Villa Raya

Photography

Sources and credits for the images accompanying our guides. Food and activity photographs may illustrate a subject rather than a particular recommended business or provider. Creative Commons adaptations retain the license linked with each image.

Horseback

Beach riding in Costa Rica. Illustrative photograph taken at Playa Esterillos. Photo: MariaAngela Picado · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Resized and cropped for display.

A visitor ziplining through dense green rainforest at Canopy San Lorenzo

Zipline

Rainforest ziplining in Costa Rica. Illustrative photograph from Canopy San Lorenzo, San Ramón. Photo: Bigmacthealmanac · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized and cropped for display.

Mangrove-lined estuary opening toward the sea at Curú Wildlife Refuge

Curu

The estuary at Curú Wildlife Refuge, Nicoya Peninsula. Photo: Vlad Podvorny · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized and cropped for display.

Motmot

A turquoise-browed motmot in Costa Rica. Illustrative birdwatching photo taken near the Tárcoles River. Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC0.

Montezuma Waterfall

Montezuma Falls, on the southern Nicoya Peninsula. Photo: Vlad Podvorny · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized and cropped for display.

Cabo Blanco

The beach at Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve. Photo: kirybabe · CC BY 2.0 · Resized and cropped for display.

A surfer with a board silhouetted against a violet and orange sunset at Santa Teresa Beach.

Santa Teresa Surf Sunset

A surfer carries a board across Santa Teresa Beach at sunset. Photo: Christian Holzinger · Unsplash License.

Palm trees leaning toward the water along a beach identified by the photographer as Santa Teresa.

Santa Teresa Beach

Palm-lined coast in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Photo: Marcel L. · Unsplash License.

Waves roll toward a beach beneath low clouds in Santa Teresa.

Santa Teresa Weather

Waves and a clouded sunset at Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Photo: Lisa van Vliet · Unsplash License.

Forested cliffs and a small beach beside turquoise water at Mal Pais.

Mal Pais Aerial

Aerial view of the rocky, forested coast at Mal Pais, Costa Rica. Photo: Samuel Charron · Unsplash License.

A rack of surfboards under palm trees at a beach in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Surfboard Rack

Illustrative photograph: surfboards beside the beach in Da Nang, Vietnam. Photo: Danielle Suijkerbuijk · Unsplash License.

A surfer turns on a breaking wave in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Surf Action

Illustrative photograph: a surfer rides a wave in Costa Rica; the exact beach is not specified. Photo: Chalo Garcia · Unsplash License.

Two paddleboarders on blue water off Playa de Calahonda, Spain.

Paddleboarding

Illustrative photograph: two paddleboarders on the sea at Playa de Calahonda, Spain. Photo: ionut dobre · Unsplash License.

A kayaker paddles through a green, forest-lined waterway in the Drake Bay area.

Drake Bay Kayak

Illustrative photograph: kayaking on a forest-lined waterway in the Drake Bay area, Costa Rica. Photo: Filip Mroz · Unsplash License.

White beach, anchored boats, and blue water seen from Isla Tortuga in Costa Rica.

Tortuga Island

Beach and anchored boats viewed from a lookout on Isla Tortuga, Costa Rica. Photo: Johan Guatemala · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized and cropped for display.

People fishing from a rocky shoreline at sunset on Playa Santa Teresa.

Santa Teresa Fishing

People fishing from the rocks at sunset on Playa Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Photo: Christopher Crouzet · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized and cropped for display.

A beginner stands on a pink surfboard on the sand while an instructor guides her.

First Surf Lesson

Illustrative photograph: a beginner practices her surf stance with an instructor; location unspecified. Photo: Serg Alesenko · Pexels License.

A lone kayaker silhouetted on calm golden water at dusk in Biggera Waters, Australia.

Dusk Kayak Illustrative

Illustrative photograph: a kayaker at dusk in Biggera Waters, Australia. Photo: Rhiannon Stone · Pexels License.

Illustrative cuisine photo: Three golden tacos topped with onion and cilantro, with lime and a bowl of sauce.

