Santa Teresa, our favourite place in Costa Rica! Santa Teresa, near Mal Pais, as there are two Santa Teresa’s in Costa Rica. It is located in one of the five “Blue Zones” in the world, meaning people live significantly longer and healthier lives. The town has beautiful beaches, hip restaurants, great surf, boutique hotels and super chique hidden villas.
The NY Times has called it “The Next Tulum” in 2016. But let’s hope not too many people take the effort of making the trip, so that Santa Teresa will keep it’s hidden paradise status for the years to come.
Santa Teresa is a town where things are still basic and life is simple. Driving around on an ATV is an absolute must, as the only road that runs through town is bad. But it’s not only a necessity it’s also real fun. We rented two and both of us took two kids. Something which is normal practice in this town. We even saw mothers with babies in slings and 3 children sitting on the back spoiler with groceries hanging on here steer. How’s that for cool!
At 5 am howling monkeys wake you. As their howling starts when the jungle is coming alive. You can spend your days surfing, sipping coffee and watching the wild life.
I think it’s here where “Pura Vida” was invented. Several expats settled down in Santa Teresa while wandering around he world. We even discussed staying here. “No need to see anything else, let’s just stay here and enjoy the simple, beautiful pure life”.
Here are some awesome things to do in Santa Teresa with kids. And a few things to do without, maybe on a date-night. If you follow this list you will for sure see all the major highlights of this wonderful town. Use it as a check-list. It works really well.
- Take surfing lessons;
- Rent an ATV;
- Do as the locals do;
- Visit Rocamar on a sunday;
- Have dinner at the best Japanse restaurant in town Koji’s;
- And relax.
Sunrise at the Floating House
The Floating House
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
In Playa Hermosa, next to Santa Teresa
+(506) 2640 0550
The Floating House
Price range
$$$$
Location
In Playa Hermosa. Located in the jungle within walking distance of the beach.
Accommodation
The house sleeps 7. 2 bedrooms are located upstairs and 1 downstairs.
Dining
Self-catering or you can also request a private chef.
Services and amenities for kids
For an overview of the services and amenities for kids at this hotel click here. Amenities provided by the hotel in green.
Extra info
The Floating House was designed by an award winning Costa Rican architect and offers a really unique experience floating above the canopy of the jungle. From every room upstairs you have incredible views of the ocean and the wildlife of the jungle. Many things are sustainable about the house, the floors, water heating and filtrations systems.
The house is located in Playa Hermosa, a hidden gem located just 10 minutes from Santa Teresa. Everything can be arranged for you. You can ask them to deliver groceries before your arrival, while there they can arrange a massage therapist for you coming to your house, a baby sitter or a private chef. Be careful when leaving the house, you’ll have to close all doors and windows or you’ll have unwanted visitors looking for food, aka the capuchin monkeys that live in the trees around the house. They make a real mess ;).
Banana Beach Restaurant
Santa Teresa Beach, 60111, Costa Rica
The Bakery
Couleur Café
Address: Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa 2640, Costa Rica
Reservations:+(506) 2640 0677Website: –
Cuisine: Simple but delicious coffee and food, mostly brunch and lunch. Open for dinner twice a week.
Kidsmenu: -Experience: A simple and small restaurant in Playa Hermosa. With surf style interior. Great for coffee and lunch. They serve wonderful eggs Benedict and super sandwiches. Located just a few meters from the beach in Playa Hermosa.
Habaneros
Koji’s
Experience: Our favourite place in Santa Teresa/Playa Hermosa. We went here two times for dinner (they serve dinner only). One night we went after the Rocamar drinks on Sunday. The place was packed, we were so happy we made reservations. The food is delicious, actually delicious is not the right word, it was incredible! You can’t leave Santa Teresa without having dinner here!!
Rocamar
The best time to go is December-April. It will sometimes rain, but you will probably be blessed with your daily dose of clear skies, low humidity and beautiful sunshine. Like the rest of Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast, the hottest months are March and April.
However, if you plan to go in the months June – August, during the wet season there won’t be as many tourists and most hotels will offer better prices. The quietest months are September and October, which are typically also the rainiest months.