Exploring Costa Rica is a rite of passage for every adventure-loving traveler, especially those who are in the mood for jungle vibes and beachy scenery. This Central American country is a prime spot for adrenaline junkies. Ziplining over jungle canopies, surfing Pacific waves, horseback riding along the beach… Costa has it all.
But on the flip side, it’s also a great place to settle down for a few weeks and get some work done. Although it’s not the cheapest digital nomad destination in the world, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to replenish your bank account while exploring all that the country has to offer at the Selina coworking space in Santa Teresa.
Spanish (English is widely spoken)
Currency
Costa Rican Colón, U.S. Dollar
Visa
90-Day Visa-Free for Many Nationalities
Current
110V
Sockets
Type A, Type B
Costa Rica is one of the most prosperous and politically stable countries in the area. It’s got a high standard of living, which explains the high costs compared to other Central American countries. The local people are extremely progressive when it comes to freedom of expression, and they even elected their first female president back in 2010.
The real draw of Costa is undeniably the landscape. It’s got rain forests (and cloud forests!), mangroves, active volcanoes, peaking mountains, colorful coral reefs, and palm-lined beaches. The Pacific Coast is great for surfing, the Caribbean is great for diving, and everything in between is a lush jungle.
Santa Teresa
There are many destinations in Costa Rica that attract tourists, but Santa Teresa stands out for a few reasons. This booming beach town is located on the Nicoya Peninsula with white sand beaches and consistent surf. Playa Carmen is the most popular beach in the area, and it’s still pretty low-key even though it’s growing rapidly.
Like all of Santa Teresa, there is a major surf scene in Playa Carmen, and it’s a great beginner-friendly spot for learning how to ride some waves. Surfing isn’t the only way to stay busy, though. If you prefer to keep your feet solidly planted on land, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore the natural wildlife.
There are loads of birds, monkeys, lizards, exotic plants, so you can expect to spend a lot of your time outdoors. If you plan on staying a while in Playa Carmen, you’ll love that there’s a big supermarket here that has everything you could possibly need.
Getting There
Many travelers choose to travel to Santa Teresa by taking overland from San Jose. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, the other option is to fly from San Jose to Tambor Airport, which takes about 40 minutes (followed by a short taxi ride from Tambor to Santa Teresa).
Getting Around
Getting around is easy since everything is within walking distance from the main road and beach. If you’re not into the idea of walking everywhere, you can hop in a taxi (if there are any available) or go all out by renting an ATV for exploring the area’s jungles and beaches.
Things to Do
Surfing is definitely the activity of choice here – beginners can easily sign up for lessons and more experienced surfers can rent a board and go out on their own. Yoga is another popular activity as well as fishing and ATV tours. However you choose to spend the day, you can count on the fact that you’ll be watching sunsets from the beach.
Accommodation Options
Like we said before, Costa Rica isn’t the cheapest destination. It’s possible to find a place to stay that’s fairly budget-friendly, but don’t count on paying less than $20 a night for a shared dorm. A private room can cost anywhere between $60 to $90 per night, and a full apartment ranges from $65 to $110 depending on the size.
Places to Eat
The best restaurant for breakfast in Santa Teresa is The Bakery. It serves food all day long, specializing in European cuisine with plenty of options for pastries, sandwiches, and salads. The relaxed environment (and yummy coffee) also makes this a great working spot.
Soda Playa Carmen is another popular spot for food, but this one is all about local dishes with options for veggie, meat, or fish, and you can’t forget about the rice and beans. The reviews are great and the prices are even better.
For mouthwatering tacos and savory burritos, you’ll want to check out Taco Corner. It’s right next door to The Bakery, so you can easily work in the morning with a European-inspired breakfast and then head over to for lunch Taco Corner to chow down on some Mexican food.
Bars & Nightlife
Banana Beach is a great spot for beachside drinks with lots of seating overlooking the Banana Beach Surf Break. There’s a small dance floor here, but most people just chill in the lounge chairs while drinking cocktails, eating seafood, and socializing with friends.
In terms of parties, Santa Teresa strongly encourages Thirsty Thursdays. Thursday is the main “going out” night, and most people head to Kika for live music that starts around 10 pm. If you’re looking for more after that, Disco La Lora is the perfect dancing spot with a DJ and lively Reggaeton music playing from midnight to 2 am.
After your Thursday night partying, you’ll probably need a break for a day or two. The festivities start again on Sundays at Hananero Mex-Grill. It’s right on the beach and serves amazing Mexican dishes and margaritas. On Sundays, there’s a DJ playing electronic music until 12 am with a beach bonfire.