Food Tacos

Illustrative cuisine photo; not photographed at this restaurant. Photo: Los Muertos Crew · Pexels License.

Illustrative cuisine photo: Cheese pizza with basil leaves and a golden crust on a wooden board.

Food Pizza

Illustrative cuisine photo; not photographed at this restaurant. Photo: Salman Manki · Pexels License.

Illustrative cuisine photo: Sushi rolls and salmon slices arranged on a black plate.

Food Sushi

Illustrative cuisine photo; not photographed at this restaurant. Photo: Maria Luiza Melo · Pexels License.

Illustrative cuisine photo: Grilled fish fillet with colorful vegetables and a pale sauce on a ceramic plate.

Food Grilled Fish

Illustrative cuisine photo; not photographed at this restaurant. Photo: elif tekkaya · Pexels License.

Illustrative cuisine photo: A croissant and a cup of coffee on a glass plate over white linen.

Food Croissant Coffee

Illustrative breakfast photo; not photographed at a featured restaurant. Photo: Alesia Talkachova · Pexels License.

Illustrative cuisine photo: Ceviche with red onion, corn, sweet potato and fried fish on a blue plate.

Food Ceviche

Illustrative cuisine photo; not photographed at this restaurant. Photo: Nano Erdozain · Pexels License.

Illustrative cuisine photo: A bowl of noodles with vegetables, nuts and chopsticks on a table.

Food Noodles

Illustrative cuisine photo; not photographed at this restaurant. Photo: Victoria Emerson · Pexels License.

Illustrative cuisine photo: Grilled steak with crosshatched grill marks on a wooden board beside red peppers.

Food Steak

Illustrative cuisine photo; not photographed at this restaurant. Photo: Luiz Lorencetti · Pexels License.

Illustrative cuisine photo: A sweet brunch dish topped with berries, granola, cream and mint on a dark plate.

Food Pancakes

Illustrative cuisine photo; not photographed at this restaurant. Photo: Sergei Starostin · Pexels License.

Illustrative cuisine photo: Two colorful iced drinks garnished with cucumber and citrus on a table.

Food Cocktails

Illustrative cuisine photo; not photographed at this restaurant. Photo: Bich Tran · Pexels License.

Yoga

Illustrative — outdoor group yoga practice. Photo: Amauri Mejía · Unsplash License.

Volunteers filling reusable sacks with litter along a sandy beach in Barbados.

Beach Cleanup

Illustrative — volunteers collecting beach litter in Barbados. Photo: Brian Yurasits · Unsplash License.

Close-up of a massage therapist’s hands applying pressure to a client’s back.

Spa

Illustrative — a massage treatment. Photo: Toa Heftiba · Unsplash License.

A basket holding fresh green beans, green fruit and purple eggplants.

Produce

Illustrative produce photograph taken in India; not photographed at the recommended shop or supplier. Photo: iKshana Productions · Unsplash License.

Wine

Illustrative wine photograph taken in Argentina; not photographed at Tipsy. Photo: Joao Vitor Marcilio · Unsplash License.

Scrambled eggs with seeded toast and tomatoes

Guide Food Breakfast Eggs Toast

Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant. Photo: Helen Brudna · Pexels License.

Berry smoothie bowls topped with fruit and granola

Guide Food Breakfast Smoothie Bowl

Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant. Photo: Taryn Elliott · Pexels License.

Guide Food Breakfast Pastries

Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant. Photo: Geraud pfeiffer · Pexels License.

Pepperoni pizza photographed from overhead

Guide Food Pizza Pepperoni

Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant. Photo: Engin Akyurt · Pexels License.

Neapolitan pizza topped with mozzarella and basil

Guide Food Pizza Neapolitan

Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant. Photo: Moussa Idrissi · Pexels License.

Artisan pizzas topped with basil and mozzarella on stone platters

Guide Food Pizza Table

Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant. Photo: Vincent Rivaud · Pexels License.

Guide Food Sushi Assorted

Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant. Photo: Connor Scott McManus · Pexels License.

Chocolate croissant and cappuccino on a wooden café table

Guide Food Breakfast Chocolate Croissant

Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant. Photo: Kunal Lakhotia · Pexels License.

