A Vacation Insiders Travel Guide to Costa Rica's Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa Costa Rica A Vacation Insiders Guide

c Photo by KHaufle

THOUGHTS FROM THE EDITOR

TO TRAVEL IS TO LIVE...

Many of us have traveled and experienced life away from everything that feels familiar. But few of us can claim to have seen as much of this world as Joe Gatto, our latest insider.

Tokyo to Rome to Rio. Spanish teaching and cultural journalism in Venezuela. A massage therapist by day and DJ by night in Maui. All this from a kid who grew up in Ohio!

And all this matters because? As Hans Christian Anderson said "To travel is to live". You want your vacation insider, someone like Joe, to have lived, to know what makes an experience special.

From the simple pleasures like swimming in the ocean or watching the most incredible sunsets, Joe will guide you to the best spots. He'll point you to the meanest surfing swells, he'll introduce you to his Swedish kayaking buddies, advise you on the hottest restaurants, and have you drinking in the coolest bars.

And what better place to experience all of this than The Jungle House, a 7 bedroom vacation rental which Joe manages. It's in the heart of town, and you can hear the Pacific Ocean crashing at the back of the property. Best of all it comes with those all important little touches like arranging delivery of fresh fish straight to you!

This is the perfect base for a larger group. Perhaps a family adventure, or a group of friends looking for a fun mix of surfing, healthy pura vida lifestyle, and maybe a little partying! And, if he's booked, Joe has a few great alternative options, whichever of those camps you're in!

E: andy@vacationinsiders.com W: www.vacationinsiders.com

MEET YOUR INSIDER

JOE GATTO I love to travel, have visitors, and meet cool people from around the world. My favorite travel destinations are tropical ones with beautiful beaches, and mountains to hike around in. To me there is nothing better than swimming in the ocean, running on the beach, and eating fresh fish & fruit.

I also like to visit big cities. In the U.S., my favorite ones are New York & San Francisco.

I've been to Tokyo, Bangkok, Paris, Rome, and Rio de Janeiro. There are still a lot more mega cities on the list, like Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Barcelona, Madrid, Milano, Berlin, and Shanghai.

I grew up in Columbus, Ohio and moved to Miami after college. Living there made me want to learn Spanish well. So I moved to Caracas, Venezuela in an exchange program at Centro Venezolano Americano. I taught English & learned Spanish in the school, and made many wonderful friends.

Contact Joe:

“To me there is nothing better than swimming in the ocean, running on the beach, and eating fresh fish & fruit.�

Joe's Reviews:

Then I worked as a journalist at The Daily Journal, the English language newspaper of Venezuela. That was a great experience because I was the cultural reporter and wrote about the arts, theater, music, and dance scenes in Caracas. I also got to meet and interview most of the ambassadors stationed there, and write reports about their countries, and the activities of their embassies in Venezuela. I ended up living there for three years and having a fabulous time.

Then I moved to Maui to go to massage school and stayed five and a half years having a good time. I worked as a massage therapist at a hotel on the beach and was a DJ at night. I'm really into funky music from across the globe. I got to DJ for many wonderful weddings in gorgeous Hawaiian settings. I also held down a great Friday night party at Jacques' in Paia for four years. That was a blast, and I got to meet cool music lovers from all over the world.

I'm now managing The Jungle House for my friend in Maui that owns it. My motto is explore the world, follow what fascinates you, and invite others in to share what you've learned.

I'm Joe Gatto, estoy a la orden...

Take the Jungle House Video TOUR!

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JOE'S REAL SANTA TERESA...

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, at the southwestern corner of the Nicoya Peninsula, is one of Costa Rica’s remaining off-the-beaten path cool spots. The Lonely Planet says “it has become one of Costa Rica’s most life affirming destinations. Here, the sea is alive with wildlife and is almost perfect when it comes to shape, color and temperature.”.

various surf schools with excellent, patient instructors to get them up and having fun before their Costa Rica surf vacation is over.

Surfing is not the only activity in the Santa Teresa/Mal País area. The fishing is outstanding! The fisherman can also take you snorkeling.

The exciting canopy tour along ziplines at the edge of Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve gives you a beautiful bird’s eye view of the area’s splendor.

Yoga in Santa Teresa is a popular activity, and there are many excellent teachers and various classes to try out.

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is a booming water sport that you can learn in Santa Teresa as well.

