Santa Teresa, Costa Rica is the ideal destination for solo female travelers and this 5 days Costa Rica itinerary tells you exactly how to make the most of this tropical paradise. Whether you want to learn how to surf, zen out with world-class yoga sessions or soak in the sun on an idyllic beach, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica is for you.

Read on to learn the best places to stay, where to eat and top things to do in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.

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Why Santa Teresa, Costa Rica Is Perfect for Solo Female Travelers

Costa Rica has so much to offer, from rainforest to volcanoes to stunning tropical beaches. It would be hard to do every single highlight of Costa Rica in just a 5 days Costa Rica itinerary, so I’ve chosen a destination that gets you the best of almost everything.

Costa Rica is famous for yoga retreats, epic waves and a laid-back vibe that leaves you feeling seriously rejuvenated at the end of your trip. Located along the Pacific on the Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa gives you a perfect slice of these benefits. This topical paradise is perfectly positioned to allow you to experience the rainforest, see waterfalls, learn how to surf, eat delicious, fresh food and so much more.

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica Weather

Costa Rica weather in Santa Teresa temperatures are pretty consistent year round with daily highs in the 90s and lows in the 70s. Though it is the rainforest, so be prepared for anything from mild showers to major rain storms during your visit, depending on the time of year. June through October is the rainiest time of year, with January through March having the least rain.

How to Get to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

The Santa Teresa Airport in Costa Rica is called Tambor Airport (TMU) and you can fly there in 30 minutes from San Jose International Airport. This is how I traveled to Santa Teresa and what I recommend because it’s the quickest. Alternatively, you can drive from San Jose International Airport to Santa Teresa in about 5.5 hours.

If you fly into Liberia International Airport (LIR), you’ll have to drive to Santa Teresa as there are no flights to Tambor Airport from Liberia. It takes approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes to get from Liberia to Santa Teresa.

Tips for Renting a Car for Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

If you’re going to rent a car in Costa Rica, I recommend being able to change a tire and speak minimal Spanish (or have a phrasebook) for the off chance you get a flat tire or have car trouble during your journey. The best place to book your car rental for Costa Rica is DiscoverCars.com and I recommend picking up your car right at the airport so you don’t have to deal with finding a car rental place.

Also, when driving around Costa Rica, be mindful to not park under any coconut trees. While I was in Costa Rica, a coconut fell through a car’s windshield in the parking lot!

Best Place to Stay in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica for Solo Female Travelers

As a solo female traveler, where you stay is a deciding factor for how your trip will go. Personally, I recommend staying at a private room in a hostel (roughly $60-100/night). It gives you the privacy and luxury of a hotel without tanking your opportunities for meeting people. Alternatively, you can stay at a luxurious hotel or resort and still meet people by booking activities and being friendly.

Have a Wild Time at Lost Boyz Hostel

If you want to stay on a gorgeous property with an amazing free breakfast and plenty of opportunities for socializing, stay at Lost Boyz Hostel in Santa Teresa. There’s an on-site bar with killer cocktails, a huge pool and the staff is 100% friendly. Just be sure to book the Private A/C Studio if air conditioning is make or break for you (it is for me). The dorms and private cabins have no A/C and it can get pretty damn hot.

Get the Best of Both Worlds at Zeneidas Surf Garden

Book your room at Zeneidas Surf Garden if you want to be right on the beach with on-site surf board rentals, surf lessons and yoga. This next-level hostel feels more like a posh resort or hotel. It’s beautifully decorated, spotlessly clean and there are tons of both private rooms and dorms to choose from.

Escape It All at Lua Villas

If you’re looking to get away from it all in paradise, book a room at Lua Villas. This dreamy property is outside of town, so having a rental car is ideal, but it’s just a five-minute walk to the beach and there’s a small market just next door. You’ll love the stunning gardens surrounding the pool, super trendy decor and helpful staff at this tucked away oasis.

