Playa Santa Teresa
Playa Santa Teresa
4.5
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4.5
1,078 reviews
Excellent
756
Very good
220
Average
66
Poor
22
Terrible
14
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Daniella B
Chicago, United States4 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
My husband and I did our honeymoon 11 years ago in Santa Teresa and fell in love—but that sleepy surfer town is long gone. What’s left is a bustling city that’s hasn’t figured out how to handle its rapid growth. It’s completely unsafe, loud, and dirty here. We came back to show my daughter and my parents a beautiful week full of adventures but with peace at the center. There is no peace here. The city is jammed full of people, loud motorbikes, ATV’s, big trucks hauling construction equipment, and cars navigating the ridiculous roads. There is no parking and no rules. At one point a motor bike driven by a teenager barreled down the wrong side of the road attempting to pass a big truck—we were walking on the side of the street because there are no sidewalks. He nearly plowed into my husband and 6 year old before skidding to a stop flinging rocks in all directions inches from her. We saw several little crosses on the side of the road. Very scary. The food is fresh and delicious but repetitive—the same menu items in different spots—and boy there are a lot of spots. It’s smelly and nature feels there but far away. The noise pollution is the WORST. It never feels like I got rested and refreshed and it got to the point that we were avoiding leaving our AirBnB because the chaos was overwhelming. It’s just feels like a town that got too big too fast. And that’s too bad.
Written 20 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Breeanna J
Dallas, TX19 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
Skip, way more beautiful, peaceful places all over Costa Rica. Santa Teresa has unfortunately been taken over by tourists and developers and not your typical pura vida Costa Rica experience. The town is dirty and noisy with atv 4x4 quads. Not a town for families or young kids at all. There was no relaxing vibe. The beach has big waves, not for young kids. This was the only place in Costa Rica that we visited during our Costa Rica tour that did not recycle. A place in Costa Rica that does not recycle should tell you something that the developers do not care about the beauty of the beach or the respect the Costa Rica country. We will be returning to Costa Rica but will skip Santa Teresa.
Written 23 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karina Mabel S
13 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Beautiful Nature of Sea and Jungle that constitutes Santa Teresa. Surfers in the right place. More than Pura Vida!!!!
I do not recommend the sea as a destination to enjoy with the family since it is very aggressive and even dangerous. The moment of enjoyment is when the tide goes out and pools form between the rocks with calm waters. The town offers good gastronomy without many other attractions.
I recommend visiting Monteczuma and Playa Hermosa. The quadricycle travels very well. Good roads and it is safe.
I do not recommend the sea as a destination to enjoy with the family since it is very aggressive and even dangerous. The moment of enjoyment is when the tide goes out and pools form between the rocks with calm waters. The town offers good gastronomy without many other attractions.
I recommend visiting Monteczuma and Playa Hermosa. The quadricycle travels very well. Good roads and it is safe.
Written 7 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sweet-spot_for_travel
Province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica252 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Average age 18-25 and everything that goes along with.
Town is chaotic, tall run down buildings right on the side of the road, beach covered in microplastic 😔/ plastic trash, crowded, hap hazard bars and restaurants sprinkled along the main road.
Costa Rica is so much more than this. It’s sad people consider going there as actually going to CR. Reminded me of Thailand.
Town is chaotic, tall run down buildings right on the side of the road, beach covered in microplastic 😔/ plastic trash, crowded, hap hazard bars and restaurants sprinkled along the main road.
Costa Rica is so much more than this. It’s sad people consider going there as actually going to CR. Reminded me of Thailand.
Written 11 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ohioadam
Ohio84 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
Very nice beach but not the best in the pacific side of Costa Rica. It’s mainly for surfers. Beach has some places to sit under palm trees but make sure you don’t sit under coconuts as they can fall on the head and they are quite heavy. Quite a few locals passed by trying to sell us stuff and we didn’t find this nice.
Written 13 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shawna9109
Chicago, IL52 contributions
Feb 2021 • Friends
Beautiful beach for surfing and relaxing and watching sunset. We were here during dry season so no rain in sight. It did get pretty hot but on those days we just relaxed in the shade. Water was never cold and waves were always perfect.
Written 12 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kristyb562
Long Beach, CA116 contributions
Feb 2022
Beautiful beach! Clean and felt very quiet the week I was there (at Florblanca and Makana's). Amazing tide pools. Rocamar Beach is also a nice spot to go to for meals, people watching and mingling.
The main part of town is busy but manageable. Agree with other reviewers that the roads are not great and it's dusty. I stayed at Florblanca and Makana's Bungalows, it's away from the party scene. Maybe try finding a place near this side of town if you want to avoid the parties, crowds, and want peace and quiet.
The main part of town is busy but manageable. Agree with other reviewers that the roads are not great and it's dusty. I stayed at Florblanca and Makana's Bungalows, it's away from the party scene. Maybe try finding a place near this side of town if you want to avoid the parties, crowds, and want peace and quiet.
Written 21 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FcaD2012
Santiago, Chile80 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
It is a beautiful beach but very full of tourists, noisy and very dirty. By not collecting garbage, it accumulates and generates a bad smell. It is best to stay in its surroundings, but towards a bad country, because this way you will have beauty and tranquility.
