Santa Teresa Beach, Pacific coast beach in Cóbano, Costa Rica
The 3-kilometer stretch of white sand at Santa Teresa extends along the Pacific Ocean, bordered by dense tropical forest and palm trees.
The transformation of Santa Teresa from a remote fishing village to an international destination began in the early 2000s with the arrival of surf enthusiasts.
The beach community includes residents from multiple countries who have established restaurants serving cuisine from their respective nations alongside Costa Rican dishes.
Visitors can access Santa Teresa by taking a domestic flight to Tambor Airport, followed by a 50-minute drive through the Nicoya Peninsula.
The combination of consistent wave patterns and offshore winds creates suitable surfing conditions for both novice and expert surfers throughout the year.
Location: Cóbano
GPS coordinates: 9.64974,-85.17747
Latest update: March 5, 2025 08:16
Costa Rica spans 19,700 square miles (51,100 square kilometers) between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, offering photographers a concentration of varied landscapes within a compact area. The country maintains over 30 national parks and protected areas, including Arenal Volcano, whose near-perfect cone rises 5,479 feet (1,670 meters) above surrounding rainforest, and Monteverde Cloud Forest, where mist drifts through canopy vegetation supporting rare species such as the resplendent quetzal. Rio Celeste flows through Tenorio Volcano National Park, displaying its characteristic turquoise color from volcanic minerals, while Tabacon Hot Springs delivers naturally heated water from underground sources. Coastal regions present diverse subjects, from the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park, where white-faced capuchin monkeys move through trees, to Cahuita National Park on the Caribbean coast with its coral reefs. The Nicoya Peninsula and Papagayo Peninsula provide access to Tamarindo Beach and Santa Teresa Beach, while the southern zone includes Marino Ballena National Park, named for its whale-shaped sandbar visible at low tide. Tortuga Island, off the coast of Puntarenas, serves as a day-trip destination. Inland, San Jose Central Market documents daily commerce, the National Theater displays neoclassical architecture from 1897, and Guayabo National Monument preserves pre-Columbian ruins. Cerro Chirripó rises to 12,533 feet (3,820 meters) as the country's highest point, offering views of both oceans in clear conditions.
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Puntarenas
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