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica Restaurants You Must Try

Ani’s Bowls

Say hello to your new favorite brunch spot in Santa Teresa! At Ani’s Bowls you can get everything from a delicious acai bowl to avocado toast to a Mahi Caesar Salad! This place is super popular, though, and you may end up waiting awhile for your table or food. You’ve been warned!

The Bakery

Whether you want a full-blown meal or a slice of carrot cake, The Bakery is should be your spot for breakfast or lunch. This bakery and restaurant is a Santa Teresa favorite because it’s about impossible to find something you don’t love on their menu. They have everything from french toast and breakfast burritos to pasta and paninis!

La Doña Pizzeria

When your pizza craving calls, you must answer. Enjoy thin, crispy pizza, fresh pasta and craft cocktails at this pizza heaven located just outside Santa Teresa.

Uma (Right on the beach!)

Is there anything better than eating a killer meal with your toes in the sand? No, there’s not. Uma serves up fresh Mediterranean cuisine right on the beach inside Playa Cielo Hotel with items like hummus, gyros, filet mignon and falafel. Your lunch or dinner at Uma may just be your favorite experience in Santa Teresa!

Tierra Y Fuego Restaurant & Pizzeria (On the way home from Montezuma)

Tierra Y Fuego Restaurant & Pizzeria is something of an anomaly in Costa Rica. It’s a seriously authentic Italian restaurant, run by an Italian couple, tucked away in the jungle. It’s not in Santa Teresa but it’s a perfect detour on your way home from the Montezuma Waterfall. Trust me when I say you will NOT regret eating here.

Tierra Y Fuego served my friend Maria and I some of the best Italian food I’ve ever had! Their tuna tartar, caprese salad and panna cotta made me want to cry tears of joy. You never know what you can find hiding in the jungle!

Top Things to Do in Santa Teresa for Your 5 Days Costa Rica Itinerary

Santa Teresa may be a small little beach town but trust me when I say there is so much to do in this area!

Learn to Surf

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica surf is an ideal surf destination for both complete beginners and experienced surfers. It’s where I learned to surf with a former pro surfer known as “Lion Surfer”, and I had an amazing experience!

If you’re really dedicated to learning how to surf, you could spend your whole trip at a Santa Teresa surf camp. Otherwise, book surf lessons with an amazing instructor here.

Take a Yoga Class (Or Five)

Would any 5 days Costa Rica itinerary be complete without yoga? I think not!

Yoga, yoga and more yoga is what Santa Teresa is all about! You will find some seriously impressive yoga classes here and there are even Costa Rica yoga teacher training programs you can check out. One of my favorite parts of doing yoga in Santa Teresa was seeing all the beautiful different studios! Santa Teresa easily has some of the most beautiful yoga studios in the world.

A few of the best spots for yoga in Santa Teresa include:

• Hotel Tropico Latino for beachfront yoga.
• Horizon Yoga Hotel for a yoga session in the mountains overlooking the water (and excellent breakfast).
• Pranamar for an intense yoga session at a beautiful resort.
• Florblanca Resort for yoga in a beautiful shala by the beach.

Take a Day Trip to Montezuma Waterfall

Take a little day trip to Montezuma to hike to Montezuma Waterfall and explore the little oceanfront town. Montezuma is about a one-hour drive away and when I went, it was with my friend Maria who I met in a yoga class the just one day prior. She had a rental car so we headed to Montezuma and made a day of it. The hike to the waterfall wasn’t too hard, it was just a bit more intense than we expected because we thought you just walk right up to it!

5 Days Costa Rica Itinerary Conclusion

Overall, I had an amazing five days in Santa Teresa on my solo trip there and I hope you do, too. On my trip I learned to surf, I focused on self care and I partied until the sun came up with new friends that I felt like I had known for years.

Taking a trip solo is one of the most adventurous things you can do and I hope that while you’re in Santa Teresa you relax a little, adventure a lot and live that pura vida life!