Santa Teresa
Bohemian surf village with celebrity cachet and the best waves in Costa Rica
Condos from
$300K–$1.2M
Yield
10–15%
To airport
3.5 hr (ferry or via Caldera)
About Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa is the wildcard of Costa Rica beach towns — a gloriously raw surf village on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula that has attracted a global creative elite without losing its edge. Unpaved main road, world-class surf, international restaurants carved out of the jungle, and a revolving door of celebrities and wellness influencers. Properties here command Nosara-level premiums. It's further from Liberia than any other town on this list, but buyers who make the journey rarely leave.
Best for
Pros
- ✓Best surf in Costa Rica
- ✓Highest nightly rates of any town on this list
- ✓International creative community
- ✓No mass tourism feel
Cons
- ✗Furthest from Liberia airport (3.5 hr)
- ✗No ATM reliability, limited services
- ✗Difficult access during rainy season
- ✗Premium prices for raw infrastructure
Key Stats — Santa Teresa
- Climate
- More rainfall than northern Guanacaste, lush green year-round
- Temperature
- 82°F
- Condo prices
- $300K–$1.2M
- Villa prices
- $700K–$5M
- Rental yield
- 10–15%
- Airbnb occupancy
- 75% annual, 92% high season
- Nightly rate
- $285 avg, $420 high season
- Expat community
- International — 1,200+ expats from 40+ countries
- Nearest hospital
- Cobano clinic (15 min) + Liberia (3.5 hr)
- Drive to LIR/SJO
- 3.5 hr (ferry or via Caldera)
FAQ — Santa Teresa
Is Santa Teresa really that far from Liberia?
Yes — 3.5 hours is typical, either via ferry from Puntarenas or the longer inland route. Many buyers use Tambor airport (small aircraft) to cut travel time significantly.
How does Santa Teresa compare to Nosara?
Both are premium, intentional communities with high rental yields. Santa Teresa is rawer and more surf-focused; Nosara is more polished and wellness-focused. Santa Teresa prices and yields edge slightly higher.
Is Santa Teresa safe?
Generally yes for a remote surf village. The tight expat community looks out for each other. Standard precautions apply — secure your home and don't leave valuables visible.