About the ride from Monteverde to Santa Teresa Beach
Get ready to trade those backpacks for surfboards when you travel west from Monteverde to Santa Teresa Beach.
While there are a few different options for making the connection between the two, taking a shared minivan is the most affordable route. The total travel time is between three and six hours.
Another option is taking a van+ferry, which is slightly more expensive but takes about the same time to connect. This is the most scenic route, allowing you to travel by land and water.
The most flexible option is going by private car or minivan, giving you the chance to leave at your convenience and make stops along the way.
Buses are a bit expensive on this route but are a simple way to travel.
We’ll get into all the details below so you can decide which way is best.
What is Santa Teresa Beach like?
Once you arrive at Santa Teresa Beach, put your bathing suit on and prepare to relax on one of the best beaches in Costa Rica. Think palm trees, pristine sand, crystal-clear blue water, and amazing waves. It’s one of the finest tropical paradises you will find in Central America.
You’ll experience a profound sense of relaxation at Santa Teresa Beach. It’s why there are so many yoga retreats here.
There is plenty to do when you want a break from the sun. The downtown area has some great boutique shops and restaurants, and there are plenty of bars to make your nightlife one to remember.
Things to do in Santa Teresa Beach
Looking for some ideas of things to do? Here are a few items to add to your bucket list:
Take a surfing lesson. If you’re already skilled on the surfboard, head out and ride those waves. But if you’re a newbie, there are instructors to teach you. Before you know it, you’ll be riding those waves like an Olympian.
Enjoy a horseback ride at sunset. Add a little adventure to your day and sign up for a horseback riding tour. You can sign up for either a group or private tour, depending on what you’re in the mood for. The best time to go is right at sunset when you are riding along the beach with the wind in your hair, looking out at the amazing view over the water.
Go on a boat ride to Isla Tortuga. If you love to snorkel or scuba dive, a trip to Isla Tortuga is a must. It’s about an hour-long boat ride and provides some of the best underwater experiences in Costa Rica.
Relax at the Nantipa Wellness Center. If you want to feel truly at peace, head to Nantipa for a series of wellness-focused activities. They have yoga classes, meditation, sound therapy, wellness coaching, and personal training.
Go beach hopping. Santa Teresa has a series of beautiful beaches to enjoy. Playa Santa Teresa is the main attraction and gives the city its positive reputation. Still, there are other great locations, like Playa Hermosa and Playa Carmen.
Explore the nightlife. The party at Santa Teresa Beach never stops. There are all kinds of great restaurants and beach bars to enjoy.
What is the trip from Monteverde to Santa Teresa Beach like?
As you travel from Monteverde to Santa Teresa Beach, you will pass through mountainous areas and jungles before you hit sea level along the coast. As you approach Santa Teresa Beach, you can’t help but smell the ocean air.
How to get from Monteverde to Santa Teresa Beach
Monteverde and Santa Teresa Beach are separated by 221 km (137 mi). There are four primary ways to travel between the two Costa Rican hotspots: bus, car, minivan, and van + ferry.
Going by bus
One bus leaves Monteverde in the morning and takes you to Santa Teresa Beach. The average travel time is four hours, and prices start at $150.
Be sure to check out the hotel list for drop-off and pick-up locations.
Amenities on the bus include:
A/C
One bag and handbag per passenger
Free cancelation up to 15 days before departure. There is a 50% fee for up to 14 days.
Going by private car
If you want to take a private transfer and have more control over your trip, arrange an SUV to pick you up. Prices start at $666 for the car. So, a group of four would equate to $166 per person.
Some of the amenities include:
A/C
WiFi: subject to availability
Water
English-speaking staff
20 kg (44 lbs) bag and 7 kg (15 lbs) handbag per passenger
Can fit up to four passengers
Pick-up is at any Monteverde hotel, and drop-off is at any Santa Teresa Beach hotel.
Free cancelation/changes up to 24 hours before departure. There is a 50% fee up to 12 hours before departure.
Going by minivan
Shared minivans are the most popular way to travel because they are the least expensive. Minivan prices start at $62 and include A/C. You can arrange a pick-up and drop-off at any hotel.
The luggage allowance is between 20 kg and 25 kg (44-55 lbs). The total travel time ranges from four to six hours, depending on the provider and how many hotels you have to stop at.
If you’re traveling in a small group, private minivans are convenient because they allow you to set your schedule and include extra perks.
Here are some of the amenities you will get with a private transfer:
Prices start at $262 per minivan
Four hours travel time
Holds up to four passengers
Hotel pick up and drop off
Reclining seats
Two bags allowed per passenger
Surfboard allowed (payable to the driver $15)
Free cancelation up to 12 hours before departure
Going by van + ferry
If you want to include a ferry ride on your journey, sign up for the van + ferry option. Prices start at $69, and the total travel time is just under six hours.
You can arrange a pick-up at any Monteverde hotel with a drop-off at any Santa Teresa Beach hotel. The minivan will board the ferry during the journey.
Some of the amenities include:
20 kg (44 lbs) bag and handbag per passenger
Max 6 ft (1.8 m) surfboard allowed for a fee
A/C
Reclining seats
Free cancelation and changes up to 72 hours before departure
When is the best time to visit Santa Teresa Beach?
If you’re looking for dry weather and comfortable temperatures, November through May is the best time to visit. While this is peak tourist season, it’s not as busy in November, February, and May, away from the holidays and spring break season.
For the most part, temperatures during the day stay in the 80s and 90s°F (upper 20s to mid-30s°C) throughout the year, with nights regularly in the 70s°F (low to mid 20s°C).
If you’re going to catch the waves and go surfing, the swells are biggest between April through October. It’s advised to go the first half of these months before the real rainy season kicks in.