Grilled whole fish served with lemon slices

Guide Food Seafood Grilled Fish

Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant. Photo: Dmitriy Tarasenko · Pexels License.

Grilled shrimp skewers with herbs on a black plate

Guide Food Seafood Shrimp

Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant. Photo: Huzaifa Bukhari · Pexels License.

Sliced grilled steak with tomatoes and green peppers

Guide Food Steak Sliced

Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant. Photo: Emre Vonal · Pexels License.

Sliced steak with green herb sauce on a wooden board

Guide Food Steak Herbs

Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant. Photo: wutthichai charoenburi · Pexels License.

Seafood ceviche topped with avocado and vegetables

Guide Food Ceviche Avocado

Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant. Photo: John Henry · Pexels License.

Mediterranean salad with feta, olives and fresh vegetables

Guide Food Mediterranean Salad

Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant. Photo: Chan Walrus · Pexels License.

Citrus cocktail held against a seaside sunset

Guide Food Sunset Cocktail

Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant. Photo: Mihman Duğanlı · Pexels License.

Beachfront dining tables silhouetted at sunset

Guide Food Sunset Beach Dining

Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant. Photo: Tomi Saputra · Pexels License.

Beachside restaurant lights beneath a colorful sunset sky

Guide Food Sunset Restaurant Lights

Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant. Photo: Alessandro Paci · Pexels License.

A young beginner practices on a blue surfboard while an instructor stands nearby in the shallow surf.

Guide Activity Beginner Surf

Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider. Photo: Atlantic Ambience · Pexels License.

Surfboards rest on a rack beside lush tropical plants.

Guide Activity Surfboard Rental

Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider. Photo: Elina Sazonova · Pexels License.

Three surfers gather with their boards on a sunny beach.

Guide Activity Surf Friends

Illustrative activity photograph; Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider. Photo: Jess Loiterton · Pexels License.

Two riders on horseback follow a beach at sunset.

Guide Activity Horseback

Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider. Photo: Mike van Schoonderwalt · Pexels License.

A helmeted visitor rides a zipline above green forest.

Guide Activity Zipline

Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider. Photo: Ditrich Oleg · Pexels License.

A surfer rides along the face of a breaking blue wave.

Guide Activity Surf Action

Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider. Photo: Jess Loiterton · Pexels License.

Two volunteers collect litter from a beach with a net and refuse bag.

Guide Activity Beach Cleanup

Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider. Photo: Ron Lach · Pexels License.

A paddleboarder glides over clear water beside a palm-lined beach.

Guide Activity Paddleboarding

Illustrative activity photograph; Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider. Photo: Mariya Eskina · Pexels License.

Two women practice yoga on a sandy beach beside the sea.

Guide Activity Yoga

Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider. Photo: olia danilevich · Pexels License.

A woman receives a relaxing facial massage in a softly lit spa.

Guide Activity Spa

Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider. Photo: Anete Lusina · Pexels License.

A lone kayaker paddles across calm sea beneath a cloudy sunset sky.

Guide Activity Dusk Kayak

Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider. Photo: Lindsay Madelo · Pexels License.

Two fishermen work from a small boat on the open sea.

Guide Activity Boat Fishing

Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider. Photo: buse kaleo · Pexels License.

Two paddlers ride a tandem kayak across calm open water under a bright sky.

Guide Activity Sea Kayak

Illustrative activity photograph; Cebu City, Central Visayas, Philippines. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider. Photo: kk b · Pexels License.

A blue ocean wave curls and breaks into white foam.

Guide Activity Surf Waves

Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider. Photo: Fermin Rodriguez Penelas · Pexels License.

A keel-billed toucan perches on a branch amid green Costa Rican forest.

Guide Activity Birdwatching

Illustrative activity photograph; Costa Rica; exact location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider. Photo: Enrique Hidalgo · Pexels License.

Guide Activity Cabo Blanco

A forested hillside meets the sea and pale beach at Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve. Photo: Hans Hillewaert · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized and cropped for display.

