Around Santa Teresa

ACTIVITIES AND TOURS AROUND SANTA TERESA

There is a wealth of recreational opportunities in the areas around Santa Teresa. Besides being one of Costa Rica’s top surf spots, there are other pursuits such as fishing, boat cruises, snorkeling, kite surfing, horseback riding and canopy tours. Different types of Yoga and Pilates are offered privately or as scheduled classes, as well Spanish language lessons. Many travelers enjoy driving to Montezuma or Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve for a day’s visit, or they go by ATV. During the touristy season, there is often a beach party going on under the stars. The town is cozy and lively with music.

Playa Santa Teresa is wide and long for strollers and joggers. Natural pools formed at low provide calm waters for a swim. You can rent a bike and cycle along the beaches.

Santa Teresa is relatively new as a surfing destination with long breaks year round. In certain seasons its swells and waves are the most impressive on the Pacific Coast. You can drive to many other surfing spots within a few minutes to look for the best spot of the day. Surf lessons are and board rentals are readily available.

Join a seascape kayak tour at the Curu Wildlife Refuge, a small wildlife preserve and national park on the southern tip of Nicoya peninsula. You will kayak over crystal clear water and chance to catch a glimpse of sea turtles, watch monkeys at play and huge pelicans gliding right by. Visit several beautiful beaches, a mangrove estuary and the Tortuga Islands.

Enjoy a guided horseback riding trip to a nearby cattle ranch that borders the ocean, covering nine thousand acre, as an invited guest. Birds, monkeys and other wildlife will be observed as you ride along the high pastures overlooking stunning tropical landscape and dramatic ocean vistas. A sunset ride back along the beach is a must.

From the nearby town of Malpais fishing excursions head out to the Pacific Ocean where tuna, mahi mahi, snapper, grouper, roosterfish and other game fish are found. In certain seasons the famous Pacific sailfish are within reach. The crew will point out Isla Cabo Blanco which is the nesting point of frigate birds and a unique underwater volcano.

Snorkeling tours will take you to Playa Los Suecos, a secluded white sand beach bordering Cabo Blanco Preserve, where you can enjoy the tide pools at low tide. You will be accompanied by a local naturalist.
For the adventurous, a flight above the jungle canopy is a short 15-minute drive away in Malpais, set on a sixty acre farm, untouched and unspoiled. You will fly above the canopy while enjoying stunning vistas of the Pacific and Cabo Blanco.

Cabo Blanco Natural Preserve, located at the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, can be reached by four wheel drive or ATV on dirt roads. There are different trails inside the preserve for hikers of all energy levels. You will see different birds, monkeys, anteaters and iguanas. After hiking through the national preserve, you may visit the Rain Song Sanctuary, a private establishment which rescues wild injured animals, heals and releases them back into their natural habitat. Or you may tour around the "Great Rock" island at the point of the peninsula, where frigate birds, pelicans and marine life abound. Look for mating sea turtles, giant rays, dolphin and even migrating whales in certain season.