Tucked along Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa and Nosara often get mentioned in the same breath.

Both remote, stylish surf destinations are loved by travelers seeking nature, movement, surf, and intentional living. But even within their similarities, each town offers a distinct personality. This guide isn’t about choosing one over the other—it’s about understanding what makes each special and how they might fit into your Costa Rica experience.

Whether you’re eyeing a wellness retreat, planning a remote-work getaway, or simply craving surf, sun, and sophistication, here’s how these two beloved towns compare—and why we recommend experiencing both.

When It Comes to Wellness & Yoga
Both towns offer exceptional quality in wellness—think yoga, breathwork, movement practices, and restorative experiences. Nosara has long been considered Costa Rica’s center for holistic wellness, the kind of place where wellness culture took root before anything else. Classes, retreats, and instructors here have a deep-rooted reputation that draws people from around the world.

Santa Teresa now matches that level of quality, with its own growing roster of studios and instructors offering diverse practices. Though newer, the wellness scene here has developed with care and intention. Both towns offer transformative experiences—just in slightly different flavors.

When It Comes to Surf Culture
Surf is part of the DNA in Santa Teresa and Nosara. The surf culture in both towns is woven into daily life, with surfer hitting the water at sunrise and again before sunset. In Santa Teresa, breaks like La Lora, Playa Carmen, and Suck Rock offer a variety of conditions—from mellow whitewater to steeper reef waves—all within easy reach. When you want a mellow surf session in Santa Teresa, we recommend Playa Hermosa.

Nosara centers around Playa Guiones, a wide, sandy beach known for its long rides and consistent swell—ideal for both learning and leveling up. Guiones often feels more beginner-friendly and open, while still offering fun waves for advanced surfers, and Santa Teresa gives quick access to more challenging breaks along a buzzing stretch of coast.

When It Comes to Nature & Layout
Santa Teresa runs along a single coastal road, giving the town a linear layout and a beach-meets-jungle feel that’s easy to navigate. Nosara, by contrast, is made up of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own vibe. Playa Guiones sits within the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, free from beachfront development, which gives the area a particularly lush, open feel. Both are walkable and easy to navigate with the complimentary bicycles at Sendero Hotel and Fermata Hotel

In Santa Teresa, nature adventures abound. You can take a quick trip to Montezuma’s waterfalls or visit Cabo Blanco, Costa Rica’s first national park (read more in our blog).

In Nosara, nature is equally stunning, though the scenery is drier during our dry season and to get to some waterfalls and experiences you will go up into the mountains. Explore Pilas Blancas waterfall, kayak through serene mangrove forests, or opt for cultural experiences like a local coffee tour.

When It Comes to Design & Hotels
Refinement lives in both towns, and boutique hotels are most common. Our hotel Fermata, in Santa Teresa, is defined by an intentional aesthetic—modern lines, natural materials, and a design that honors its surroundings. It’s a thoughtfully elegant retreat that blends style with ease.

In Nosara, the hotel scene leans more residential and relaxed. Sendero Hotel captures that energy with design rooted in traditional Costa Rican architecture—arched doorways, earthy tones, and naturally stained wood—while embracing the comforts of contemporary luxury.

When It Comes to Food & Drink
Santa Teresa has long led the region with its elevated food culture: inventive menus, cocktail creativity, and upscale dining options in a remote setting.

Nosara’s food scene has grown steadily in recent years, now offering chef-led restaurants, wellness cafés, and fresh, nourishing menus. Today, both towns deliver high-quality culinary experiences that celebrate local ingredients without losing authenticity.

When It Comes to Getting There
Both destinations are remote, yet still accessible, and that’s part of the charm.

Nosara: About 2½ hours by car from Liberia or around 6 hours from San José by road. You can also fly into Nosara via domestic airlines.

Santa Teresa: About 5–6 hours from San José, often including a scenic ferry ride. From Liberia, it’s roughly 3½ to 4 hours by car, depending on route and road conditions.

Traveling between the two? Driving takes about 3½ to 4 hours, or you can take a boat and arrive in just a couple of hours.

When It Comes to Evening Energy
Neither town is a party spot—but Santa Teresa has more buzz after dark. Think beachside gatherings, live music, creative cocktails, and dancing under the stars. It’s the kind of place where you can ask around and find out where the vibe is.

Nosara, on the other hand, winds down gently. Evenings are quieter, more reflective—perfect for shared dinners, relaxed conversation, and starry skies.

So… Which One’s For You?
Honestly? Both. If your travels allow, spend time in each. They share values—surf, design, wellness, and nature—but deliver different energies.

Santa Teresa offers vibrant variety, ocean rhythm, and lively nights. Nosara brings rooted calm, rich wellness, and a deeper sense of stillness. Together, they showcase the richness of Costa Rica—where you can live slowly, intentionally, and with joy.

Ready to explore both sides of the peninsula?
Book your stay at Fermata Hotel in Santa Teresa and Sendero Hotel in Nosara and experience the best of both worlds.