Journal
Field notes from
the peninsula.
Local reporting, practical briefings and stories from Santa Teresa and beyond. Every headline below comes from our published feed.
Latest dispatches
30 published stories- Guides
Santa Teresa eSIM and SIM Cards on Arrival
For most Santa Teresa trips, an eSIM is the cleanest answer: install it before you fly, keep your home number active, and arrive already connected. Buy a physical Costa Rican SIM only when you need a local number for calls, drivers, or a longer stay.
GuidesSanta Teresa Pharmacies and Clinics: Where to Go
Public, verifiable pharmacy and clinic details for Santa Teresa are thin, and search results often mix in Wichita listings. This guide shows what to ignore and how to confirm care locally on the day.
GuidesSanta Teresa Grocery Stores and Markets: What to Expect
Santa Teresa works best for daily top-ups, while Cóbano is the smarter larger shop. Mini markets cover water, eggs, bread, coffee, beer, and fruit.
GuidesSanta Teresa Bakery: Which Spots Are Worth the Stop
Choose the right Santa Teresa bakery for breakfast, bread, gluten-free baking, or coffee without crossing town. This guide tells you when The Bakery is worth the wait and when a simpler stop is smarter.
GuidesLiberia or San José for Santa Teresa: Which Airport?
SJO usually gives Santa Teresa travelers more flexibility, even if LIR is closer on the map. The real call depends on timing, shuttle access, ferry risk, and whether you’re ready for rougher peninsula roads.
GuidesCan You Fly From Liberia to Santa Teresa in 2026?
You can fly from Liberia toward Santa Teresa, but not land there. The real question is whether a short hop to Cobano or Tambor beats the road once transfer time is included.
ComparisonsMontezuma Restaurants Worth It in 2026
For a short stay, Montezuma rewards selective diners. Start with Playa de los Artistas, Clandestina, and Cocolores, then choose by the meal you want.
GuidesThings to Do in Santa Teresa 2026: By Area and Season
Plan Santa Teresa by area, not by a generic top-15 list. This field guide separates the beach strip, Mal País, and day trips so you can choose fast.
GuidesHow Do You Get From Tambor Airport to Santa Teresa?
The cleanest way from Tambor Airport to Santa Teresa is a pre-booked shuttle or taxi straight to your lodging. Expect a short road transfer, not a ferry.
GuidesSanta Teresa Laundry, Showers, and Coworking Backup Plans
If you are between check-out and check-in, lock a work spot first, then sort laundry and a shower. In Santa Teresa, backup planning matters more than the photos.
GuidesSanta Teresa Weather in 2026: Rain, Heat, and Dust
Plan Santa Teresa weather in three layers: the monthly average, the live forecast, and 2026 dust or rainfall anomalies. Use mornings for surf, transfers, and anything time-sensitive.
ComparisonsWhere to Stay in Santa Teresa for Walkability vs Quiet
Santa Teresa is walkable in pockets, not as one compact town. This guide shows when Playa Carmen, Playa Santa Teresa, North Santa Teresa, Mal Pais, or Playa Hermosa makes the most sense.
GuidesWhat to Do in Santa Teresa When the Surf Is Bad: 11 Solid Options
Rainy days in Santa Teresa are still workable if you sort them by shower, swell, and travel time. Use the right fallback, from yoga to reserve hikes to Montezuma.
GuidesHow to Get From Liberia to Santa Teresa: Flight, Shuttle, or Drive
A plain-English breakdown of the Liberia to Santa Teresa trip, with realistic time ranges, costs, and when each option actually makes sense. Includes shuttle, drive, flight, and bus tradeoffs.
ComparisonsWhere to Stay in Santa Teresa for Surf Access, Not Vibes
Pick your Santa Teresa base by surf access, not hotel photos. Playa Carmen, La Lora, Playa Hermosa, and Mal País each fit a different kind of session.
GuidesSanta Teresa Nightlife: Where to Go Out Without Regretting It
Santa Teresa nightlife is built around sunset, dinner, and a short late-night window. Use the right venue for the night you want instead of hunting the beach road.
GuidesWhat Is Mal Pais Like to Stay In? Quieter, Darker, Closer
Mal Pais trades convenience for calm: fewer services, less night activity, and a spread-out base that works best if you’re fine driving north for errands. Compare it with Santa Teresa before you book.
GuidesWhere to Work in Santa Teresa: Wi-Fi, Noise, and Backup
Choose between coworking, cafés, or your rental based on call load, noise, and outage risk. Santa Teresa work spots only make sense when the Wi-Fi and backup plan match the job.
How-toHow to Get From San Jose to Montezuma: Ferry, Flight, or Drive
Five routes connect San José to Montezuma, but the real decision is cost versus same-day friction. This guide compares flight, bus and ferry, shuttles, private transfer, and driving.
GuidesWhere to Eat in Montezuma: Breakfast, Dinner, or a Quick Stop
Pick by meal, not by rank: breakfast at Ylang Ylang or Soda Típica las Palmeras, dinner at Cocolores, and quick stops for coffee, gelato, pizza, or beer. It also flags which hours to verify first.
GuidesWhat to Pack for Santa Teresa: Dust, Rain, and Roads
Pack for Santa Teresa like a surf town, not a cloud-forest escape. The right mix is light clothing, washable footwear, sun protection, and rain gear that matches the season.
GuidesBeginner Surf in Santa Teresa: Best Breaks by Conditions
Playa Carmen is the clearest first-timer call, Playa Hermosa is the quieter backup, and Playa Santa Teresa only makes sense when conditions are forgiving. Use the day, not the hype, to choose the break.
GuidesSanta Teresa Yoga Retreats vs Drop-In Classes: Who Each Fits
See how Santa Teresa business directory pricing works for hotels, restaurants, and local services. The guide covers listing options and enhanced placements.
GuidesSanta Teresa Rainy Season: What Still Works, What Doesn't
Santa Teresa rainy season is workable if you value morning surf, fewer crowds, and lower rates over guaranteed dry afternoons. The tradeoff is transport and timing, not a lost trip.
How-toSanta Teresa Airport Transfers: What Actually Works
Compare Santa Teresa airport transfer options by price, timing, and ferry logistics. See when a private car, shared shuttle, or bus actually makes sense.
GuidesDo You Need a Car in Santa Teresa? The Honest Tradeoffs
A central Santa Teresa stay can work without a rental, but the answer changes fast once you add hills, surfboards, rain, or trips to Montezuma and Mal País. Use lodging location first, then decide on a car.
GuidesSanta Teresa Surf Lessons: When to Book a School vs a Coach
Choose the lesson format that fits your trip, not the slickest website. This guide compares private coaching, 3:1 groups, camps, prices, and beach fit in Santa Teresa.
GuidesMontezuma Waterfall From Santa Teresa: Go or Skip It?
Go if you want a freshwater swim and a short scramble; skip it if you expect a manicured jungle showpiece or hate crowds and slick rock. The lower falls are the main draw for Santa Teresa visitors.
ComparisonsSanta Teresa vs Mal Pais for Surf Stays: What Changes
Santa Teresa is the easier surf base; Mal País is the quieter one. This guide breaks down the map, the 5-minute tradeoff, and what daily life changes.
GuidesHow to Get Around Santa Teresa Without Wasting Half a Day
Santa Teresa transport is mostly a lodging-location decision. Stay near Playa Carmen or central Santa Teresa and you can walk most places; farther out, plan on taxis, an ATV, or a 4x4.