Our Favorite Day Trips from Santa Teresa

As gorgeous as the luxury villa rentals are here at Casa Teresa, we realize you probably didn’t travel all the way to Costa Rica just to lounge around, although we would not blame you if you chose to! Day trips from Santa Teresa, Costa Rica are right at your fingertips to explore and make coming home to your private oasis feel that much sweeter. Here are just a few of our favorite things to do along the Nicoya Peninsula.  

Playa Hermosa

Playa Hermosa literally translates to “beautiful beach” in Spanish, and we have to say that description is an apt one. With a lack of underwater rocks and surroundings consisting of beautiful palm trees and open skies, it’s the perfect Santa Teresa beach to learn how to surf or take in the local sights and sounds.

Mal Pais

Mal Pais is a fantastic general location to make a day trip from Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Thanks to its location next to some gorgeous wilderness, this little port town is ripe with activities like paddleboarding, horseback riding, and fishing (both casual and sport depending on your preference). And speaking of said wilderness, that leads us right into our next pick.

Cabo Blanco Nature Preserve

You can’t make a list of great Santa Teresa day trips without bringing up the beautiful and historic Cabo Blanco Nature Preserve. Beyond its status as Costa Rica’s oldest nature reservation, it’s also one of the most popular and well-preserved spots to visit with many different types of wildlife species to observe. 

Montezuma

The village of Montezuma is only a short drive away from our grounds at Casa Teresa. If you are looking for things to do on Nicoya Peninsula, Montezuma checks many different boxes. Not only does it boast some of the most famous and beautiful waterfalls in all of Costa Rica, but Montezuma also features a bustling nightlife scene full of bohemian arts and diversions. A day trip from Santa Teresa to its Costa Rica sister city in Montezuma will be well worth anyone’s time.

Coyote

If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding, you can find a fantastic full-day tour on the picturesque Coyote Estuary north of Santa Teresa. You can take a stab at this adventurous activity while getting to know some of the Nicoya Peninsula’s most unique waterways and wildlife. This Santa Teresa, Costa Rica day trip is ideal for families or groups of 3-4 people who want a fun but relaxing time on the water.

Isla Tortuga

Visiting Isla Tortuga is one of the best and most rewarding things to do on Nicoya Peninsula. Requiring a boat trip to even reach, Isla Tortuga lives up to its name with an abundance of sea turtle sightings and some truly beautiful surf once you arrive. This choice ranks high on our list of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica day trips not only because it is a great place to visit for wildlife viewing, but because its relative obscurity and out-of-the-way nature means even more solitude for your adventures! Note this day trip is approximately 75 minutes by car from Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.

El Chorro Waterfalls (Catarata el Chorro in Tango Mar)

When discussing things to do along the Nicoya Peninsula and our favorite day trips from Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, we would be remiss to not mention the beautiful El Chorro Waterfalls near Tango Mar, about a 48 minute drive from the town of Santa Teresa. This breathtaking site, accessible by a moderately easy hike and some potential rock scrambling, is home to one of the select waterfalls in the world that drops directly into an ocean. Be sure to keep an eye on the tides if you choose to hike.

Further Afield: Barra Honda National Park

This one takes a bit more travel time, and you may decide to overnight in the area depending on how adventurous you’re feeling, but when you get here, you’ll see why Barro Honda is a worthwhile day trip from Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Barra Honda National Park is home to breathtaking limestone caves that are waiting to be explored. You can take a guided tour and see stalagmites, stalactites, soda straw, and other formations up close in the more than 40 known cave locations. There are also numerous hiking trails throughout the park teeming with exotic wildlife.

Find the Best Santa Teresa, Costa Rica Day Trip with Casa Teresa

Instead of simply reading about all the breathtaking adventures that will await you upon your visit to Costa Rica, why not take the dive and book a trip with us today? As tantalizing as many of these locales may be to read about, that’s nothing compared to the feeling of these pristine white sands between your toes and seeing this utterly unique part of the world for yourself. Choosing Casa Teresa Luxury Villas as your base for Santa Teresa, Costa Rica day trips allows you to take in all the splendor that this beautiful area can offer, then return to an immaculate private massage from one of our world-class masseurs.

If you need more ideas for things to do when you get here, our travel blog is a treasure trove of sightseeing tips, itinerary ideas, historical trivia, and other pointers you can use to get the most out of your vacation with us. Our expert concierge can help you ensure your booking and your stay are as smooth, unforgettable, and relaxing as possible.

Book a stay with Casa Teresa today and open up a world of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica day trips that will truly open your eyes to our piece of paradise.