This Costa Rica Beach Town Might Be the Next Tulum (Only Better)

Once upon a time, Tulum was a sleepy beach town whispered about between yoga teachers, fashion editors, and bohemian travelers. You went there to surf, sip mezcal under string lights, and fall asleep to the sound of waves in a jungle cabana. Then came the boutique hotels, the $30 smoothie bowls, the influencers, and eventually….the chaos.

Now, a new name is surfacing in those same quiet conversations: Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.

The Allure of Barefoot Luxury

Tucked along Costa Rica’s remote Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa isn’t easy to get to. There are no international direct flights, and you’ll need to travel by ferry, charter plane, or jungle-fringed backroads to reach it. But that effort is precisely what keeps it special.

This is a town where surfboards ride on the side of ATV’s, where boutique hotels blend into the jungle, and where wellness thrives.

Santa Teresa is located on the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world’s five Blue Zones. This means that the locals here tend to live longer than almost any other place in the world.

A mix of locals and expats shape the creative energy here. Local Costa Rican chefs craft vibrant dishes, boutique hoteliers reimagine sustainable luxury, and international artists quietly build hideaways in the hills.

There’s something undeniably magnetic about it: a natural ease paired with warm authenticity.

The Wellness-Forward Surf Town

At its heart, Santa Teresa is still a surf town. Consistent breaks, warm water, and golden beaches make this the perfect place to catch the waves. Beginners head to the nearby Playa Carmen, and pros can be spotted carving through waves at Playa Hermosa.

But surfing is just the beginning.

Wellness here is a lifestyle, not a marketing angle. Yoga shalas peek through the palm trees. Cold plunges follow ocean dips. Breathwork and movement classes aren’t just trends here, they’re Tuesday..

Many visitors come for a week and end up staying a month, working remotely from stylish bungalows between yoga classes and smoothie runs.

Design That Breathes

There are no towering hotels in Santa Teresa. Instead, you’ll find hillside villas with raw concrete and wood finishes, beachfront casitas with open-air kitchens, and eco-boutique hotels that blend almost imperceptibly into the jungle.

The interiors are design-forward but relaxed. Think woven pendant lights, linen sofas, polished cement floors, and natural textures throughout. It’s that very Tulum mix of minimalism and earthiness (only here, the jungle is more intact and the vibe less curated).

The Must-Stay Hotels Here Are:

A Food Scene That Punches Above Its Weight

For a town this size, the culinary offering is ridiculously good. Think fine dining meets barefoot charm.

You’ll find sushi with ocean views, wood-fired sourdough pizza, fresh ceviche served out of surf shacks, and upscale plant-based cuisine that even meat lovers will rave about.

Many restaurants are candlelit and open-air. And despite the town’s rise in popularity, the hospitality remains refreshingly unpretentious.

Try Out:

• Manzú Restaurant: A Mediterranean-inspired beachfront gem offering refined seafood, risottos, and grilled meats.
• Katana Asian Cuisine: A lush, jungle-side spot serving bold Asian fusion paired with cocktails and candlelit garden ambiance.
• Convivio: Minimalist-boho interiors meet global flavors here. This might be our new favorite restaurant in the area.
• Nectar at Florblanca: An open-air garden restaurant blending Latin, Asian, and Mediterranean influences using organic, seasonal ingredients in a serene resort setting.
• Ani’s Bowls & Salads: Bright and health-conscious, this garden café serves vibrant smoothie bowls, wraps, and plant-forward breakfasts and lunches.

What You Won’t Find Here (Yet)

There are no beach clubs blasting house music at 2 PM. No sprawling all-inclusive resorts with plastic wristbands. And while the scene is growing, Santa Teresa still feels like a place where things are discovered, not marketed.

Yes, you’ll find influencers on the beach. But you’ll also find a sense of calm, connection, and authenticity that Tulum’s current iteration has arguably lost.

This is a place where the dress code is salty hair and bare feet, where your evening plans might be a bonfire, a private chef dinner, or a moonlit swim.

Things to Do in Santa Teresa:

• Spa Days: Many boutique hotels offer in-villa massages, facials, and body treatments.
• Surf: Book a private surf lesson or board rental and head to Playa Carmen or Playa Hermosa.
• Horseback Riding: Sunset rides along the beach are pure magic.
• Wellness Experiences: Drop in on a sound bath, sign up for a detox retreat, or try a beachfront yoga class.
• Day Trips: Take a boat to Isla Tortuga for snorkeling, or explore nearby Montezuma for waterfalls and charming cafes.
• ATV Rentals: Navigate the backroads to secret beaches and hilltop views.

The Verdict

So, is Santa Teresa the new Tulum?

It might be even better.

Santa Teresa captures everything we once loved about Tulum. Get ready for untamed nature, creative expats, beautiful design, conscious living, and a hint of mystery. Just with more soul and less spectacle.

It’s not trying to be famous. It just is.

Want more Santa Teresa recs? Our Costa Rica Destination Guides dive deeper into where to stay, what to book, and how to travel well. Explore here.