
03 Jun Costa Rica: Santa Teresa
After flying into San Jose and visiting Manuel Antonio, the second part of our trip was spent in Santa Teresa, a small town on the Pacific Coast in the Southwest region, which attracts both beach lovers and surfers.
Day 5 – Travel day, Beach & Pool
We spent a full morning making the trip from Manuel Antonio to Santa Teresa. We stopped on the bridge (just after Jaco) to see the crocodiles. After we got to Puntarenas, we took a one hour ferry ride, and then continued driving until we reached Santa Teresa. After checking into our hotel, we spent the afternoon at the beach and pool.
Day 6 – Body Boarding
Santa Teresa is a very hippy, surfing town. The waves were unbelievably strong and huge. Our second day in town, we decided to rent a boogey board and for $7 it provided lots of laughs (and hurts too). While we got beat up at first, we slowly got the hang of it. It was fun to watch the locals ride the massive waves. We ate dinner at a restaurant on the beach!
Day 7 – MonteZuma Waterfall, Beach, Pool
We drove to a nearby town, MonteZuma, and spent the morning there. The town is popular because of a large waterfall and more beaches. In addition to walking (climbing) to the waterfall, we were able to climb up passed the waterfall and found a rope swing and another cliff. We realized later this was the same cliff that Tom Brady jumped off that made headline news. While it was very scary, I knew I would regret it if I didn’t jump, so after a little hesitation I made the jump. Colby and I got to jump together and if I didn’t have to keep climbing up the rocks I probably would have kept going! After leaving the area and driving back to our hotel, we enjoyed the afternoon at the beach and pool.
Our tips:
- The roads in Santa Teresa are bad – they are all gravel. You will drive and drive and drive and still be on gravel. If you go to this area, you do need a SUV.
- Several tourists told us they paid a local to go see the waterfall in MonteZuma, but do some research and you can get in free (like we did).
- The waves are massive. Santa Teresa is not a good beach to get in and enjoy the water, but if you like watching surfers or want to surf yourself this is a great place to go.
- We didn’t make a huge effort to see the sunset, but wish we had!
- The ferry ride is $1.50/person or $25/car. Make sure to get there a little early. If you have a car, get in the car line – then go buy your ticket – and then get back in the car. We were very confused on how the process worked!
- We stayed at Otro Lado and really enjoyed it: 3 minutes walk to the beach, free parking, delicious free breakfast, cleaning service every day, and an awesome pool!
I didn’t start sharing our traveling adventures on the blog until the end of 2013, but you can see some of our trips below as well as how to travel on a budget here.
- Pacific Northwest
- Western Caribbean Cruise
- Arizona
- Hilton Head
- South America: Argentina
- South America: Torres Del Paine
- South America: Lake Region
- South America: Santiago + Coast
- Costa Rica: Manuel Antonio
The rest of the trip is to be continued…….
Cheryl Smith
Posted at 06:54h, 03 JuneSo thankful you two had such a great time! It looks like a beautiful place. 🙂
jennifer prod
Posted at 09:26h, 03 Juneyour life is like a dream, and i wanna jump into all your pictures and live it with you 🙂 fast fact? boogey boarding is one of my all-time favorite things (quick joy and always elicits a giggle or seven)
laci
Posted at 09:32h, 03 JuneAmazing !!! My mother law that I have never met lives in Costa Rica can’t wait till we finally go.
Rebecca Jo
Posted at 09:38h, 03 JuneThat beach… all the blue! WOW!!
You just look beautiful in every picture!!!
Molly
Posted at 09:39h, 03 JuneOh my goodness, how much fun is that! Looks like you had a blast. Those crocodiles are SCARY!
Cassie
Posted at 09:58h, 03 JuneSo beautiful! Those alligators are crazy and that waterfall is amazing!!!
Sarah
Posted at 10:07h, 03 JuneSounds like such a wonderful trip. Costa Rica looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing with those of us who won’t be able to travel there any time soon. 🙂
Alexis
Posted at 11:45h, 03 JuneNext time I want to hide in your suitcase so that I can come along! So much fun but those crocodiles…yikes! There were SO many of them!
Tiffany | A Touch of Grace
Posted at 12:34h, 03 JuneThe restaurants on the beach are so cool! That was by far our favorite dinner in Costa Rica! Love the waterfall!
Mia @ MakeMeUpMia
Posted at 13:04h, 03 JuneSo pretty! Those pics of you guys jumping, ahhh it looks so high! But, I’d probably regret it too if I didn’t. How fun 🙂
Kim Adams Morgan
Posted at 14:57h, 03 JuneOkay, Caroline. When we were talking about Costa Rica and I said I was frighten of the reptiles, you failed to mention all these crocodiles. Imagine my surprise when I see photos of them here. They are MUCH bigger than those lizard thingys, what are those called in the video? Rick and I are starting to talk about a trip here. Are they everywhere in the water? We had to deal alligators in SC and of course I saw them everywhere in Florida. I’d never swim in the water in either place. I see you swimming so it must me safe, right?
Kim Adams Morgan
Posted at 14:58h, 03 Junesorry, I hit send as I was correcting…meant frightened.
Biana @Blovedboston
Posted at 11:06h, 04 JuneJumping from a waterfall has been on my list forever – so much fun!! That picture with the crocodiles scared me!! And the beaches look like perfection! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Kim Hilbert
Posted at 19:28h, 04 JuneI loved the pictures of how blue the sky is, so beautiful! Thanks for all the tips. I don’t travel much, but good points to remember to ask about if I do end up traveling.
ellesees.blogspot.com
Posted at 07:22h, 05 Juneaw, this is making me miss my trip there several years ago. love the pics!!
Angela
Posted at 23:23h, 05 JuneThis looks like SO much fun!! I don’t know if I could have jumped though. 🙂
Brandy
Posted at 09:39h, 06 JuneSo beautiful!!!! What gorgeous views! … PS.. you go girl for jumping off that cliff… i never could have haha.
Kristi Case
Posted at 09:38h, 08 JuneThis looks like such a fun trip! I would love to visit Costa Rica one day!
Melanie
Posted at 09:47h, 08 JuneWow, amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Rhonda
Posted at 18:34h, 08 JuneI love the picture of you two jumping together, and the last pic!
Patti
Posted at 08:40h, 09 JuneMy BIL loves Costa Rica and visits often. Looks like you guys had a great trip.
Kelli {A Deeper Joy}
Posted at 12:54h, 09 JuneOh my gosh this makes me want to go back to Costa Rica! But those crocodiles are freaky :-p I LOVE that you jumped off the waterfall…that looks like so much fun. That whole little cove looked awesome. Y’all got great photos on the beach too! I need a vacation! 🙂
Kayla Pantalion
Posted at 21:18h, 10 JuneI have always wanted to go to Coasta Rica! I am in Australia right now for 6 months, but I plan on going there when I get back! Hope you had fun!
emmett
Posted at 12:08h, 16 Junebody boarding looks like it would be really fun, although I’m not the best swimmer so I’m not sure! beautiful vacation pictures 🙂
Emmett – Hippie Lace
Laura @ Making Baby Provence
Posted at 09:02h, 19 JuneThose waves look ridiculously amazing!! Those are not the type that I know how to surf. 🙂
I got butterflies looking at your cliff-jumping pictures. It makes me want to go jump right now!
I am so glad you document these trips. They are amazing!
Joy
Posted at 10:11h, 06 JulyMy husband and I LOVE Manuel Antonio! Looks like an amazing trip!