Best Things to Do in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica: Top Tours & Activities

The #1 reason people come to Santa Teresa – always.

Surfing here isn’t just an activity – it’s the pulse of Santa Teresa.

This stretch of coastline is known for its consistent beach breaks, warm water, and long sandy shores that shape some of the cleanest waves in Costa Rica. But not all beaches here play the same game – and that’s where it gets interesting.

For beginners, spots like Playa Hermosa (the one here, not Jacó) and Playa Carmen offer softer, slower waves that roll in gently, giving you time to stand, adjust, and actually enjoy the ride instead of getting launched headfirst into the sand. That’s why most surf schools head in that direction – especially for first-timers finding their balance.

But when the swell picks up, more experienced surfers gravitate toward the main Santa Teresa beaches, where the waves come in faster, more powerful, and more defined. These are the rides you wait for – the kind that line up clean and give you that long, carving run down the face.

Then there’s the rhythm of the seasons. In the dry season, the conditions are picture-perfect – glassy mornings, consistent swell, and yes… more people in the water. Come rainy season, everything shifts. The crowds thin out, the ocean feels wilder, and you can find yourself out there with space to move, picking your waves without the usual traffic.

Same coastline. Two completely different experiences.

That’s the magic of surfing here – you don’t just show up once. You come back in different seasons, different swells, different moods… and it’s never the same wave twice.

For those wanting to fully immerse themselves, Santa Teresa is also home to a wide range of surf camps and retreats. These programs combine daily lessons, guided surf sessions, video analysis, and accommodation – making it easy for beginners to progress quickly or for intermediate surfers to level up in a structured way. It’s one of the most popular ways for travelers to experience the surf culture here without having to figure it all out on their own.

The most booked day tour in the region.

This is the classic day trip – sun, salt, music, and a boat full of good energy heading out across the peninsula.

A tour to Tortuga Island is one of the most popular experiences in the area, and it shows. Boats head out daily, often lively and social, with groups ready for a full day on the water. You’re not heading to a deserted island – you’re stepping into a well-loved destination that draws visitors from all over.

The ride itself is part of the experience. Dolphins are often spotted along the way, and the coastline opens up into that wide Pacific blue before you arrive at the island’s bright sand and clear water.

Once there, the day is wide open. Most tours include a full setup – lunch, fresh fruit, and plenty of cold drinks – so you can settle in and enjoy it without thinking too much. If you want action, it’s there: snorkeling, diving, banana boat rides, short hikes, beach games. Or you can keep it simple – find a spot under the palms and let the day roll by in the sun.

Yes, it’s active. Yes, there are people. But that’s part of the vibe – easy, social, and full of life.

It’s not about escaping everything… it’s about stepping into a different kind of day, where the only real decision is whether to get back in the water or grab another cold drink.

One of the most popular ways to explore beyond the beach.

If you want to feel this place beyond the beach – dust, jungle, hills, and all – this is how you do it.

ATV (quad) tours are one of the most fun and immersive ways to explore the area around Santa Teresa and Mal País. These open-air machines take you off the main road and into the real landscape – through winding dirt roads, up into the hills, across valleys, past cattle fields, and deep into jungle terrain that most visitors never see.

Guided tours are led by locals who know every turn, every viewpoint, every hidden stretch worth stopping for. You’re not just riding—you’re discovering the layers of this place, feeling the shifts from coastline to countryside in a matter of minutes.

It’s important to know – our beaches are protected, so no vehicles are allowed on the sand. And honestly, that’s part of what keeps this place special. But just beyond the shoreline, the network of backroads opens up endless terrain to explore.

And if you’d rather go at your own pace, quads are also available to rent by the day or week. It’s one of the most practical – and fun – ways to get around here, especially if you want the freedom to move between beaches, restaurants, and hidden corners on your own schedule.

It’s a little dusty, a little wild… and a whole lot of fun.

Photo source: https://vroom8.com/

A global wellness destination drawing travelers year-round.

Santa Teresa isn’t just a place to unwind… it’s a place to move.

For a town this size, the fitness scene here runs deep. Whether you’re keeping your routine dialed in or looking to kickstart something new, you’ve got options – good ones.

