Why We Chose To Build In Santa Teresa

Here is Santa Teresa, a little surf town, nestled on the western coast of the southern Nicoya Peninsula. Long swaths of gold and light beige sand cover the beach. Warm , aquamarine waters offer waves for world-class surf and spectacular sunsets, surrounding mountains and secret waterfalls are an explorers’ dream and a mix of hippy, eclectic, world class nightlife offers locals and visitors alike a life that sometimes feels straight out of an instagram filter. The jungle sweeps down to the pacific ocean from coastal mountains hugging the shore, creating some of the most beautiful and hidden beaches of Costa Rica. The road from the ferry port at Paquera (more on that later) ends at the beach of Playa Carmen. To the right (north) is the Santa Teresa beach, to the left (south) is the sleepy town of Malpais. The entire area from Carmen to Santa Teresa beach is known as Santa Teresa.

Santa Teresa is a dream for many, offering the opportunity to become who you wish to be and live a life so many have dreamed of but didn’t believe possible.

There is surf in the morning, or yoga if you prefer, espressos and smoothie bowls that follow, sleepy afternoons, sunset surf and live music at night. There are vegan and vegetarian options galore and almost any kind of cuisine and cocktails your heart (and mind) could desire.

No matter who you are, you will find your Self here.

This is perhaps why many of our locals who landed here as tourists or backpackers, refer to themselves as “Trapped in Paradise”. Once you are here, it is hard to leave.

How Did Santa Teresa Come To Be

Once a quaint fishing village, poor and at times none-existing roads kept this tropical utopia hidden for decades. In fact the entire land originally belonged to one man who died intestate, and as a result the Costa Rican government divided the land among the local workers so as to encourage urban development. The town remained virtually untouched until the 1990s when backpackers and surfers began to find their way here and discovered a paradise they could not leave behind. Many became “trapped” in this paradise and stayed to develop the town we now know as Santa Teresa.

Santa Teresa and Her One Road

From Carmen beach to Hermosa (and beyond) stretches one, recently paved, road. This is the main road of Santa Teresa and almost all of the businesses are located along this road. It offers access to both the beach and the hills where most of the high-end luxury homes and villas are located.

Transportation The locals use bicycles, motorcycles, ATVs, trucks and 4 by 4s. Those who live in the hills find that the easiest, most convenient (and fun) mode of transportation is either a 4 by 4 or an ATV.

Shops, Dining & Nightlife Despite its raw nature, Santa Teresa offers its visitor an experience in luxury. High-end bikini and clothing brands, from around the world, spread along the one road that stretches from Playa Carmen to Playa Hermosa. Here you will find beautiful and unique clothing that lends well to the beauty of town and the invincible sunshine. Santa Teresa is a hub of various cuisines and offers a lively eclectic nightlife. If you are a coffee lover, there are various coffee shops to choose from, some of them even put the cafes in Italy to shame. You can grab delicious croissants or an avocado toast at The Bakery and pair it with an espresso to taste the fantastic beans of The Roastery. For those in the know, there is also the little Costa Rican bakery, behind The Bakery, that offers fresh local pastries straight out of the oven.

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Croissant at The Bakery at Playa Carmen

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Avocado Toast at The Bakery at Playa Carmen

For dinner, you can enjoy Katana for fantastic asian fusion, Kojis for the best sushi in town, Amici for Italian and El Corazon for sophisticated vegan.

For drinks you can enjoy cocktails at Vista De Olas while watching breathtaking sunsets and stunning infinity pool views.

The best part, most places offer live music almost nightly and you are more than likely to run into a friend while you wait for your food. Nighttime in Santa Teresa is truly magical

Conclusion

Golden sunsets, consistent surf breaks, tasty eats and a social vibe that lets you reimagine what life is all about have made Santa Teresa one of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations.

If you would like to learn more about Santa Teresa and how you can start a new life (or a new vacation home) here contact our sales team to schedule a zoom call.