Tours and things to do in Santa Teresa & Mal País

Park guides, catamarans, sportfishing, ziplines, rafting, and more. Every listing checked against live sources.

Santa Teresa's 17 verified tours are led by 3 surf schools, 3 sportfishing charters, and 3 yoga and retreat centers, reflecting the zone's identity as one of Costa Rica's premier surf-and-yoga destinations.

Horseback Riding $$$

Ario Tours

Santa Teresa

Ario Tours runs horseback rides out of Hacienda Ario, a working cattle ranch just north of Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula. Bilingual guides and local sabaneros lead riders along a private beach, river valleys, and grassland with routes suited to each group's experience level. Daily tours depart at 8:00 am and 2:30 pm, with a separate cattle round up experience for more advanced riders.

ATV & UTV $$

ATValerios

Mal País

Local family-run ATV, UTV, motorcycle, and bicycle rental business serving Santa Teresa and Mal Pais, with more than 17 years of experience. Staff give driving instruction, route maps, and hotel drop-off and pickup of vehicles.

Surf School $$

Blue Mystic Surf School

Playa Carmen

Local surf school teaching private and small-group lessons, with a maximum of three students per instructor, at Playa Carmen and Santa Teresa. Lessons run about 1.5 hours and are booked directly through the website or WhatsApp.

Kayaking & SUP $$

Costa Rica Outdoors & Waves

Santa Teresa

Costa Rica Outdoors & Waves runs stand up paddleboard and kayak tours out of Mal Pais and Santa Teresa, including a signature paddle into Cabo Blanco Absolute Reserve waters. Trips run daily, tide dependent, with a 2 hour ocean and mangrove kayak tour and beginner through intermediate SUP instruction covering touring, racing, and wave riding. The operation is run locally by owner Juan Jorge Araya.

Sportfishing $$$

Costa Rican Tropical Tours

Mal País

Costa Rican Tropical Tours runs inshore and offshore sport fishing charters out of Mal País, targeting roosterfish, mahi mahi, tuna, wahoo, sailfish, and marlin. The same crew also runs a late afternoon sunset boat cruise along the Mal País and Santa Teresa coastline that passes Cabuya Island. Trips are booked directly through WhatsApp.

Yoga & Retreats $$

Horizon Hotel & Yoga Center

Santa Teresa

Horizon Hotel & Yoga Center runs daily drop in yoga classes on an ocean view deck perched over the beach in Santa Teresa. Professional instructors teach vinyasa and fusion flow at all levels, with single class, multi class pass, and private session options, plus prenatal classes on request. The studio has operated since 2005 as part of the Horizon hotel property.

Sportfishing $$$

Jason Tours

Mal País

Jason Tours is a Mal País based sport fishing and boat tour operator offering inshore and offshore fishing trips along with snorkeling, whale watching, and custom boat excursions. The company is authorized by the Costa Rican government and accepts credit card and PayPal payments. It holds a 5.0 rating from 76 TripAdvisor reviews and ranks among the top boat tour operators in Mal País.

Surf School $$$

Lapoint Surf Camp Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa

International surf camp brand with a Santa Teresa location a short walk from the beach, offering surf instruction packages that combine lessons with accommodation. Part of the Lapoint network of camps worldwide.

Park & Nature Guide $$$

Manakin Tours

Santa Teresa

Manakin Tours is a Costa Rican-owned guiding company based in Santa Teresa, leading private nature tours through Cabo Blanco Absolute Reserve, the Curu Wildlife Refuge, and other Nicoya Peninsula destinations. Local guides run whale and dolphin watching trips, waterfall hikes, snorkeling outings, and bioluminescence tours, with an emphasis on environmental education and support for local communities. The company has been featured in Forbes and Vogue for its work with area travelers.

ATV & UTV $$

Pacific Dirt Road Adventures

Santa Teresa

ATV, quad, and motorcycle rental and tour operator covering Santa Teresa, Playa Carmen, Mal Pais, and Montezuma. Offers both self-guided rentals and guided off-road tours through the surrounding area.

Yoga & Retreats $$$$

Pura Vida Adventures

Santa Teresa

All-inclusive surf and yoga retreat operating in the Santa Teresa area since 2004, with women's and coed weeks at a beachfront property in Playa Hermosa. Programs combine daily surf coaching, oceanfront yoga, meals, and massage.

Boat Charter $$$$

Santa Teresa Boat Experience

Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa Boat Experience offers private boat charters based in Santa Teresa, run by an operator with a background in local tourism and hospitality management. Trips and pricing are arranged directly through WhatsApp or Instagram direct message rather than a published rate sheet.

Surf School $$

Surf School By The Wave

Santa Teresa

Costa Rican-owned surf school with about 15 years of experience and ISA membership, teaching at Santa Teresa, Montezuma, and Cabuya. Lessons cap at three students per instructor and include a safety lifeguard, with bilingual instruction in English and Spanish.

Sportfishing $$$

Tico Brothers Sport Fishing

Santa Teresa

Tico Brothers Sport Fishing is a Santa Teresa based operator founded by captains Mikey and Swen Zaugg, offering inshore and offshore sport fishing trips along with snorkeling, sunset, and marine wildlife watching tours. The crew works in English, Spanish, Swiss German, and German, and the company also runs a tackle shop, Rusty Hook. Bookings are made through the company website or WhatsApp.

Yoga & Retreats $$$

Vajra Sol Yoga Retreats

Santa Teresa

Yoga and wellness retreat company operating at a private property in Playa Hermosa, a short walk from the beach near Santa Teresa. It runs scheduled multi-day yoga retreats focused on practice, nature, and rest.

ATV & UTV $$

Vroom8 ATV Rentals

Santa Teresa

ATV, UTV, and motorcycle rental and guided-tour operator in Santa Teresa, renting machines by the day or week. Guided options include the Montezuma Waterfall and Manzanillo Beach tours plus build-your-own routes.

Catamaran & Sailing $$$$

Yacht Charters Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa

Yacht Charters Santa Teresa books full day private charters aboard the Leopard 53, a 53 foot power catamaran with four en suite cabins that holds up to 20 guests. The boat departs from Playa Pochote or Tambor, about 30 to 40 minutes from Santa Teresa by road, and the standard day includes snorkeling, sport fishing gear, and a sunset stop, with transportation from Santa Teresa arranged on request. It holds a 5.0 rating from TripAdvisor reviewers.

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Teresa good for surfing?

Yes, 3 verified surf schools serve the zone, including Blue Mystic Surf School, reflecting Santa Teresa's reputation as a top Costa Rica surf destination.

Are there yoga retreats in Santa Teresa?

Yes, 3 verified yoga and retreat centers serve the zone, including Horizon Hotel & Yoga Center.

Can I go sportfishing from Santa Teresa?

Yes, 3 verified charters serve the zone, including Costa Rican Tropical Tours out of Mal Pais.

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