It starts with yoga. Open-air studios are everywhere – some right on the beach with the sound of waves setting your pace, others tucked into the jungle or perched up in the hills with wide ocean views. From slow, grounding flows to strong, sweat-heavy sessions, there’s a class for every level, whether you’re stepping onto the mat for the first time or have years of practice behind you.

Pilates has also found its place here, with newer studios offering focused, strength-based classes that balance out the surf lifestyle perfectly. Core, control, precision – it’s all there, and it’s growing fast.

And for those who like to lift, push, and grind a little – Santa Teresa delivers. Local gyms offer everything from traditional weight training to functional fitness, HIIT classes, and group workouts that keep things social and motivating.

One spot worth calling out is the Lifeguard Gym, where your workout does more than build strength – it helps support the Santa Teresa lifeguard program, keeping the beaches safer for everyone. It’s the kind of place where community and fitness meet with real purpose.

Beyond that, there’s no shortage of private trainers in town. Whether it’s strength training, mobility work, rehab, or full-body conditioning, you can find someone to tailor a program exactly to where you’re at.  One can even find a private defense class offered at the beach.

Bottom line – this isn’t a place where your routine falls apart.

It’s where it evolves… with salt air in your lungs, sweat on your skin, and just enough inspiration to take it a little further than you planned.

One of the most talked-about nearby experiences.

When the heat settles in on the coast, there’s one move locals and visitors both know – head to the waterfalls.

Just a short drive from Santa Teresa, Montezuma offers one of the most refreshing day trips in the area, and it’s not just about the water – it’s about the shift in energy. While Santa Teresa faces the full force of the western sun, Montezuma sits tucked inland to the southeast, where the afternoons cool off earlier as the mountains block the light.

Timing it right makes all the difference. In the morning, the sun hits the falls directly, lighting up the water and jungle around it. By afternoon, the shade rolls in, the air cools, and the whole place feels like a natural escape from the coastal heat.

The main waterfall is where most people gather – a powerful cascade dropping into a large swimming pool below. You’ll often find local artists set up nearby, adding a creative, laid-back vibe to the scene. And if you’re lucky, you might catch some of the local kids and guides climbing up the wall and diving from different ledges into the pool below – equal parts skill and pure fun to watch.

For those with a bit more energy, the adventure continues. Trails lead up to the second and third waterfalls, following a path behind and above the main falls. It’s a beautiful hike, and part of the experience is getting there – crossing sections of shallow river that flow over wide, smooth rocks before heading into the forest trail.

It’s accessible, it’s family-friendly, and it’s one of those places where you can spend a couple of hours… or let it turn into a full day. And if you’ve got time after, wander into the town of Montezuma itself – small, colorful, and full of character.

Cool water, jungle shade, and a change of pace that hits just right.

Costa Rica’s first protected reserve and a must for nature lovers.

This is where the wild still feels untouched – thick jungle, raw coastline, and the kind of silence that makes you pay attention.

Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve was Costa Rica’s first protected area, and it carries that weight. You feel it the moment you step onto the trail – this isn’t curated nature, it’s the real thing.

One of the best parts about visiting here is that you have options, depending on your time and energy.

For those ready to commit, the beach trail is the full experience – a roughly 2-hour hike in, leading you through dense forest before opening up to a remote, wild beach. Then… you turn around and do it again on the way out. It’s a solid 4-hour round trip, humid, physical, and absolutely worth it if you’re up for it.

But not everyone needs to go that far to feel the magic. There are shorter loop trails closer to the entrance that wind through the jungle, giving you the chance to move at your own pace. These paths are perfect for spotting wildlife – howler monkeys in the canopy, coatis moving through the undergrowth, birds flashing color through the trees – while taking in the layers of flora that make this place so alive.

Different trails, different intensities – but all of them drop you into something deeper than just a walk in the woods.

Come prepared, bring water, take your time… and let the jungle set the rhythm.

One of the best places in the area for guaranteed wildlife sightings.

Curú Wildlife Refuge is one of those places where nature feels close, active, and easy to step into – no rush, no pressure, just a wide-open invitation to explore.

