A Santa Teresa Dirt Road Newspaper Editorial — 2025 Holiday Edition
When December drifts into Santa Teresa, the whole village softens. The sunsets shimmer a little rosier, the waves glow with gold, and even the howler monkeys seem to quiet down enough for you to hear the jingle of surfboard fins heading down to Playa Carmen.
It’s the season of giving — and in our little beach town, giving means supporting the artists and creators who shape our community’s soul.
This year, skip the imported trinkets and the last-minute airport gifts.
Choose something real. Something made here.
Below is your holiday map to the local creatives who light up Santa Teresa — painters, sculptors, jewelry makers, potters, and the storytellers of our coast.
Zwart Art Café
Location: North Santa Teresa
Vibe: Beach-boho, community-driven, iconic
What you’ll find: Paintings, mixed media, local exhibits, breakfast & good company
If Santa Teresa had an artistic heartbeat, Zwart would be one of the strongest pulses. It’s more than a café — it’s a gathering place, and a home to the vivid work of Margriet Zwart, who paints the warmth of Costa Rica into every canvas.
Zwart is a perfect stop for holiday shoppers looking for authentic Santa Teresa artwork that carries the essence of our coastline.
Galería Pura Vida
Location: Near the football plaza, Central Santa Teresa
Vibe: Woman-owned, thoughtfully curated, emerging-artist friendly
What you’ll find: Original paintings, prints, small sculptures, photography
Galería Pura Vida is the kind of space that feels alive — bright, and welcoming.
They champion local and emerging artists, some traveling through our area, some in other parts of Costa Rica. it´s a great place to stop if you are seeking meaningful holiday gifts with a story behind them.
Expect a mix of color-rich ocean art, jungle-inspired works, and contemporary pieces that mirror the wild beauty of the Nicoya Peninsula.
Drift Gallery & Bar
Location: South of Super Muralla
Vibe: Night-friendly, social
What you’ll find: Exhibitions, live music, mixed-media pieces, surf-culture art
Part bar, part restaurant, part gallery — Drift has carved out a niche as a cultural hub for locals and travelers.
Artists rotating through Drift include:
- Sandra Mott – paintings and bold color work
- Sharon Ramsay – mixed media
- Various sculptors & painters featured monthly
Drift is the perfect place to sip a cocktail, and sponsor local art all at once. For holiday gifts, look for prints, originals, and surf-inspired pieces.
Wood Sculptors of Santa Teresa: Pablo & Rami
Out beyond the cafés and crowds, two of Santa Teresa’s most beloved artisans carve magic out of wood.
Pablo and Rami are part of the village’s quiet creative tradition — craftsmen who turn fallen tropical hardwoods into intricate sculptures, waves, animals, and spiritual forms.
Neither runs a gallery (yet), but both create one-of-a-kind pieces and accept commissions.
We had the pleasure of talking to Pablo and Rami and asked them to share their philosophy..
Pablo – My work begins with the observation of natural movement and a deep respect for materials. I believe in an artisanal, conscious, and hands-on creative process, where form emerges from the dialogue between intuition and matter. I seek to express balance, fluidity, and connection with what is essential, embracing imperfection as part of beauty. Each work becomes an exploration of nature’s rhythm and our relationship with it. I create through the dialogue between intuition, matter, and movement, aiming to reveal the beauty found in simplicity and imperfection. You can contact Pablo at +50687445160, maderopablo92@gmail.com, or www.surforfun.com
Rami – In my work, I aim to highlight both the value and the beauty of trees and nature, giving new meaning to pieces of wood the sea has brought back to the shore. By giving them new life, my intention is to promote environmental awareness and strengthen our connection with the natural world. You can contact Rami at email: ramiroditarcio@gmail.com, Tel: +506 83304263- instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramiroditarcio?igsh=MXJxb3FrN2U0bG40bw==
Beach Jewelry Makers & Surfside Artisans
Santa Teresa’s beaches are alive with creativity, especially during the holidays. I especially love to check out the Artisans at Libreria y Souvenir.
- Hand-woven macramé art.
- Hand painted costa rica scenes on ceramic mugs, paper and feathers.
You can also find Beach-market makers offering handmade gifts near Santa Teresa’s busiest surf spots. Many of these artisans pop up near Playa Carmen, La Lora entrance, and the night markets.
Why Buy Local This Christmas?
When you buy from a Santa Teresa artist, you’re doing more than picking out a gift.
You’re helping someone pay rent, buy surf wax, feed their family, and keep creating the pieces that give our village its soul.
You’re choosing sustainability over mass-production, connection over convenience.
You’re giving a story — born from jungle light and warm tides.
And hey, nothing says Pura Vida Christmas like gifting something that carries the heartbeat of this place.
