When you visit Santa Teresa, it’s easy to assume that the beach is all you need or all you can do. I definitely feel that way having been to many tropical and beachy locations around the world. Whenever you are at a destination, look at the map and do some research on your surrounding areas.
Some of the best day trips from Santa Teresa are not very popular or spoken about online a lot. There are dirt roads, quiet fishing villages, waterfalls and island exploration. Don’t rush these Santa Teresa day trips. You should start early and accept that it takes time, usually a full day.
Before finalizing your trip here, a good place to start is by visiting my Santa Teresa travel guide. It’ll help you find places to eat, things to do and places to stay in Santa Teresa.
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Santa Teresa Day Trips
Santa Teresa is one long dirt road with places to stay and shops on either side of the road. The most common way people get around is by either ATV, dirt bike or trucks. I recommend renting an ATV or a truck because if you use a dirt bike you will be covered in mud every single day if you find yourself behind a truck or an ATV. The cost to rent an ATV is $50 USD a day in Santa Teresa. If you are with a group of people and want to make your Santa Teresa day trips easier, rent a truck. This way everyone can be together and it just makes logistics easier.
Below are the best day trips from Santa Teresa Costa Rica.
Montezuma and Montezuma Waterfalls
Distance: 15 km
Travel time: 30–40 minutes
Best reached by: Car, ATVs
One of the most popular and easiest trips from Santa Teresa is to Montezuma. Montezuma is a very small beach town that gives a hippie vibe to it. There are many tourists here usually. Beach bars line the streets and are very colorful. Most people hang out outside rather than inside. You can just park your vehicle once and walk everywhere.
The main reason people visit here is for Montezuma Waterfalls. If you start near the town it’s only a 15 minute walk. The trail is rocky and slippery when wet. As with a typical waterfall, you will hear it before you see it. The first pool is wide and deep. People swim here and jump from the rocks. If you feel confident and the rocks are dry, you can climb to the upper falls. The second and third tiers are less crowded. The top waterfall has a high jump spot, although I’ll double check first before I jump.
After the hike, walk through the Montezuma town. There are small cafés, restaurants and a beach. It makes for one of the best day trips from Santa Teresa if you want to mix some adventure with chill vibes. Some of the best restaurants to eat at in Montezuma are Ylang Ylang restaurant, IMAGO gastro Pub, Ubin and Bejuko Sushi Bar. Also, try some of the smaller sodas, everything will be much cheaper.
Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve
Distance: 20 km
Travel time: 45–60 minutes
Best reached by: Car, Truck or ATV
You can reach here pretty easily by just cutting straight across the Mal Pais to Cabuya road. Everyone knows Costa Rica is all about wildlife and nature and that’s why I love it so much. If you want forest and wildlife and you’re in Santa Teresa, you have to go to Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve.
As is any road leading out of Santa Teresa, the road is muddy and slow. There are two main trails. The shorter loop takes about 2 hours. The longer trail to the beach takes 4 to 5 hours round trip. I always recommend starting any day trip very early. If you can leave Santa Teresa as soon as sun comes out that’s perfect. The park closes in the afternoon and they control entry times. Last time I checked the Park is closed on Mondays always.
You can see Howler monkeys literally at any time. There are also white faced capuchins jumping from tree to tree. You might also spot coatis and tropical birds. Make sure to bring water because it’s basically a long trek through miles of forest. It can get really hot as the sun rises and it gets more humid.
The beach at the end of the long trail is not really swimmable. The water is extremely rough and it’s basically just rocks instead of sand like a regular beach. Most people just eat a snack on the beach and head back.
There are guided tours you can take from Santa Teresa and also security guards at the park. This is one of the best day trips from Santa Teresa for people who want primary forest and fewer crowds.
Isla Tortuga
Travel time: 45–90 minutes by boat
Best reached by: Organized boat tour
Tortuga Island feels like a Caribbean island almost. There’s clear blue water and white sand, which is pretty rare for Costa Rica actually. You will have to do this activity through a tour operator from Santa Teresa, as you’ll need a boat to get there.
This Santa Teresa day trip is very structured and easy. You go with a captain and crew. The ride can be rough if the sea is choppy, so sit toward the back if you get seasick. You can either book a more party and fun tour with lots of people or book a snorkeling specific tour where they provide you with all the gear and show you the best spots for snorkeling.
