Real estate in Santa Teresa: surf, yoga and boutique living on the Nicoya Peninsula

Santa Teresa is a small surf town on the southern tip of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula. A long wild beach, consistent waves, jungle-covered hills and a strip of cafés, restaurants and boutique hotels make real estate in Santa Teresa highly sought-after for second homes, lifestyle relocations and investment properties.

Lifestyle: laid-back, stylish and international

Santa Teresa combines a relaxed beach vibe with a surprisingly sophisticated scene:

Long sandy surf beaches with world-class sunsets
Healthy, international food scene with cafés and restaurants along the main road
Yoga studios, surf schools and wellness retreats
A strong international community of surfers, entrepreneurs and digital nomads

Owning real estate in Santa Teresa means living (or spending part of the year) in a place where you can walk barefoot to the beach and structure your day around tides and sunsets.

Climate, nature and surroundings

Set within the Nicoya Blue Zone, Santa Teresa offers:

A tropical climate with a sunny dry season and lush green season
Wild beaches, tide pools and rocky points to explore
Easy access to Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve and other natural attractions

For buyers who value nature, wellbeing and outdoor living, real estate in Santa Teresa is a natural fit.

Access and connectivity

Santa Teresa feels remote but is reachable via:

International flights into San José or Liberia
Domestic flights to Cobano or ground shuttles plus a ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya
The final stretch by 4x4 or shuttle along the coastal road

The journey keeps the town intimate and upmarket – an advantage if you own a holiday home in Santa Teresa or a rental-focused property.

The property market in Santa Teresa

Property types

The market for real estate in Santa Teresa is highly lifestyle-driven:

Ocean-view villas in the hills above the beach
Jungle villas and pool homes within walking distance of the sea
Small-scale condo projects and apartments
Boutique hotels, B&Bs and villa resorts focused on surf and wellness
Buildable lots (often with sea view) for custom projects

Architecture tends to emphasise views, cross-ventilation, privacy and integration with the jungle.

Prices and demand

Limited land close to the beach, combined with strong international demand, makes Santa Teresa one of the more expensive locations on the Nicoya Peninsula. For investors, this often translates into:

Solid long-term value hold
Strong interest for design-led, well-located properties
Competitive nightly rates in the premium rental segment

Real estate in Santa Teresa for investors

If you are looking to invest in real estate, Santa Teresa offers:

Multiple rental segments: classic holidaymakers, surf travellers, yoga retreats, wellness groups, remote workers and long-stay guests.
Premium nightly rates for villas with pools, sea views or direct beach access.
The possibility to run a boutique hotel, retreat centre or villa compound geared towards high-value experiential tourism.
A market that benefits from Costa Rica’s strong eco- and wellness brand image.

This makes real estate in Santa Teresa an interesting addition to a diversified international property portfolio.

Second home or full-time living?

Second home / holiday home

A second home in Santa Teresa is ideal if you:

Want a personal base for regular surf and sunshine trips
Like the idea of combining personal use with short-term rentals
Prefer an intimate, design-forward beach town over large resort areas

Relocating to Santa Teresa

For longer stays or full relocation, real estate in Santa Teresa offers:

A safe, small-scale community with year-round life
Essential services locally and further options in nearby towns
A daily rhythm that blends remote work with surf, yoga and outdoor living

Why choose real estate in Santa Teresa?

In short, real estate in Santa Teresa combines:

A renowned surf and yoga destination in a Blue Zone environment
High lifestyle value plus strong rental demand
Limited supply close to the beach, supporting long-term value
Concrete opportunities for second homes, primary residences and boutique hospitality projects

If you’re dreaming of an ocean-view villa, a jungle hideaway or a small retreat project, Santa Teresa is one of the standout spots on the Nicoya Peninsula to explore.