A funky, laid-back surfer town, full of expats from the U.S., Canada, Israel, Argentina, and across Europe; it was just a sleepy fishing village with 200 natives as far back as 1990. People from around the world have seen its beauty and potential, and relocated here to start businesses & families, and create a unique community.

Kayak fishing in Mal País harbor or cruising up the Río Bongo to see all kinds of wildlife is one of the funnest things you can do around Santa Teresa.

You’ll find lots of great restaurants blending the freshest local ingredients and cuisine with European and international gastronomic tendencies. There are fun beach bars & great restaurants, as well as popular parties during the high season.

There are many interesting places to discover, and new things to try.

ATVs are the primary means of transportation for most residents, and rentals and extreme tours are readily available.

Horseback riding along the beach and through the hills is a mellow activity that gives you a distinct perspective on things.

And of course, just hanging out at the beach with friends, meeting new people, and drinking beers in the shade is an all-time favorite.

Most people come here for surfing. Santa Teresa, Costa Rica boasts some of the world’s most consistent waves, and it doesn’t get too crowded out on the water either.

Experts have several great surf spots around Santa Teresa to choose from and beginners can count on

This guide will give you an overview of the best restaurants, bars, and activities, as well as some local knowledge to point you in the right direction so that you have an unforgettably wonderful experience in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica and want to keep coming back.

5 EXPERIENCES YOU CANNOT MISS...

1

Surfing...

2

Do The Canopy Zipline Tour...

3

Experience Santa Teresa Kayak Adventures...

4

Go Deep Sea Fishing...

5

Go See Sunset With Friends & Family...

Located on the southern tip of the Nicoya peninsula, this area of Costa Rica benefits from both the frequent south swells that hit the coast during the wet season, as well as the north swells and offshore “Papagayo” winds during the dry season. Water and air temperatures are warm year round. Not only are the waves great, but the tropical scenery must be seen to be believed. Magnificent sunsets are an added benefit as you close out your evening session.

The Canopy Zipline Tour will surely be a memorable experience! You’ll be zipping amongst the tall trees overlooking Cabo Blanco Preserve and the Pacific Ocean beyond the tip of Nicoya Peninsula. It’s totally safe, fun, and exhilarating. See monkeys, birds, and laugh with your friends and family as you share an unforgettable experience.

The Santa Teresa Kayak Adventures are a very cool, unique experience.

My Swedish buddies will take you up the Río Bongo or kayak fishing with them in Malpais. The Río Bongo trip is longer, and easier paddling. You’ll see lots of wildlife, and get up into a remote area you wouldn’t otherwise be able to explore. The fishing trip is really fun, and your guide will do most of the paddling so you can do the casting and catch your dinner.

Deep Sea Fishing is popular all over Costa Rica for good reason. Since Santa Teresa isn't a famous fishing destination, it seems to be a little cheaper here. And the fishing here is outstanding! So far all of my guests have caught something. Usually they catch a lot, and eat like kings for a few days!

Imagine walking into a surrealist painting. You pass through a tunnel of trees, and an unusual hued twilight seeps through the foliage and embraces you. Howler monkeys are howling, and cicadas are chirping.

You get to the end and the sky is burning with pink, orange, and purple.

The waves are rolling up the sand. Lots of people are sitting at the beach with their friends & family watching the last bits of the sun sink into the ocean. People are laughing, playing in the water, surfing, drinking Pilsen, and enjoying life. A Santa Teresa sunset is an unforgettable experience and makes for a perfect Costa Rica vacation.

JOE'S HOTTEST RESTAURANTS...

1 2 3

Pronto Italian Street Food...

Giuseppe & Kamila at Pronto make outstanding authentic Italian dishes from scratch every day. A large variety of items, everything is fresh and delicious. It's all pre-made each day, so you can just stop by when you're hungry and get a quick bite. You just order at the counter, they heat it up and give it to you, and you can sit down and eat under a shaded tree there, or take it with you. The prices are very good too. Eating out in Santa Teresa is too expensive, but this is the best place because you can get a good meal or a snack at a fair price and feel full.The arancini are amazing! The meatball sandwich on their own bread is large, filling, and delicious and the focaccias are terrific. There is enough variety to get something different everyday, and always leave satisfied.

Las Piedras Parrilla Grill...

Sometimes you just want a huge plate of tender, delicious meat!

