up empanadas and cold drinks from a soda near the main road.

In the afternoon, take your time beach-hopping. If you’re still up for surfing, Playa Santa Teresa usually has good afternoon swell. If you’d rather take it slow, walk the beach or just sit and read under some shade.

Playa Hermosa is ideal if you want quiet, especially at low tide. You might even spot pelicans diving for fish.

Wrap up your last evening with a drink and sunset at Vista de Olas. It’s a hotel but open to non-guests during happy hour. The view from their infinity pool is hard to beat. After that, head back to town for something light, maybe ceviche at The Fishbar, or a final meal at Bambú Sushi if you missed it earlier in your trip.

Before bed, pack up and set your alarm early if you’re catching the morning ferry or shuttle!

Santa Teresa Travel Tips

Small details make the difference here. Roads kick up a lot of dust, power sometimes cuts out, and local ATMs can run dry on weekends. Again, a bit of planning makes things smoother.

Try to travel while it’s light outside, since some roads get tricky after dark. Keep your electronics in a dry bag, especially during the rainy season. Here are some questions and answers you’ll want to know, especially if this is your first time in Santa Teresa.

Best Time to Visit Santa Teresa

The dry season runs from late November through April. During these months, the sun stays out, roads stay firm, and sunsets light up the beach almost every night.

It’s also the best time to surf, though prices and crowds go up between Christmas and Easter. So keep that in mind if you’re on a budget.

From May to August, expect short afternoon showers that help cool things down and lower hotel rates. If you come in September or October, expect frequent rain and some restaurant closures. Many take time off then. It’s quiet, but very wet.

Is Santa Teresa Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially if you want warm waves, open beaches, and no pressure to dress up or plan too much. Santa Teresa doesn’t have big resorts or fancy chains, but you’ll find fresh food, solid coffee, and fast internet in most places. If you’re planning to stay longer as a digital nomad, this last point is very important.

If you want to learn to surf, it’s a great place to start as well. If the waves are flat, yoga studios and day trips to Montezuma or Cabo Blanco give you options. The town’s small size makes it easy to get around, and you won’t waste hours in traffic or on buses.

Is Santa Teresa Safe?

For the most part, yes. Violent crime is rare. The main thing to watch out for is petty theft, phones, bags, and cameras left on bikes or the beach. Lock your valuables in your room, keep your things in sight at the beach, and don’t drive fast after dark.

Dogs, potholes, and broken lights can all surprise you. Police patrol the main areas, and the local community is tight-knit. If you’re renting a car, carry a spare tire. Sadly, flat tires from nails or sharp rocks are common.

Where to Stay in Santa Teresa?

If you’re on a tight budget, Selina has dorm beds and coworking, and La Posada offers clean private rooms near Playa Carmen. For a mid-range stay, check out Fuego Lodge or Lua Villas. Both have pools and are close to the beach.

Want something more comfortable? Hotel Nantipa and Florblanca are beachfront and built for quiet, relaxing stays. In high season (December to April), book early as they’re most likely to sell out.

And if you plan to work online, ask about fiber internet. Some places still rely on weaker connections that drop out during storms.

Conclusion

Santa Teresa works best when you keep it simple. Three days in Santa Teresa is enough to surf, swim under a waterfall, and relax by the ocean without rushing.

Bring light clothes, plan around the weather, and follow the rhythm of the tides. You’ll leave with salt in your hair, sand in your bag, and at least one sunset that sticks with you long after you’ve gone home. You’re guaranteed to have a great time with this itinerary!