Santa Teresa won’t be in your radar but, nevertheless it needs to be. The seashore city on the backside of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula has been referred to as the following Tulum, however merely evaluating it to a different lovely place isn’t honest. It’s a surf mecca identified for epic breaks, however past that, it’s in a Blue Zone—certainly one of 5 locations on the planet the place residents are confirmed to dwell longer, more healthy, happier lives (others embody Okinawa, Japan, and Ikaria, Greece).
“That is the land of surf and yoga,” says Nancy Goodfellow, co-owner of Pranamar Villas and Yoga Retreat. She was first drawn to the city’s mixture of huge white-sand seashores and plush inexperienced jungle. “There may be undoubtedly a particular power right here that feels nearly magical and attracts attention-grabbing, inventive folks from everywhere in the world.”
Residing in tune with nature was additionally what attracted restaurateur/artist Margriet Zwart. “It is an ideal place to attach with all the weather of untamed, primal dwelling,” the native Canadian says. And whereas it’s nonetheless pure and untamed—don’t go except you’re snug seeing lizards, frogs, crabs, and bugs regularly—it’s turn into a globally identified vacation spot for yoga and different wellness modalities, too.
The power right here is like an amplifier and permits a wholesome spirit to thrive.
“I feel the power right here is like an amplifier and permits a wholesome spirit to thrive,” says Zwart, a surfer who additionally adventures up rivers, hikes, and hunts for waterfalls within the inexperienced season. “The ocean, the hills, and the domestically grown fruits are an ideal medley of issues that create balanced our bodies and minds.” Her group is crammed with healers whose modalities embody aura and power work, therapeutic massage, and crystals. “It’s an ideal place to heal and really feel,” she says.
Close by Montezuma, simply an ATV trip away, is house to spectacular falls. If you happen to cozy up with locals, they might simply share their favourite insider sundown spots, breaks, or full-moon meditation suggestions. “There is a huge non secular group right here,” says Goodfellow, “and persons are pleasant and open.” Wholesome, natural meals is normal, and vegan or vegetarian eats are prolific. However the pleasure of Santa Teresa is within the discovery. “I discover all types of secret spots,” says Zwart, “however that’s the magic of looking, and I’m certain there are various spots I’ve but to find.”
Stoke your wanderlust with this information to the healthiest spots in Santa Teresa—and begin planning your journey!
Sweat and surf
When the surf is world-class, you don’t have any excuse to not attempt—professional or beginner. The city is teeming with instructors glad to show a newbie lesson, or you’ll be able to hire a foam board for simply $10 a day at Playa Hermosa outlets and check out your luck within the white wash. Extra skilled surfers have been identified to have their finest periods ever at La Lora—a rippable seashore break with occasional barrels—or on the level break of Cabuya. Even should you don’t trip a heat, crystalline wave, it’s good for the soul to begin the day as a viewer on the sand.
On dry land, get your circulate on at Pranamar. Every day yoga courses occur throughout Santa Teresa, however everybody is aware of that Pranamar’s huge shala—framed by emerald jungle on one facet and the property’s two-tier pool on the opposite—can’t be topped because the vacation spot for extremely sweaty courses (we’re speaking 90 p.c humidity!) that border on transcendent. Submit-class, seize a chilly coconut at Luc’s simply steps away, head to the seashore for a refreshing dip within the sea, or saunter to the sandy Gaia Wellness spa for craniosacral remedy, a sort of bodywork that makes use of therapeutic massage to launch rigidity within the comfortable tissue of the cranium, backbone, and sacrum, that may depart you completely blissed out.
Feast on superfoods
Zwart Artwork Cafe, Margriet Zwart’s Technicolor artwork studio-slash-cafe is assured to cheer you up. Thick inexperienced superfood smoothies are available in goblets worthy of royalty (and might get you thru a surf sesh with no hangry mishap), and vegan surfer bowls embody such good-for-you goodies as turmeric and toasted cumin brown rice, sprouted sunflower, avocado, and coconut bitter cream.
For a tasty and satisfying meal, attempt Chop It. Falafel burgers with candy potato fries, natural wraps, and fresh-pressed juices are the stuff desires are made from when on this lively spot, however the domestically made probiotic drinks (the Santa Teresa–brewed, pure Fermented Renegade Sailor Ginger Beer and house-brewed ginger turmeric water kefir) are true must-orders. Substitutions to make something vegan, gluten-free, or dairy free are welcomed with a smile.
Indulge your spa desires
Who would not love an excellent therapeutic massage? However that’s not all Florblanca Resort’s Spa Bambu gives. If you happen to don’t thoughts getting a bit messy, ebook Fully Coconut or the Costa Rican Physique Scrub, which contain deep, head-to-toe scrubs utilizing the pure, native elements in uncooked type. Plan to reach early so as to laze about within the sheltered large Jacuzzi surrounded by chirping, squawking jungle. And even higher, ebook a bespoke Pilates session with Lucia.
Trip (not-so-wild) horses at sundown
Slip on some leggings and saddle up for an exciting horseback trip alongside bucolic seashores and up into the hills above. Ask round for Ollie’s Adventures and discuss with proprietor Adrian, who owns probably the most horses of anybody domestically. He’ll guarantee a protected journey via beautiful surroundings and, if the necessity arises, will chase off any excited wild stallions which will attempt to hit in your crew of mares (it could truly occur!) as you gallop alongside the deep sand.
Get your dance on
There may be one discotheque in Santa Teresa (La Lora, if you really want to get together), however ecstatic dances are the popular night exercise round city. Locals and vacationers alike collect biweekly on Friday nights at Nautilus Boutique Resort’s treetop shala, which turns into host to a DJ and quite a lot of open minds. There are not any guidelines besides no substances and no speaking, which elicits one of many sweatiest, freewheeling dance events you’ve ever skilled. Downstairs, Olam is the place to deal with your self to a restorative superfood smoothie, a glass of natural malbec, or uncooked vegan fudge cake afterward.
Get extra journey inspiration! These yoga journey locations are excellent for a winter getaway—plus, do not miss what actually occurs at this $15,000 health retreat.
