Beyond the beach: choosing a day trip from Santa Teresa
A forest trail, a waterfall lunch or a day on the gulf. Choose the outing that fits your group, and give it room in the week.
Read the storyNotes from Villa Raya
Santa Teresa
travel journal.
Surf mornings, forest trails and days worth leaving open. Stories and practical guides for your own corner of Costa Rica.
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Days out
A Montezuma day trip: waterfalls, then a table by the sea
Trade a beach day for a change of scenery, with time for the trail and a meal that has room to unfold.
Read the storyFood & drink
An evening at the villa: groceries, wine and a good dinner
A few good ingredients, something for the grill and no reason to rush out. The hosts’ guide to making an evening at home part of the holiday.
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Slow mornings: where to have breakfast in Santa Teresa
Coffee first, plans later. Three host favorites for mornings when everyone moves at a different pace.
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An evening by the Pacific: sunset dinner in Santa Teresa
A casual table near the sand or a dinner worth lingering over: choose the evening that suits your group.
Read the storyTrip planning
Getting to Santa Teresa: plan the journey before the first sunset
A domestic flight, a ferry crossing or the road across the peninsula. Choose the route that fits your arrival, luggage and travel style.
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Three days in Santa Teresa, with room for everyone
A suggested itinerary for families and friends who want time together without doing every activity together.
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When to visit Santa Teresa: planning for dry and green seasons
Start with the kind of holiday you want, then choose dates with the season in mind.
Read the storySurfing
Your first wave: learning to surf in Santa Teresa
A first surf lesson can be the beginning of a whole new way to spend a morning. Here is how to give yours a thoughtful start.
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Playa Hermosa: a surf day at Santa Teresa’s northern end
Make a little room in your stay for Playa Hermosa: a lesson if conditions suit, a walk, and time to watch the ocean.
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Santa Teresa or Playa Carmen? Choosing your surf day
The useful question is less which beach is best, and more which beach works for your level and today’s conditions.
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Beyond the first wave: surf coaching in Santa Teresa
If you already surf but keep meeting the same frustration, a few well-chosen coaching sessions can give your trip a clearer purpose.
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Travel light: renting a surfboard in Santa Teresa
Renting locally can simplify a surf trip. A few conversations before arrival help you choose equipment and avoid surprises at the shop.
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A week in Santa Teresa for surfers and everyone else
One shared villa, several different ideas of a perfect day. This suggested week gives both surfers and non-surfers room to enjoy themselves.
Read the storySlow living
A slower morning: finding a yoga class in Santa Teresa
A single class can give a day a different shape. You do not need to book a retreat to make space for yoga during your stay.
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The day you leave open: massage and slow living in Santa Teresa
Between surfing, hiking and boat trips, an unhurried day belongs in the itinerary too. Give it the same care as the bigger adventures.
Read the storyOutdoor adventures
Between forest and sea: horseback riding near Santa Teresa
A guided ride offers another way to spend time along the coast. Choose a route and pace that work for both the riders and the horses.
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Above the trees: a Montezuma zipline day from Santa Teresa
For a day with a little more adrenaline, look toward Montezuma’s canopy tours and let the outing be the main event.
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The quieter coast: exploring Mal País on foot
Make the coast itself the activity: rock formations, small details in the shallows and a walk that does not need a distant destination.
Read the storyNature & wildlife
A forest day: hiking Cabo Blanco from Santa Teresa
A forest hike with the ocean waiting beyond the trees. Start from Cabuya, choose the Danés loop or the longer Sueco beach trail, and leave room for an unhurried day.
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Curú Wildlife Refuge: a different side of the peninsula
Curú brings forest, mangroves and coast into one nature-focused outing. Give it a day of its own and a little patience.
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Look up: a first birdwatching morning on the Nicoya Peninsula
You do not need a life list or a long lens. Begin with curiosity, a quiet moment and a guide who can help you see what you might otherwise miss.
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Give a morning back: joining a Santa Teresa beach cleanup
A little time caring for the coast can become a meaningful part of the trip. Start with the local people already doing the work.
Read the storyOn the water
An island day: Tortuga snorkeling from Santa Teresa
A boat journey, time in the water and an island lunch can fill a day beautifully. The key is understanding the whole itinerary before you book.
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After dark: a bioluminescence outing in Paquera
This is an evening built around a natural phenomenon. Give the journey as much thought as the glowing water you hope to see.
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A paddle and a pause: sea kayaking in the Gulf of Nicoya
Swap the surfboard for a kayak and explore the peninsula from another side. This is a day for moving slowly enough to notice the shore.
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Looking for a gentler paddle? Planning SUP near Santa Teresa
Stand-up paddleboarding can be its own reason to explore the peninsula. Choose the setting and support before choosing the photograph.
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A morning with a captain: fishing trips from Mal País
A fishing outing can be as much about time with a local captain as the catch. Start by choosing the kind of day your group actually wants.
Read the storyAbout the journal
Published by Villa Raya. Food stories include local favorites selected by hosts Suren and Alina; activity guides bring together practical planning advice and local knowledge. Itineraries are suggestions. Activities are arranged separately with their providers. Check current availability, access and conditions before setting out.
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