The area is beautiful, with many things to do but I recommend not staying in Santa Teresa itself.
The area is beautiful, with many things to do but I recommend not staying in Santa Teresa itself.
Written 16 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ativu
Munich, Germany147 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
Playa Santa Teresa is for me the most beautiful beach in Costa Rica. The sunsets are gorgeous there. The beach is good for surfing and for long walks. If you are in Costa Rica and have enough time to visit the Nicola Peninsula I recommend to visit Santa Teresa.
Written 30 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D2756XOluisr
7 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
If you don’t surf don’t waste your money and time to visit Santa Teresa. The only thing to do here is surf. Restaurants here are more expensive than in the rest of the country. There are much better places to visit in Costa Rica. There is no town here just a road with businesses.
Written 26 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola buenas noches! Consulta, se puede trabajar en la playa como terapeuta manual? Tenes alguna limitación para salir con tu camilla y trabajar en la playa? Gracias
Written 24 July 2023
Comparado con otros lugares de costa Rica es accesible, hay variedad de lugares para comer puede encontrar opciones desde 15 dólares aproximadamente, pero hay lugares de todo tipo de precios
Written 17 June 2019
Is it possible to get from Santa Teresa to Montazuma by taxi or shuttle? I have been searching online and can’t find any pricing.
Written 16 March 2018
You can take the Santa Teresa - San Jose bus (laterminalcostarica) and then switch to another bus or taxi before the ferry, but renting a quad is easier and more fun)
If you get a quad, make sure to wear glasses and a face scarf (it’s really dusty)
Written 17 March 2018
Thinking of visiting punta islita and santa teressa. Is this a easy drive ?
Written 8 March 2018
As of Dec/17,The road to Santa Teresa is paved except for the last 3 km which is awful!Pot holed and dusty. Small cars will bottom out. For Islita take the pavement to Samara and then go south for 20 mins on a dusty pot hole filled road!!It is possible to take the secondary road through Coyote but you better enjoy eating dust!!And a good sense of direction!Lol
Written 14 March 2018
Hi, just read your comments on santa teresa. what beaches would you recomend then ?? we are beginner surfers and want to be able to get good vegan food :) fresh juices etc . thanks !
Written 5 December 2017
Hiya. You better head down to Playa Hermosa or Playa del Carmen. The waves are a lot calmer and there aren't many rocks in the water. There are also some supermarkets and cafes right down the road from Playa Carmen.
Written 5 December 2017
Buen día! voy a estar en Costa Rica en agosto, quisiera saber como hago para llegar desde el aeropuerto a Santa Teresa
Written 14 July 2017
Si puedes tomar una avioneta para Cobano, es cerca de Santa Teresa, ahi queda el aeropuerto de avionetas, de ahi puedes tomar un taxi a Santa Teresa o que del Hotel te recojan.
Si quisieras ir por tierra, puedes tomar un Taxi del Aeropuerto JuanSanta Maria a la Terminal de Buses a Santa Teresa, sale de esta terminal y te lleva a Puntarenas, ahi toman el Ferry bajan del Ferry y se vuelven a montar en el bus que te lleva a Santa Teresa.
Toda va depender de la hora en que llegues a Costa Rica.
Puedes comprar tiquete s por internet.
Que disfrutes mucho! Es bello, es rural las playas preciosas!
Written 16 July 2017
Where is this located? How far from Tamarindo?
Written 19 April 2017
Looking to travel towards the end of October. Is it too rainy then? Difficult to drive? Are the businesses and restaurants open?
Written 17 March 2017
October is really not the best time to go. Yes a lot of rain, and sometimes the roads are washed out from the heavy rain. The business are not all open since it is low season.
Written 25 March 2017
jagtapl
Buffalo Grove, Illinois
We are flying to San Jose and has a plan to rent Jeep to drive to Santa Teresa. Does driving during December will be difficult as rain season gets over ?
Lalit
Written 15 November 2016
Most roads in Costa Rica are paved and decent. The main road "highway" from San Jose all the way to Liberia, Guanacaste is good and paved.
Take the ferry from Punta Arenas to the penisula.
A long portion of the road down the penisula from Nicoya is dirt with potholes (scenic, but bumpy).
The road across the penisula from Montezuma to Santa Teresa is pretty good. The roads around Santa Teresa are dirt and full of potholes. No problem with any small 4x4. I never had to put my Diahatsu Bego in 4x4 when I visited earlier this month.
Warning: Back roads are a different story. There are small rivers to cross in certain places (google maps will still send you that way), so ask a local.
Written 16 November 2016
We are going to be there July 8-15 at a vacation rental in playa Hermosillo. How far of a drive was it to the waterfall hike in moctezuma? And do you recommend the hike?
Written 2 July 2016
I would recommend renting an ATV- there is an amazing off road trail - more or less a dirt road that you can take rather than the main road! You can tons of wild life- monkeys, ant eaters, deer. The road starts just after the restaurant Mary's and passes in from of Mel Gibson home. Once you get around the point there are a lot of small beaches that are great for swimming. Make sure to bring appropriate shoes for the hike to the falls. Flip flops are a big no no! There are some great restaurants just after the falls for lunch or dinner. All in all very safe and great area.
Written 3 July 2016
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