The trail network moves through tropical dry forest, leading you past towering trees, open clearings, and out to quiet beaches along the coastline. Wildlife is everywhere here – howler monkeys calling from above, white-faced capuchins moving through the branches, deer crossing the trails, and birds flashing color through the canopy. It’s the kind of place where you don’t have to search too hard… you just have to stay aware.

Beyond hiking, Curú offers a few experiences that take things further. Ocean kayak tours let you paddle along the shoreline, seeing the refuge from the water, while guided tours can help you spot the details you might otherwise miss.

For those wanting more than just a day visit, there are cabins available to stay overnight. As the sun drops and the day visitors leave, the entire energy shifts – quieter, deeper, more connected. And on certain nights, the water itself comes alive with bioluminescence, glowing with movement in a way that feels almost unreal, the Refuge offers Kayak Bioluminescence tours as well.

Simple to access, rich in life, and full of layers if you choose to stay a little longer.

curuwildliferefuge.com

Deeply rooted in local culture with year-round ocean experiences.

Before the surfboards, before the yoga mats, before the world found this stretch of coast… there were fishermen.

Mal País is, at its core, a fishing village. The original families here built their lives between the land and the sea – farmers inland, fishermen on the water. That rhythm still exists today, and when you head out on a fishing trip, you’re not just chasing fish… you’re stepping into a way of life that’s been passed down through generations.

Many of the local captains grew up on these waters. They know the currents, the seasons, the subtle shifts in the ocean that don’t show up on any app. And somewhere between dropping lines and scanning the horizon, the stories start to flow – about how it used to be, how the town has changed, and what the sea has taught them over the years.

Yes, the fishing itself delivers. Depending on the season, you can hook into mahi-mahi, tuna, roosterfish, snapper, even marlin offshore. And during migration periods, humpback whales move through these same waters – massive, slow, and humbling to witness up close.

There are modern boats now, fully equipped and comfortable, but the heart of it hasn’t changed.

Because out here, it’s not just about what you catch… it’s about who you’re with, the stories you hear, and the feeling that for a few hours, you’re part of something much older than tourism.

A classic Costa Rica adventure – fun, safe, and for all ages.

Lift off… and see the jungle from a whole new angle.

The zipline in Mal País has become one of the go-to adventures in the area – and for good reason. It’s not just about speed or adrenaline (though you’ll get your fair share of that). It’s about moving through the jungle in a way most people never experience – suspended between towering trees, with the ocean shimmering in the distance.

This is an activity that truly works for everyone. Families, kids, first-timers, even those a little unsure at the start – guides are there every step of the way, making sure you feel safe, comfortable, and ready to enjoy the ride. It’s designed to be fun, not intimidating.

Yes, you’ll have moments where you pick up speed and feel that rush – but it’s not a blur. You can control your pace, slow yourself down, and actually take in the views around you. The canopy opens in places, giving you glimpses of the coastline, while in other sections you’re gliding quietly through dense jungle, close enough to feel completely inside it.

And if you want the full breakdown – the course, the experience, what to expect – we’ve already gone deep on this in our full feature on the Mal País zipline.

It’s fun, it’s safe, it’s for all ages… and somewhere between platform and platform, you’ll catch a view that makes you forget all your worries.

Canopy Mal Pais Del Pacifico | Canopy Tour In Costa Rica | Zip Line in Costa Rica

A unique way to experience the land and local heritage.

Slow it down… feel the land the old way.

Horseback riding in Santa Teresa isn’t some staged tourist loop – it’s still deeply local. The guides grew up here, the trails are real, and every ride feels like a piece of the peninsula’s past still breathing.  Horses were a big part of everyday life for those few families that lived here in the late 80´s and early 90´s where roads were designed and used by horses, cattle, when the ox and cart ruled the area.

In town, you’ll find several locally run horseback tours that take you through a mix of jungle hillsides and wide-open beaches. Morning rides come with cooler air and wildlife sightings – monkeys moving through the trees, birds calling overhead. Sunset rides are a different story… golden light, long shadows, and that quiet, steady rhythm of hooves on sand that just hits right after a long day in the sun. Most of these tours run around 2–2.5 hours and are designed so anyone – from total beginner to experienced rider – can enjoy the experience comfortably. 

