Your Stay · Couples
Two bedrooms unused. The chef-designed kitchen turns into dinner-for-two. The pool stays open until the canopy goes quiet. Here's how guests in love spend their week.
For two
Santa Teresa is Costa Rica before it learned to be a resort. Casa Calyx sits ten minutes above the beach, three bedrooms (you'll use one), an infinity pool that holds the sunset, and a chef-designed kitchen that opens wide to the Pacific.
No front desk. No itinerary anyone else built. Self check-in, the key in a lockbox, the deck yours alone. Below — the five moments that hold the week, the days that fill it, and the addresses you'll want to know before you land.
“The chef-designed kitchen is the second bedroom.”
Long enough to find the rhythm; short enough to want to come back.
Dry weather, smaller crowds, lower rates than peak season.
What the week feels like
The bones of a Casa Calyx week for two. Pin these in your head before you book — they're the parts you'll remember six months later.
Doors open. The house exhales.
Arrival · the threshold
Coffee for two, jungle in earshot.
Morning · the deck
Cooking, both of you, ocean in the window.
Midday · the kitchen
The pool, until the canopy goes quiet.
Afternoon · the pool
The dinner that doesn't end.
Night · the deck
Late mornings, no alarm.
Then · the bed
The five moments that hold the week.
A perfect week
Hover or tap a day to see where you'll be. Nothing on this list is required. Skip what doesn't fit you — the point is to have a frame to break.
Day 1
Self check-in. Groceries pre-stocked. Pour wine, open every door, dinner on the deck under the rattan. The week starts when you say it does.
Day 2
Slow morning. Beach walk south to Playa Carmen, lunch at Rocamar with your feet in the sand. Pool through the afternoon. Sunset at Brukas — the 6pm rail table.
Day 3
Drive twelve minutes north to Blue Mist — adults only, bamboo shala, the couples massage and the plunge circuit. Lunch in the garden. Dinner at Convivio — this is the anniversary night.
Day 4
ATV east into the Nicoya hills. Waterfall swim at Montezuma. Late lunch at Playa de los Artistas — open Thursday through Sunday only, book the day before. Sunset ride back.
Day 5
Arrange in advance. A local chef shops the market, cooks four courses in your kitchen, plates on the deck under the rattan light. You don't leave the table until the stars come out.
Day 6
Dawn coffee on the deck. Final dip in the pool. Long shower, slow pack. Self check-out on your own schedule. Ride to Tambor with the windows down.
Day 1
Arrive & settle
A note from a real stay
“The chef-designed kitchen is the second bedroom. You end up cooking together every night you don't reserve a table.”
— Guest, anniversary week, March 2026
Tables for two
The rotation that holds the week together — the anniversary night, the first-week meal, the table with your feet in the sand.
Anniversary nightModern minimalist · bohemian twist
The newer upscale spot — gourmet plates, attentive service, the dinner you save for an anniversary night. Best food + service in town according to many guests.
TipSit at the bar if you can't get a table; the chef's special menu changes weekly.
Instagram →
First-week mealAsian fusion · string-lit patio
Often cited as the single best meal in town — unique pad thai, fresh sushi, gyoza, butter chicken on a lush outdoor patio. The same caliber as Koji's at a friendlier price.
TipReservations a week out in dry season. Get the chef's choice nigiri.
Operator site →
Omakase counterOmakase · the splurge sushi
The most upscale sushi in town, omakase available, raw bar that doesn't miss. Worth the reservation in season.
Operator site →
DJ + mezzeIsraeli · classy beach with DJs
Beach-vibes Israeli food with a DJ most nights. Shakshuka all day, mezze platters, mojitos that arrive in pint glasses.
TipFriday + Saturday have the strongest DJ programming.
Instagram →
Feet in the sandBeachfront · best on Sundays
Casual beachfront, sandals only. Ceviche, fish tacos, ice-cold beer. Sundays have the best vibes — go for sunset.
TipSunday evenings: arrive by 4pm to claim the front tables.
Anniversary nightModern minimalist · bohemian twist
The newer upscale spot — gourmet plates, attentive service, the dinner you save for an anniversary night. Best food + service in town according to many guests.
TipSit at the bar if you can't get a table; the chef's special menu changes weekly.
Instagram →
First-week mealAsian fusion · string-lit patio
Often cited as the single best meal in town — unique pad thai, fresh sushi, gyoza, butter chicken on a lush outdoor patio. The same caliber as Koji's at a friendlier price.
TipReservations a week out in dry season. Get the chef's choice nigiri.
