Located on our own private hill top with no neighbors, away from the hustle and bustle make for a very relaxing stay. We’re away from the town noise and dust, yet close enough to all the great restaurants, surf shops, beaches and local markets. We’re conveniently located just a 2 minute drive or 10 minute walk up the hill from Santa Teresa .
Phone and Mobil – Costa Rica
Your options for traveling to Surf Vista Villas from San Jose Airport range from public buses, private taxis, shared mini-buses, to rental cars and even a quick flight.
Whichever you choose, the travel time is all the same – aproximately 2 hours from the airport to Puntarenas, 1 hour on the ferry, and then 1.5 hours from Paquera to Santa Teresa.
Relax, enjoy the journey…you are now on “Tico Time”. So you may as well just sit back and enjoy the ride, Pura Vida!
These are all approximate travel times, distances and prices in US dollars and travel directions are from the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica. Please feel free to contact us for more detailed directions and assistance organizing your transportation to Surf Vista Villas.
Renting a 4×4 is recommended because of the many dirt roads on the Nicoya Peninsula combined with varied wather and road conditions and our location on the hill.
Cars can be rented at San José, Liberia and Tambor airports or delivered to Surf Vista Villas. The companies Alamo, Budget and Toyota have offices in Santa Teresa/ Mal País
There’s also a direct bus twice/day from the San Jose bus terminal to Mal Pais. The cost is $15 and taxis can take people from the airport to the bus station in San Jose. Buses leave at 6am and 2pm but times may change.
If you choose to take the bus there are several places near the drop off in Santa Teresa/ Mal País to rent a car, ATV, or find a taxi to take you to Surf Vista Villas. Having a vehicle offers easy access to the wide variety of beaches, restaurants, activities and attractions around the Nicoya peninsula.
Another option is to take a 25 minute flight from San José or Liberia airports to Tambor. From Tambor you can have your rental car reserved and waiting for you, or we can arrange a taxi pick up for $50 to $60 approx
Surf Vista Villas is located in the small beach town of Santa Teresa on the Southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.
There are several options:
From the San José or Liberia Airports you can rent a car (we recommend 4X4 as there are many dirt roads in our area) and drive yourself.
You can fly from San Jose or Liberia to Tambor Airport which is 45 minutes by taxi to the Villas.
There are also several companies offering shuttle services from either Airport to Santa Teresa and a direct bus from San José twice daily. For full details on how to get here please visit this link
The weather varies depending on the time of the year but it is warm year round.
The warmer months are from November to April, when it’s summer in Costa Rica. In the beginning of May the weather starts to cool off slightly because of the rains that usually come at night. Sunny and warm days with cooler and occasional rainy nights continue until mid September when the rainy season officially begins. From mid September through October there are typically more chances for daytime rains although the temperatures still remain warm and comfortable.
We do recommend that visitors to the Santa Teresa area rent a vehicle of some sort, whether a rental car or ATV. Unlike other beach communities, Santa Teresa is spread out along 5-10 kms of beachfront road, and to be able to take advantage of the various restaurants and stores along that stretch, it is nice to have your own wheels.
However, some guest choose to go without transportation and walk to the beach, restaurants, markets, etc. Taxis are always available when you need as we´re located on the top of a steep hill.
Yes there are Budget, Alamo & Toyota Rental Car Offices in Santa Teresa/Mal País. There’s also a Budget Office in Tambor only 5 minutes from the Airport.
US dollars are widely-accepted in our area, and stores/restaurants offer a fair exchange rate. There are two banks in town where you can exchange money for local currency (CR Colones).
You can use your credit card (Visa or Mastercard) here at all grocery stores (just be sure to bring ID). Some restaurants and shops also accept credit cards, but not all. You should bring some cash with you into town, to be on the safe side. We do provide a safe in each villa for your valuables.
As in most tourist destinations, there is some petty theft in the area. Do not leave your camera on the beach and go surfing, or leave your passport in the car and go eat lunch. Be smart and you should have no problems!
Tours and activities can be easily booked upon your arrival by our full time on site concierge. If your stay is during a holiday period we do recommend booking some activities/tours before your arrival (ex. Isla Totuga & ATV Rentals).
There are several supermarkets in town, the nearest is by the bottom of our road. There are also fresh fish markets, farmers markets, and bakeries.
A-We have a wide variety of waves. From slow rollers for the beginner surfer or longboarder, to fast and hollow for the seasoned and experienced surfer. The waves usually change throughout the day depending on swell, wind and tide. There are mostly beach breaks with no rocks at all and some point breaks which work with good swells.
Yes there are some great learning waves in the area and we work with some
of the best surf instructors in Costa Rica to provide you an amazing surf experience.
Yes we do have Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.
We do get cell phone coverage at the hotel. If you plan to use your cell phone we recommend contacting your service provider before your trip for international plans/options.
There are two ATM’s in town at the main crossroads, approximately two miles from Surf Vista Villas.
Yes, there are a few small medical clinics in town. We can also have a doctor come to the hotel for minor injuries or illnesses. For emergencies, we work with the best hospitals in San Jose and have access to helicopter and private plane services.
All of our villas have fully-equipped kitchens, and there are two bbq’s for all of our guests to use. There is also pizza delivery available to the property, as well as many other delivery options.
There are many great restaurants within a 5 minute drive of the hotel. There is a supermarket at the bottom of our road. There also are some nice beach bars which are about a 5 minute drive from the hotel.
There are numerous yoga classes in Santa Teresa, for every skill level. Most of the Yoga dojos are beachfront or ocean-view, making them a lovely setting to practice.
We do have our own well, the water is safe to drink.
The outlets here are the same as in North America.
We are so lucky to have very diverse dining in our town. Santa Teresa has become quite the destination for “foodies”. You can find anything from $6 ‘Casado Plates’ at local Tico restaurants to $30 entrees and everything in between. There is something for every taste and budget.
We have several long boards, short boards and fun shapes for rent here at Surf Vista Villas for $10/day. If you are looking for something very specific, there are many surf shops that are sure to have exactly what you’re looking for. Boogie boards rent here on the property for $5/day.
Check-in time is at 1pm and Check-out time is at 11am.