If you get lucky you can see humpback whales, dolphins and turtles before even getting to the island. You can feed monkeys fruits. Once you get there, you’ll have a fun time for hours. Pigs, deer and iguanas are all over the island wandering freely. A lot of people complain that there isn’t that much marine life to see while snorkeling, but I think they just come at the wrong time.
One of the most exquisite experiences you can have here is a Tortuga Island Sunset and Bioluminescence Tour from Santa Teresa. You start at sunset and drift into the night where you get to see marine life move in the Bioluminescent water.
If you go during peak tourist season you will most likely share the island with other groups and tours. If you want a beach that looks different from Santa Teresa’s surf-heavy coastline, this is one of the best day trips from Santa Teresa to consider.
Tambor and Panica Waterfall
Distance: 35 km
Travel time: 1.5 hours
Best reached by: Car
You’ll take the Ruta Nacional Secundaria 160 road from Santa Teresa to Tambor. The drive here will take you across the peninsula. The road cuts through farms and small villages and you might get to see how people live here a little bit.
Tambor has a long calm beach and the bay protects it from strong waves. This makes it really nice for swimming. Because of this there are a lot of resorts in Tambor set up here you can also stay at. You’ll also see much less people than Santa Teresa for sure.
There are a lot of tours you can take from Tambor itself. One of the best things to do at Tambor is experience a bioluminescence tour along a quiet stretch of coast called Playa Los Vivos.
This small white sand beach is located on the north side of Tambor and is quieter than the busy surf towns on the peninsula. During the day, the water here is calm and clear, which makes it a pleasant place to swim or sit on the sand and watch the sunset over the gulf. There are only a few small boats and fishing activity in the distance.
The real highlight begins after dark. As night falls, tiny organisms in the water begin to glow when disturbed. When you move your hands through the sea, flashes of blue light appear around you. Every fish that swims by will leave a large outline of blue glow in its shape that spreads across the surface. If you put your head under the water with a mask, you can see streaks of glowing particles drifting through the bay.
Nearby you can visit Catarata Panica. This waterfall sits on private land, and there is a small entrance fee. The walk down is short but steep. The pool is clear and deep enough for a swim.
Another activity to add to this Santa Teresa day trip is a visit to the Curu wildlife sanctuary. A tour operator will take you to the stunning beachfront Curu National Park where you’ll go hiking through the park on the lookout for different wildlife. Expect to see white faced and howler monkeys, iguanas, white tail deer, white-nosed coati, and other cool animals.
The tour will include boat transportation from Tambor Beach, a tour guide and park entry, water, juice, fruit and a Costa Rican Casado lunch. It will take approximately 8 hours for the entire thing. You can do all these activities with Tambor Tropical Tours & Activities.
Paquera and the Bioluminescence Tour
Distance: 45 km
Travel time: 1.5–2 hours
Best reached by: Car + night tour
When you take the ferry to come to Santa Teresa it ports at Paquera. But, there are a lot more things to do here than just transit. This town does not get a lot of visitors staying here. Most just proceed to the other more popular beach towns like Santa Teresa or Montezuma.
Head here if you are willing to drive at night. The main reason to come is a bioluminescence kayak tour in the gulf. On dark nights, the water glows when disturbed. When your paddle hits the water, it lights up bright blue. Fish leave bright trails under the surface.
Tours leave after sunset. You must book in advance with a licensed operator. Guides provide kayaks and safety gear as per usual. They also check moon phase and tide conditions. The glow is strongest on nights with little moonlight.
Be careful when driving back to Santa Teresa at night. Roads are unlit and sometimes rough. Still, this is one of the most unique Santa Teresa day trips if you want something different from beaches and waterfalls.
Mal País Tide Pools
Distance: 5–10 km
Travel time: 15–20 minutes
Best reached by: Car or ATV
The actual Mal Pais village is a slow and sleepy place with not much to do. People who are in Mal Pais usually visit Santa Teresa to look for a good time. But, not all day trips from Santa Teresa require a long dirty drive. Head south toward Mal País during low tide.
Here the volcanic rock from tide pools. Check tide charts before you go. At high tide, waves crash over the rocks and it is not safe to walk out.
At low tide, the water recedes closer to the ocean and leaves these holes on the rocks that have fish and warm water. It gets warm because it’s just left over water that’s exposed to the hot sun for hours. The rock surface is sharp. Wear sandals with thick soles.
This is a simple trip, but it gives you a different view of the coastline. It is one of the easiest Santa Teresa Day trips and works well for something to do on your last afternoon when you do not want to commit that many hours to doing something fun.
