Our Guidebook to Santa Teresa
Food scene
Best Asian spot in town! This place will not disappoint.
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Katana Asian Cuisine
Best Asian spot in town! This place will not disappoint.
If you want some extra spoiling, book dinner at Koji’s. They cook with the freshest ingredients and the ambiance is beautiful.
63 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Koji's
Calle Buenos AiresIf you want some extra spoiling, book dinner at Koji’s. They cook with the freshest ingredients and the ambiance is beautiful.
My favorite brunch and coffee spot! An amazing vibe, friendly staff, and tasty food.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
El Patio Cafe
My favorite brunch and coffee spot! An amazing vibe, friendly staff, and tasty food.
This place probably makes it to everyone’s guidebook and for good reason. You won’t be disappointed - neither at breakfast, lunch nor dinner - with The Bakery. An infusion of Israeli and Costa Rican goodness, with the addition of heavenly baked goods, this is one spot you don’t want to miss.
85 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Bakery
This place probably makes it to everyone’s guidebook and for good reason. You won’t be disappointed - neither at breakfast, lunch nor dinner - with The Bakery. An infusion of Israeli and Costa Rican goodness, with the addition of heavenly baked goods, this is one spot you don’t want to miss.
Worth the drive to Montezuma 1000 times over. This is an experience you should indulge in. Fresh ingredients, beautifully plated meals, served up overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. I recommend calling to make a reservation as they are only open a few hours a day and on certain days!
44 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa de los Artistas
Worth the drive to Montezuma 1000 times over. This is an experience you should indulge in. Fresh ingredients, beautifully plated meals, served up overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. I recommend calling to make a reservation as they are only open a few hours a day and on certain days!
Great lunch spot with a beachfront view of Carmen’s surf break.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Restaurante Playa Carmen
cruce de Playa CarmenGreat lunch spot with a beachfront view of Carmen’s surf break.
Such a lovely spot for breakfast. One of the best gallo pinto’s in town.
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cafe Social
Such a lovely spot for breakfast. One of the best gallo pinto’s in town.
My favorite date night spot! Magical setting under a fairy lit tree and delicious food
Bajo el Árbol /Cafe Escondido
My favorite date night spot! Magical setting under a fairy lit tree and delicious food
Muzza
Favorite Italian spot. Romantic setting and great pastas and bread.
Surfing
Santa Teresa has great surf spots that are active year round! Summer months (Jan-Apr) definitely serve up the best waves but during the winter months you can get lucky, with moments of perfect break at La Lora!
119 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Santa Teresa Beach
Santa Teresa has great surf spots that are active year round! Summer months (Jan-Apr) definitely serve up the best waves but during the winter months you can get lucky, with moments of perfect break at La Lora!
Playa Hermosa, north of Santa Teresa, is another great surf spot. There is a channel for a more manageable paddle out and multiple breaks for varying levels of surfers. Be mindful of the rocks during low tide in particular.
Playa Hermosa - Manzanillo Beach Road
Playa Hermosa - Manzanillo Beach RoadPlaya Hermosa, north of Santa Teresa, is another great surf spot. There is a channel for a more manageable paddle out and multiple breaks for varying levels of surfers. Be mindful of the rocks during low tide in particular.
Best spot during summer months! Carmen has a few breaks that do not disappoint. Be mindful of rocks during low tide.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Carmen Beach
Best spot during summer months! Carmen has a few breaks that do not disappoint. Be mindful of rocks during low tide.
When Santa Teresa is too big and powerful, Cabuya’s two spots tend to be sweet. Choose between Cedros, which serves a fun left break, or Lajas, which has a few breaks to choose from. Be mindful of the rocks at both during low tide.
Cabuya
When Santa Teresa is too big and powerful, Cabuya’s two spots tend to be sweet. Choose between Cedros, which serves a fun left break, or Lajas, which has a few breaks to choose from. Be mindful of the rocks at both during low tide.
Retreat
Zunya is a special place, protecting and restoring nature in Mal Pais. They offer many classes and workshops that can be found on their website, including yoga, nature walks and ecstatic dance. Volleyball on a Thursday at 4pm is free and one of my favorite ways to connect with people in a friendly and active way.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zūnya
Zunya is a special place, protecting and restoring nature in Mal Pais. They offer many classes and workshops that can be found on their website, including yoga, nature walks and ecstatic dance. Volleyball on a Thursday at 4pm is free and one of my favorite ways to connect with people in a friendly and active way.
Yoga
My favorite yoga spot in all of Santa Teresa. The view is spectacular, overlooking Playa Carmen’s surf break. During whale season you are also in for a surprise appearance. The teachers are the best in town and classes are affordable - with packages available. Their FB page updates the schedule frequently.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hotel Horizon Yoga Santa Teresa
Calle Buenos AiresMy favorite yoga spot in all of Santa Teresa. The view is spectacular, overlooking Playa Carmen’s surf break. During whale season you are also in for a surprise appearance. The teachers are the best in town and classes are affordable - with packages available. Their FB page updates the schedule frequently.
I also really enjoy yoga at Believe! Followed by breakfast at El Patio. The perfect way to start any Sunday.
Believe Surf Camp & Yoga Santa Teresa
I also really enjoy yoga at Believe! Followed by breakfast at El Patio. The perfect way to start any Sunday.
Rock pools
During low tide, I recommend walking along the beaches of Mal Pais to discover secret pools. These are the best spots to relax and unwind.
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Malpais
During low tide, I recommend walking along the beaches of Mal Pais to discover secret pools. These are the best spots to relax and unwind.
Consejos para la ciudad
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Rent a car
I know most travelers opt for the excitement and thrill of a quad, but I’ve witnessed far too many accidents to recommend. Our roads are dangerous and in poor conditions, I highly recommend renting either a car or a bicycle to ensure your time in Santa Teresa is safe and comfortable. During summer there is also a lot of dust which can make riding in open air very uncomfortable.
Formas de ahorrar
Pay in colones
As much as possible, try to pay in colones, the local currency. You will get better prices if you do. I recommend having a currency converter easily accessible on your phone if you ever want to double check a conversion, because the exchange can definitely be tricky from time to time.
Costumbres y cultura
No toilet paper in the toilet
This took some getting used to! But Santa Teresa doesn’t have septic tanks. As such, it is common for most bathrooms to request disposal of toilet paper in a bin provided. I highly suggest following these requests unless you want to feel the embarrassment of an overflowing toilet 😳