A true Argentinean grill (staffed by Argentinos), Las Piedras serves heaping portions of tender beef, pork ribs and chops, and an amazing half chicken. The mixed grill for two is outstanding, they give you an enormous portion for a very good price. Try the seafood stew as well, it might be the best in town! They have beer, wine and Fernet too. It's only open for dinner, starting at 6 pm. You'll smell it from a ways away, and your nose will lead you there as you approach Playa Carmen.

Koji’s Restaurant...

Koji’s Restaurant is a sushi shack located above the beautiful beach, Playa Hermosa. It is well known for serving mouth watering Japanese food. Offering excellent quality food and lovely ambiance you can expect a wide range of rich and flavorful cuisines and an idyllic platform for family dinners, romantic candlelight dinners and special occasions.

All of the ingredients used in the sushi house are totally fresh, and caught in the area. Their menu also includes meals made from organic vegetables and fresh tropical fruits so vegetarians can have a delightful time too. Koji’s Restaurant is a popular place and you will often find it packed so it's better to make reservations in advance.

AND COOLEST BARS...

Kika's...

RocaMar...

Banana Beach...

Kika's hosts the best party night in town! Every Thursday night they close the restaurant, take away the tables, and set up the band at 10 pm. The Argentinean brothers that own Kika's play music with their friends and you can always count on a rollicking set of rock en español, surf music, reggae, and a little punk, all which gets the crowd and the dance floor all worked up into a frenzy.

Right on the beach at the North end of Santa Teresa you’ll find RocaMar, and when you do you won’t want to leave. This beach lounge is the perfect place to grab a cocktail, slink into a hammock and while the day away watching the surfers out front. Sunday sunset is the funnest time to be at RocaMar, theres a great BBQ and after sunset there is usually a bonfire, a DJ, and a drum circle.

Banana Beach Bar is halfway between Santa Teresa & Playa Carmen. A true beach bar, you'll find a cool vibe under the palm trees, in front of a killer surf break.

They have great ceviche too, as well as beer and cocktails. There is usually a nice crowd, and this is a fun place to meet other travelers.

This is a beautiful place to watch the sunset any time of year, so be sure to take your camera.

JOE'S TIPS ON WHERE TO STAY...

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica has a number of options depending on your needs. Below is Joe's very own vacation rental, along with a couple of other suggestions. Should those all be booked up feel free to drop us a line and let us know. We're not a travel agency but will certainly try to lend a helping hand by offering some tips to make your search easier!

Joe’s Very Own...

Old, rustic dĂŠcor in a comfortable, relaxed setting with Zen-like peace. 7 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and space for up to to 14 guests, we are the largest vacation rental house right in the heart of town. So close to the Pacific, you can hear it crashing at the back of the property!

Visit the Jungle House website to find out more...

Joe Suggests...

Don Jon's, across the street from The Jungle House is a great option for young people. They have hostel style bunks, as well as private rooms, and individual bungalows for more privacy. A really cool place!

Visit the Don Jon website to find out more...

Joe Suggests...

Down the street & up the hill a little ways (about 5 minutes walk from The Jungle House) is Fuego Lodge.

It's a gorgeous place and an excellent option for families that want their own unit, or a couple that wants a really nice stay at a fair price.

Visit the Fuego Lodge website to find out more...

JOE'S SANTA TERESA "No-No's" Overpriced Gringo Stuff...

Beef At The Supermarket...

Booze at The Supermarket...

At the supermarket, you'll pay double for foreign foods - chips, bottled water - and basic things you're used to in North America.

Don't bother, avoid just about every brand you see a lot at home. Eat fresh fish, fruits & local veggies. We have a water filter at The Jungle House too.

The meat here is terrible, tough, and expensive. Instead be more authentic! I can arrange delivery of inexpensive fresh fish straight to you at The Jungle House. We can do this most days so please just let us know and we'll have you eating something far more enjoyable!

Get your liquor at duty free as soon as you get your passport stamped. It's much cheaper than in Santa Teresa, and you'll have more variety. However, I'm sure you'll find yourself wanting to try something local - I suggest Pilsen, a good Costa Rican beer if you need a local drink!

THE VACATION INSIDER PHILOSOPHY

PUT THE GUIDEBOOK DOWN...

Guidebooks are a great overview but your vacation insider is a local specialist so put the guidebook down and ask your insider!

If you’re an accommodation owner and would like to participate in the Insider Guide series we’d love to hear from you!

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