If you want something a little more raw and personal, there are also specialized experiences – like bareback riding and even swimming in the ocean with your horse. These aren’t your typical rides. They’re slower, more connected, and built on trust between rider and animal. Not for everyone – but for the right person, it’s one of those unforgettable, almost surreal moments you don’t get in many places. 

Then there’s the next level – the real deal ranch experience out in Manzanillo.

Just outside town, working cattle ranches like those around Hacienda Ario open up a completely different side of Santa Teresa. Here, you’re not just riding – you’re stepping into the sabanero (Costa Rican cowboy) lifestyle. These tours take you across massive properties that stretch from mountains to untouched beaches, passing through rivers, open pastures, and deep jungle along the way. Expect wildlife, ocean views from the hills, and long stretches of coastline where you might not see another soul. 

Some of these ranch rides run half-day or longer, and depending on the setup, can include stops along the way – whether that’s a local soda, a rest point on the ranch, or just time to sit, eat, and take in the land around you. It’s less of a “tour”… more of an immersion into how this place has always moved.

Different rides, different energies – but all of them connect you to something simple and real.

Because out here, on horseback, you’re not rushing anywhere… and that’s exactly the point.

One of the fastest-growing ocean experiences here – rooted in local pioneers who helped shape the sport.

Stand-up paddleboarding in Santa Teresa and Mal País isn’t just something that showed up with tourism – it was built here, from the water up.

At the center of it is Freedom Riding SUP, founded by Andy Seidensticker and his wife Edith Seidensticker. Andy brings decades of surfing and board shaping into every board you step on, while Edith has spent years winning national and international SUP competitions – many times riding boards shaped specifically for her by Andy. This isn’t just a business – it’s a piece of the sport’s evolution on this coast.

The experience often begins in the Mal País fishing village, where the ocean can be calm, protected, and ideal for learning. It’s a place that still carries the roots of the community – boats in the water, locals moving through their day – and from here, you step onto something simple: a board, a paddle, and the open ocean.

From first-timers to experienced riders, everyone can find their rhythm. Private sessions, group tours, wave riding, or long coastal paddles – it’s all available, depending on how deep you want to go.

And then there’s that moment…

You’re standing out there, balanced on the water, looking back at the coastline from a completely different angle. Jungle, beach, sky – it all shifts. There’s a quiet that settles in. A kind of awareness. You realize how small you are out there… and at the same time, how connected.

It’s not just a tour. For some, it’s the first time they truly feel the ocean without being inside it. There’s a vulnerability to it – you trust the board, the paddle, your balance. And in that trust, something opens.

Call it freedom. Call it perspective.

Either way… it stays with you.

A completely unique, free experience found only in this region.

This coastline hides one of its best secrets in plain sight – you just have to catch it at the right moment.

Santa Teresa and Mal País sit along a stretch of coast shaped by ancient volcanic activity. Behind the jungle hills are old volcanic lines, and out in the ocean, that same rock lives just beneath the sand. When the tide pulls back, it reveals something incredible – natural bowls carved into the volcanic rock, holding clear ocean water and everything living inside it.

These are the tidal pools.

And they’re pure magic – especially for kids, or anyone who doesn’t want to snorkel in deeper water. No waves, no currents, just calm, contained ocean life right in front of you. Grab a mask, slip into the water, and you’re instantly surrounded.

You’ll find different types depending on where you go. In Mal País, smaller pools form between the rocks, and if you look closely along the outer volcanic shelf, you can find deeper pockets where marine life hides out. Head north into Santa Teresa, and at low tide you’ll see scattered pools appear as you walk out over the rock formations.

But the real standouts are further north, toward Playa Hermosa – larger tidal pools, some stretching up to 50 meters long, with sandy bottoms and crystal-clear water. Sit still on the sand, and the experience shifts. Fish circle around you, not away from you – no chasing, no effort. Just observation. Closer to the rock edges, you’ll start spotting the smaller life – starfish, eels, tiny squid, all tucked into their natural homes.

It’s simple, it’s wild, and it’s completely free.

The key is timing. Watch the tide charts – low tide opens the window, and you’ve got about two hours to explore before the ocean starts reclaiming the space. And when you feel that first rush of cooler water moving in… that’s your signal. Time to head back.

