By the Where to Stay in Costa Rica editorial team · Updated November 5, 2026
The Short Answer
Stay in central Santa Teresa if you want to surf, eat well and walk to sunset bars. The main road runs parallel to the beach, so pick a hotel on the beach side to avoid crossing the dusty road all day. Our pick is Hotel Nantipa.
Stay in Mal País, just south, for quiet, rocky coves and ocean-view villas. Stay in Montezuma for a laid-back village, calm sunrise beaches and waterfalls you can walk to, at lower prices than Santa Teresa.
The Areas Compared
| Area | Best for | Beach | Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Santa Teresa | Surf, restaurants, nightlife | Long surf beach, sunsets | Busy, dusty main road, high prices |
| Playa Hermosa (north) | Quiet surf trips, long beach walks | Wide, consistent waves | Drive to restaurants |
| Mal País (south) | Couples, views, fishing village feel | Rocky, tide pools | Fewer swimmable spots |
| Montezuma | Waterfalls, budgets, a walkable village | Calmer, sunrise side | No surf to speak of, 40 min from Santa Teresa |
The Cabo Blanco nature reserve, Costa Rica's oldest protected area, is near Cabuya at the tip of the peninsula, about an hour by road from Santa Teresa and closer to Montezuma. It's reported to open Wednesday to Sunday only, so check before you go.
Map of Santa Teresa Hotels
Santa Teresa runs north to south along the beach, with Playa Hermosa above it and Mal País below.
Map prices come from Booking.com and other partners through Stay22. Enter your dates on the map to see live rates.
Search all Santa Teresa stays →Best Places to Stay in Santa Teresa and Mal País
Beachfront boutique hotels and villas. Rooms here cost more than elsewhere on the peninsula, especially from December to April.
Hotel Nantipa
Central Santa Teresa, beachfront, Santa Teresa
Our top pick: beachfront bungalows and suites in the middle of Santa Teresa, with restaurants and surf breaks steps away.
Best for: Beachfront luxury
- Beachfront bungalows
- Three-bedroom villa with private pool
- Beachfront restaurant and spa
More about this hotel
Beachfront bungalows a few steps from the sand in the middle of Santa Teresa, plus a three-bedroom villa with its own pool. The open-air beach restaurant and wellness center make it easy to stay put.
Hotel Trópico Latino
South Santa Teresa, beachfront, Santa Teresa
Beachfront bungalows at the quieter south end of Santa Teresa, with a pool facing a good surf break.
Best for: Mid-range beachfront
- Beachfront
- Spa and yoga deck
- Free parking
More about this hotel
Air-conditioned bungalows and suites on the beach in south Santa Teresa, with a spa, a yoga deck, a beachfront restaurant and free parking.
Ocio Villas Mal País
Mal País hillside, Santa Teresa
Hillside villas with private plunge pools and ocean views above Mal País; best for honeymoons.
Best for: Honeymoons
- Private plunge pool at every villa
- Ocean views
- Small and quiet
More about this hotel
Formerly Casa Chameleon: about ten hillside villas above Mal País, each with a terrace, ocean views and its own infinity plunge pool. Small and private, but the access road is steep and rough.
Nautilus Surf & Yoga Villas
Central Santa Teresa, Santa Teresa
Villas with kitchens in central Santa Teresa, good for families and longer stays.
Best for: Self-catering families
- Villas with kitchens
- Pool and air-conditioning
- Surf and yoga lessons
More about this hotel
Villas and apartments with kitchens and terraces about five minutes' walk from the beach, with a pool, air-conditioning and bookable surf and yoga lessons.
Map of Montezuma Hotels
Montezuma is a small village on the east coast; most hotels are within walking distance of its center.
Map prices come from Booking.com and other partners through Stay22. Enter your dates on the map to see live rates.
Search all Montezuma stays →Best Places to Stay in Montezuma
A beachfront resort and three good-value stays near the village and waterfalls.
Ylang Ylang Beach Resort
North of Montezuma village, beachfront, Montezuma
Beachfront resort a short beach walk north of Montezuma village, with jungle bungalows.
Best for: Beachfront couples
- Steps from the beach
- Jungle pool and morning yoga
- Dome and cabin rooms
More about this hotel
Dome and cabin rooms in the jungle a few steps from the sand, a short beach walk north of Montezuma village. There is a jungle pool, morning yoga and an on-site restaurant.
El Sano Banano
Montezuma village, Montezuma
Simple hotel in the center of Montezuma, steps from the beach and the bus stop.
