What to do in Santa Teresa: surf, eat, sunsets, nightlife, waterfalls, Cabo Blanco, yoga, and the days that are not the beach.
Santa Teresa is a surf town that also eats well, watches the sun drop every evening, and has a handful of real nights out. If you searched "what to do in Santa Teresa" or "things to do in Santa Teresa," this is the full list. The version that skips surf on purpose is things to do beyond surfing.
Surf
The reason most people come. Carmen is the teaching beach. Santa Teresa town is a step up. Hermosa and Mal País get heavier. Check the surf guide, where to surf, and today's forecast before you paddle. Rent a board, take a lesson, or just swim if the rip looks mean.
Eat
This stretch punches above its size: casados, ceviche, pizza, sushi, a few rooms worth dressing for. Start with best restaurants and cheap eats. Brunch and coffee have their own pages if that is your morning.
Watch the sunset
Every night, the whole town drifts toward the water around 5pm. Rocamar for the swing, Banana Beach for the deck, Nantipa if you want a calmer glass. Sunset spots. It is not a tourist gimmick here. It is the clock.
Go out
There is a weekly rhythm. Monday at Banana Beach. Tuesday Deep Tuesdays at Ranchos. Thursday market then La Lora. Friday and Saturday at Drift. Sunday is dinner. The nightlife calendar is the map. Saturday night and Thursday night if you are planning a specific evening. Events for this week.
Thursday market
Food stalls, the town in one place, then music. Not a shopping trip. Thursday market.
Day trips
Montezuma waterfalls (leave early). Cabo Blanco reserve (go the long way through Cóbano). Island snorkeling when the water is clear. ATV if you want the dirt roads. Horseback on the beach at a walk, not a gallop in the shorebreak. Those are unpacked in the beyond surfing guide, plus ATV tours, horseback, snorkeling, and hiking Cabo Blanco.
Yoga and wellness
Shalas, massages, the occasional cacao night. Best yoga studios, massages, breathwork and cacao.
Do nothing on purpose
A lot of the point is a hammock, a book, and the sound of the road in the afternoon. If your itinerary is full from 6am to midnight, you will miss the town.
How many days
Three days: surf, one day trip, one Saturday or Thursday night. A week: add Cabo Blanco, a proper restaurant night, and a Monday Banana Beach. First time and itineraries if you want it scheduled.
FAQ
What is there to do in Santa Teresa besides surf? Eat, watch the sunset, Thursday market, waterfalls, Cabo Blanco, yoga, a handful of real nights out. The longer version is beyond surfing.
What should I do at night? Sunset, dinner, then the night that matches the weekday. Nightlife.
Is it a party town? Some nights. Saturday, full moons, Monday at Banana Beach. It is not a 2am strip. Best parties.
What if it rains? Restaurants, yoga, a book, a shorter surf session. Rainy season.