No tours, no guides – just you, the ocean, and a piece of the coastline most people walk right past.

A rare and unforgettable aerial perspective of the coastline.

If you really want to understand this place… you’ve got to see it from above.

Flying out of the local airstrip in Cóbano, gyrocopter tours offer a completely different perspective of the southern Nicoya Peninsula. This isn’t a packed plane or a distant window seat – you’re up there with just one other person, the pilot, open to the air, fully in it.

There are a few flight options depending on how far you want to go. Shorter routes stay closer to the airport, looping over Cóbano, Montezuma, and Cabuya – rolling hills, rivers, patches of jungle, and quiet coastline unfolding beneath you.

Or you can stretch it out and head toward Santa Teresa, Mal País, and Playa Hermosa, where the landscape opens up into long beaches, surf lines, and that wild meeting point of jungle and ocean that defines this coast.

From up there, you see everything differently – cattle moving across open land, dense green jungle broken by palm tree canopies, dirt roads winding through it all, waves wrapping the shoreline in clean lines. It’s raw, expansive, and surprisingly peaceful once you settle into it.

But let’s be honest – this isn’t for everyone. You’ll feel it. The height, the wind, the exposure… your heart will be in it from takeoff.

For those who crave that edge, that sense of being fully alive for a moment – this is it.

The newest high-adrenaline experience in the area.

For those who don’t just want to feel alive… but really feel it – this is as high as it gets.

Operating out of the airstrip in Cóbano, skydiving has landed on the peninsula, offering tandem jumps that take you straight into the sky above Santa Teresa, Mal País, and the surrounding coastline.

Most jumps happen from around 10,000 to 12,000 feet, giving you a full build-up before the drop. You’re harnessed to a certified instructor the entire time, so no experience is needed – just the willingness to step out of a perfectly good airplane. From the moment the door opens, it’s game on.

Freefall hits fast – wind, speed, adrenaline – then suddenly everything slows as the parachute opens. And that’s when it really sinks in. Below you: coastline, jungle, rolling hills, the deep Pacific stretching out beyond it all. It’s quiet, surreal, and wide open in a way that’s hard to explain until you’re up there.

This isn’t a year-round guarantee. Like most aerial activities here, skydiving depends on weather conditions, so it’s more consistent during the dry season, with operations more limited or paused during heavy rains and shifting winds.

It’s not for everyone – and it’s not supposed to be.

But if you’re the kind of person who leans into the edge, who wants that moment where your heart is pounding and everything else disappears… this is it.

One of the most unique and magical experiences on the Nicoya Peninsula.

Some nights here, the ocean doesn’t just move – it glows.

Along the long sandy beaches of Santa Teresa, especially if you’re staying up in the hills, you might catch it from above. Waves rolling in under the dark sky, each break lighting up electric blue for a split second as they hit the shore. It’s subtle from a distance… but once you see it, you know something different is happening.

That glow comes from microscopic organisms called bioluminescent plankton – tiny life forms that emit light when disturbed. Every paddle stroke, every movement in the water, every wave breaking on the sand triggers a flash. It’s a natural defense mechanism… but for us, it feels like pure magic.

To really experience it, you have to get in close.

That’s where the tours come in.

One of the best ways to do it is by kayak, gliding across calm water under a dark sky. Each time your paddle dips into the ocean, it leaves a glowing trail behind. Fish dart below you like streaks of light. Even your hands in the water will shimmer and glow.

A perfect way to build the experience is out at Curú Wildlife Refuge – spend the day hiking and spotting wildlife, then as the sun drops, head out from the shoreline on a guided kayak tour. The transition from jungle to glowing ocean is something else entirely.

There are also boat-based tours operating closer to Paquera, where sheltered waters often create ideal conditions for stronger bioluminescence displays.

Because that’s the key – conditions.

This experience depends on a mix of factors:  Dark nights (little to no moonlight) – Calm water – The right concentration of plankton.  When it all lines up, the effect is unreal.

It’s not guaranteed every night – but that’s part of what makes it special. When you catch it right, it feels like you’ve stepped into something rare, something alive in a way most people never get to see.

No noise. No crowds. Just you, the water, and light moving through it like a quiet pulse.  It’s not just something you do… it’s something you will  remember.