This is Santa Teresa

With its pristine beaches, delicious seafood, and cheery vibe, Santa Teresa is emerging as the next great south-of-the-border destination. As Tulum has become overrun with Los Angelenos and New Yorkers trying to recreate the cultures of their own hometowns in a more idyllic setting, Santa Teresa offers an edge-of-the-world vibe that still feels remote and inspires dreams of relocation. Located on the southern tip of Costa Rica's westernmost peninsula, it is a string of beach-backed hamlets that captivates visitors with its natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere.

Driving down the dusty dirt road that connects Santa Teresa's four beach areas—Playa Carmen (notable mainly for having the only ATMs in this no-credit-card zone), Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa proper, and Mal Pais—you can't help but be enchanted by the tanned, yoga-toned people carrying their surfboards back from the beach. The allure of a town that experiences almost year-round sunshine, with occasional biblical rainstorms and consistent 80-degree temperatures, stirs the imagination and prompts thoughts of what life would be like in such an idyllic place.

Once a sleepy fishing village, Santa Teresa has undergone a transformation into an increasingly luxurious surfer's paradise. It now attracts people who have turned this particular fantasy into their reality, along with the occasional detox-seeking celebrity who enjoys living the dream for a week at a time. In addition to the native Costa Ricans, or "Ticos," the community is a melting pot of cultures, with American chefs creating culinary wonders using unusual local ingredients, Australian surf instructors sharing their expertise, French cafe owners adding a touch of European charm, and Argentine hoteliers providing hospitality with a Latin flair.

Santa Teresa's international community blossomed in the 2000s as foreign adventure-seekers discovered its confluence of natural attractions. The town is an outer ripple of Costa Rica's countrywide eco-tourism boom. Its white-sand beaches, reliable and long-breaking waves, and diverse wildlife captivate visitors. While New Age hippies still populate the town's numerous yoga studios, Santa Teresa is evolving to cater to the growing number of comfort-loving creative-industry types who have fallen in love with its charms. The town's proximity to the pristine 3,000-acre Cabo Blanco nature reserve, just five miles to the south, adds to its appeal. Additionally, Santa Teresa offers an increasing array of excellent small hotels, villas, and restaurants, although a good boutique or two is still missing.

However, reaching this paradise requires effort and adds to its allure. Visitors typically take a short flight from Costa Rica's capital, San José, to an airstrip in the nearby town of Tambor. From there, they embark on a scenic 45-minute drive across the hilly farmland of the Nicoya Peninsula, setting the stage for the anticipation of what awaits. Once in Santa Teresa, travelers navigate the town's only road, which is dusty and pockmarked, putting their car's suspension to the test. While the road may give the town an almost lunar landscape, it simultaneously maintains the charm and seclusion of Santa Teresa. While there are hopes that the road will be paved someday, for now, it allows visitors to feel like one of the lucky few who have the opportunity to experience this beautiful and unspoiled place.

In conclusion, Santa Teresa is a hidden gem on Costa Rica's westernmost peninsula, offering pristine beaches, delightful seafood, and a vibrant atmosphere. Its transformation from a sleepy fishing village to a luxurious surfer's paradise has attracted an international community of expats and visitors seeking an idyllic coastal lifestyle. Despite the challenges of reaching this remote destination, Santa Teresa