Guide Activity Tortuga

Small boats anchor beside Isla Tortuga, with wooded islands across the water. Photo: micah420 · CC BY 2.0 · Resized and cropped for display.

Guide Activity Mal Pais

A shell rests on stacked stones beside the rocky shore at Playa Malpaís. Photo: Jose Reñazco · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized and cropped for display.

Guide Activity Curu

A variegated squirrel perches in Curú Wildlife Refuge. Photo: Leyo · CC BY-SA 2.5 ch · Resized and cropped for display.

Guide Activity Montezuma Waterfall

A waterfall flows over dark rock into a natural pool at Montezuma. Photo: LOG83 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized and cropped for display.

Guide Activity Santa Teresa Beach

Morning light falls across the sandy beach and trees at Santa Teresa. Photo: Nathan Farrish · Unsplash License.

A surfer turns across a breaking wave at Playa Carmen in Costa Rica.

Journal Intermediate Surf

Surfing at Playa Carmen, Costa Rica. Photo: Ladd Greene · CC0 1.0.

A candlelit table with tropical flowers and white linen overlooks the sea beneath coastal trees at dusk.

Journal Sunset Dining

Coastal dining inspiration; illustrative photograph. Photo: Rachel Claire · Pexels License.

Four friends sit side by side on the sand watching the sunset over the water.

Journal Group Travel

Illustrative photograph; not photographed at a recommended local provider. Photo: Clarence Gaspar · Pexels License.

The coast of Santa Teresa curves past forested hills beneath a gold sunset sky.

Journal Cover

Santa Teresa Bay from the Mal Pais hill. Photo: LOG83 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo: LOG83 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized and cropped for display.

Fresh peppers, squash and cucumbers are arranged in colorful rows in a supermarket produce display.

Journal Groceries

Illustrative photograph; not photographed at a recommended local provider. Photo: Greta Hoffman · Pexels License.

The Tambor II vehicle ferry passes a small boat near the Puntarenas waterfront.

Journal Arrival

Tambor II at Puntarenas. Photo: kitmasterbloke / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Photo: kitmasterbloke · CC BY 4.0 · Resized and cropped for display.

Dense green forest covers rolling hills in Nicoya, Costa Rica.

Journal Day Trips

Forested hills in Nicoya, Costa Rica. Photo: bennoptic · Unsplash License.

Palm-lined forest and dark rocks frame a sheltered pool along the Mal Pais coast.

Guide Practical Mal Pais

The rocky coast of Playa Malpaís, Costa Rica. Photo: Francisco · CC0 1.0.

A broad sandy shoreline bordered by palms and coastal forest at Playa Grande near Montezuma, Costa Rica.

Guide Practical Cover

Playa Grande near Montezuma, on the Nicoya Peninsula. Photo: micah420 · CC BY 2.0 · Resized and cropped for display.

A shopper selects produce beside a display of fruit and vegetables in a grocery store.

Guide Practical Groceries

Illustrative photograph; not photographed at a recommended local provider. Photo: Anya Richter · Pexels License.

A person holds a woven basket filled with radishes, leafy greens, peppers and other fresh vegetables.

Guide Practical Produce

Illustrative photograph; not photographed at a recommended local provider. Photo: RDNE Stock project · Pexels License.

A woman sits on a rock with her eyes closed and one hand on her chest during meditation.

Guide Practical Wellness

Illustrative photograph; not photographed at a recommended local provider. Photo: ArtHouse Studio · Pexels License.

Palm trees and driftwood line a Costa Rican beach beneath a pink evening sky.

Guide Practical Santa Teresa Coast

The palm-lined coast in the Santa Teresa area, Costa Rica. Photo: Lisa van Vliet · Unsplash License.

An instructor holds a surfer’s hand while helping him balance on a board in a small wave.

Guide Practical Surf Lesson

Illustrative photograph; not photographed at a recommended local provider. Photo: Victoria Marzullo · Pexels License.

A massage therapist works on a client’s back beside smooth stones in a monochrome spa photograph.

Guide Practical Spa

Illustrative photograph; not photographed at a recommended local provider. Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko · Pexels License.

