Santa Teresa is a booming travel destination in Costa Rica which attracts especially surfers and the younger crowds to its scenic beaches and great surf.

A broad strip of forest frames the beach of Santa Teresa and an absence of high-rise buildings maintains the pristine image of the coastline with its long sweep of white sand beach washed by the pacific surf and backed by jungle covered hills.

Behind the beach forest lies Santa Teresa’s main drag which runs parallel to the coast on a potholed and dusty dirt road.

The past few years the village has seen a huge spike in devolopment and constructions now spread up the hills inland from the coast.

Quite a tourist who had just been on a surf vacation in Costa Rica decided to make Santa Teresa his home. The multicultural new residents have created a panoply of restaurants, venues, and hotels in Santa Teresa, with lodging options from low-key surf hostels to some of the most luxurious hotels in Costa Rica.

For many people surfing is the main pursuit and many visitors receive their first surf lesson in Santa Teresa. Apart from challenging surf spots for experts there are also the easy-going breaks of Playa Carmen for novice surfers. Many hotels offer surf instruction and surf camps in Santa Teresa.

There is however still more to do than surfing. Playa Santa Teresa and Playa Carmen rank among the most beautiful beaches of Costa Rica. You can make long hikes along the picturesque coastline, bathe in tidal pools or find a place under a palm tree for loafing and reading a book.

Many activities are available in the neighboring community of Mal Pais. From its small fishing port you can embark on a tour by boat to go snorkeling or fishing. Other options are stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, horseback riding or ziplining on the canopy tour next to the Cabo Blanco Reserve.