Best for: Staying in the village
- 2 minutes to the beach
- Vegetarian-friendly restaurant
- Use of Ylang Ylang's pool
More about this hotel
A central hotel about two minutes from Montezuma Beach, known for its vegetarian-friendly restaurant. Guests can use the pool at its sister property, Ylang Ylang.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Haakon S. Krohn, CC BY-SA 3.0
Hotel Amor de Mar
Montezuma, by the waterfall trail, Montezuma
Garden hotel with tide pools and hammocks, near the start of the Montezuma waterfall trail.
Best for: Value close to nature
- Across from the waterfall trail
- Sea-view rooms and garden hammocks
- Breakfast included
More about this hotel
An older hotel with sea-view rooms and hammocks in the gardens, across from the Montezuma waterfall trail and an easy walk to town. Breakfast is included.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Vlad Podvorny, CC BY-SA 3.0
Luz en el Cielo Eco-B&B
Hillside above Montezuma, Montezuma
Eco B&B and hostel in the forest above Montezuma, a short walk downhill to the village.
Best for: Budget travelers
- 5-minute walk to the beach
- Pool and shared kitchen
- Bungalows, family rooms and dorms
More about this hotel
Bungalows, private rooms and dorms on the hill above Montezuma, five minutes' walk from the beach, with a pool, a shared kitchen and breakfast included.
Santa Teresa and Montezuma Hotels at a Glance
Prices change by date and room type, so check your own dates on Booking.com before you decide.
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Hotel NantipaCentral Santa Teresa, beachfront, Santa Teresa · SplurgeBeachfront luxuryCheck prices -
Hotel Trópico LatinoSouth Santa Teresa, beachfront, Santa Teresa · Mid-rangeMid-range beachfrontCheck prices -
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Nautilus Surf & Yoga VillasCentral Santa Teresa, Santa Teresa · Mid-rangeSelf-catering familiesCheck prices
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Ylang Ylang Beach ResortNorth of Montezuma village, beachfront, Montezuma · SplurgeBeachfront couplesCheck prices -
-
Hotel Amor de MarMontezuma, by the waterfall trail, Montezuma · BudgetValue close to natureCheck prices -
| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Hotel Nantipa
Beachfront boutique
|
Central Santa Teresa, beachfront, Santa Teresa | Splurge | Beachfront luxury | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Trópico Latino
Beachfront bungalows
|
South Santa Teresa, beachfront, Santa Teresa | Mid-range | Mid-range beachfront | Check prices |
|
|
Ocio Villas Mal País
Villas with plunge pools
|
Mal País hillside, Santa Teresa | Splurge | Honeymoons | Check prices |
|
|
Nautilus Surf & Yoga Villas
Villas with kitchens
|
Central Santa Teresa, Santa Teresa | Mid-range | Self-catering families | Check prices |
|
|
Ylang Ylang Beach Resort
Beach resort
|
North of Montezuma village, beachfront, Montezuma | Splurge | Beachfront couples | Check prices |
|
|
El Sano Banano
Village hotel
|
Montezuma village, Montezuma | Mid-range | Staying in the village | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Amor de Mar
Garden hotel
|
Montezuma, by the waterfall trail, Montezuma | Budget | Value close to nature | Check prices |
|
|
Luz en el Cielo Eco-B&B
Eco B&B and hostel
|
Hillside above Montezuma, Montezuma | Budget | Budget travelers | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 5, 2026.
Getting to Santa Teresa
- From San José by car and ferry: about 1.5 to 2 hours to Puntarenas, about 70 minutes on the ferry to Paquera, then about 1 to 1.5 hours to Santa Teresa. Allow 5 to 6 hours in total, including waiting for the boat. Ferries run roughly every two to three hours from early morning to late evening; check the current timetable before you go.
- From Liberia airport (LIR): 4 to 5 hours by road via Nicoya, on paved but very curvy roads; the last few kilometers into Santa Teresa are dirt.
- By air: domestic flights from San José land at the Cóbano airstrip, which replaced Tambor in 2023 and is about 20 to 30 minutes from Santa Teresa.
- From Jacó: a boat transfer crosses the Gulf of Nicoya to Montezuma in about an hour, weather permitting.
When to Go
The dry season, from mid-December to April, brings the best weather but very dusty roads and peak prices. The rainy season is quieter and greener, with good surf; from September to November some restaurants and hotels close, and the unpaved roads get muddy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.