A visitor photographs an orange and pink sunset from the shoreline at Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.

Guide Practical Hermosa Inspiration

Coastal inspiration: sunset at nearby Santa Teresa Beach. Photo: Christian Holzinger · Unsplash License.

Open-air dining room at Fermata Kitchen, with timber beams, woven chairs and tropical greenery

Venue Fermata Kitchen

Fermata Kitchen at Hotel Fermata, Santa Teresa. Photo: Kirsten Ellis / Hotel Fermata · Official editorial media kit.

Venue Google Playa De Los Artistas

Red entrance gates and a shaded garden path leading to Playa de los Artistas in Montezuma Photo: Playa de los Artistas · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Namore

Tropical plants beside the NAMORÉ kitchen, bakery and bar entrance Photo: NAMORÉ · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Ranchos Itauna

Aerial view of the Pacific coastline and tropical greenery beside Ranchos Itauna Photo: Ranchos Itauna · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Shambala

Fresh ceviche with vegetable garnishes in a terracotta bowl at Shambala Photo: Restaurante Shambala - Santa Teresa, Costa Rica · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Eat Street

Ceviche with crisp plantain chips, herbs and sliced peppers at Eat Street Photo: Eat Street · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Coyote Brunch

Savory breakfast dish topped with sauce and seeds, served with lime and slaw at COYOTE Brunch Photo: COYOTE Brunch · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google El Facon

Grilled steak with mushrooms, vegetables and purée at El Facón Photo: El Facon Grill & Bar · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Mantarraya Cafe

Breakfast burrito with dipping sauce at Mantarraya Café Photo: Mantarraya Cafe · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google The Bakery

Avocado toast topped with poached eggs, radish and cherry tomatoes at The Bakery Photo: The Bakery · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Amici

Wood-fired pizza topped with salmon, greens and lemon wedges at Amici Santa Teresa Photo: Amici Santa Teresa · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Rocamar

Surfboards and shaded wooden tables overlooking the ocean at Rocamar Photo: Rocamar · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Blue Mist

Oceanfront dining under string lights at sunset at Blue Mist Beach Club Photo: Blue Mist Hotel and Beach Club · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Brukas

Open-air wooden terrace overlooking the Pacific at sunset at Brukas Photo: BRUKAS RESTAURANT · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Bajo El Arbol

Sliced tuna with greens and colorful sauces on a white platter at Bajo el Árbol Photo: Restaurante Bajo el Árbol · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Banana Beach

Sunset over Pacific waves and the beach beside Banana Beach Restaurant Photo: Banana Beach Restaurant · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Kojis

Avocado-topped sushi rolls on a wooden board at Koji’s Photo: Koji’s · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Muzza

Sourdough pizza with tomato slices, green olives and herbs at Muzza Photo: Muzza · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Pronto

Wood-fired pizza with melted cheese, mushrooms and basil at Pronto Piccola Italia Photo: Pronto Piccola Italia | Italian Restaurant · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google El Carmen

Shaded wooden seating with an ocean view at El Carmen Beach Café Restaurant Photo: El Carmen Beach Café Restaurant · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Manzu Nantipa

Breakfast served at an ocean-facing table at Manzú at Nantipa Photo: Manzú a Beachfront Restaurant · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Sargo

Fresh fish ceviche with red onion, sliced chile and crisp corn fritters at SARGO in Santa Teresa. Photo: SARGO - restaurante de mar · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Kooks

Cheeseburger with fries and a cold drink at Kooks Smokehouse and Bar Photo: Kooks Smokehouse and Bar · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Satori

Colorful sushi rolls and sashimi arranged on a wooden board at Satori Sushi Photo: Satori Sushi Santa Teresa · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google Katana

Katana’s warmly lit dining room and bar beneath a curved bamboo ceiling Photo: Katana Asian Cuisine · Used with venue permission.

Venue Google La Cevicheria

Bowls of fresh ceviche with seafood, red onion and colorful garnishes at La Cevichería Photo: La Cevicheria · Used with venue permission.