Operator site →
Omakase counterOmakase · the splurge sushi
The most upscale sushi in town, omakase available, raw bar that doesn't miss. Worth the reservation in season.
Operator site →
DJ + mezzeIsraeli · classy beach with DJs
Beach-vibes Israeli food with a DJ most nights. Shakshuka all day, mezze platters, mojitos that arrive in pint glasses.
TipFriday + Saturday have the strongest DJ programming.
Instagram →
Feet in the sandBeachfront · best on Sundays
Casual beachfront, sandals only. Ceviche, fish tacos, ice-cold beer. Sundays have the best vibes — go for sunset.
TipSunday evenings: arrive by 4pm to claim the front tables.
Anniversary nightModern minimalist · bohemian twist
The newer upscale spot — gourmet plates, attentive service, the dinner you save for an anniversary night. Best food + service in town according to many guests.
TipSit at the bar if you can't get a table; the chef's special menu changes weekly.
Instagram →
First-week mealAsian fusion · string-lit patio
Often cited as the single best meal in town — unique pad thai, fresh sushi, gyoza, butter chicken on a lush outdoor patio. The same caliber as Koji's at a friendlier price.
TipReservations a week out in dry season. Get the chef's choice nigiri.
Operator site →
Omakase counterOmakase · the splurge sushi
The most upscale sushi in town, omakase available, raw bar that doesn't miss. Worth the reservation in season.
Operator site →
DJ + mezzeIsraeli · classy beach with DJs
Beach-vibes Israeli food with a DJ most nights. Shakshuka all day, mezze platters, mojitos that arrive in pint glasses.
TipFriday + Saturday have the strongest DJ programming.
Instagram →
Feet in the sandBeachfront · best on Sundays
Casual beachfront, sandals only. Ceviche, fish tacos, ice-cold beer. Sundays have the best vibes — go for sunset.
TipSunday evenings: arrive by 4pm to claim the front tables.
Days for two
A boat morning. A waterfall afternoon. A horse along the surf line at golden hour. Pick two; the trip will work.
Snorkel & dolphinsHalf-day · snorkel · lunch on a beach
Tortuga Island sits an hour off the Nicoya coast — two postcard beaches, a coral reef worth a mask, and water clear enough you'll stay in for hours. Full-day tours from Santa Teresa include the boat ride, two snorkel stops, lunch on the sand, and the run back through pods of dolphins (and humpback whales in season). The most reliable operator is Zuma Tours; departure is from Tambor with a 7am pickup at the villa.
TipWhale season runs July through October — ask for a captain who slows down for them.
Operator site →
Day trip east45-min east · three-tiered hike
Forty-five minutes east of Santa Teresa, the Montezuma waterfalls are the best free swimming holes on the Nicoya peninsula — a three-tiered cascade that drops through rainforest into a deep, swimmable pool. The lower tier is a 15-minute walk from town; sandals with grip help on the slick rocks. Strong swimmers hike to the middle pool for a 7-meter jump from a worn-smooth ledge. The upper tier is for experienced climbers only — fatalities have happened.
TipPair the morning with lunch at Playa de los Artistas a few minutes back toward the village (Thu–Sun only).
Dinner on the sandBeach dinner in Montezuma
A beachside Mediterranean kitchen in Montezuma, half-buried in the sand under driftwood lanterns and string lights. Whole fish, fresh pasta, a wine list that doesn't quit — the kind of three-hour dinner you book around for an entire trip. Open Thursday through Sunday only; reservations essential in dry season. Pair with a Montezuma waterfall morning for the easiest day-trip combo from Santa Teresa.
New-moon glowNight · new moon only · glowing water
On moonless nights in the Gulf of Nicoya, plankton light up around any movement — drag a hand through the water and it glows blue-green; jump in and your whole body lights up. The tour leaves Santa Teresa around sunset, runs a small boat into a sheltered bay after dark, and returns by 9pm. It is the most surreal hour you'll spend in Costa Rica, and only possible a few nights a month.
TipBook around the new moon for the strongest effect — within three days either side.
Operator site →
Golden hourOn the beach · golden hour
Sunset beach horseback rides leave the southern end of Playa Santa Teresa about 90 minutes before the sun drops — local outfitters lead small groups along the surf line as the sky turns. Most rides last 90 minutes; the horses know the route by heart. No experience required, but long pants, a hat, and reef-safe sunscreen all help. Year-round, but the dry season has the most reliable golden hour.
TipBook day-of by 2pm. Three operators work the south end — ask us which we trust this season.
Unlock the coastSelf-drive · dirt roads · waterfalls
The ATV is the single best decision a Santa Teresa week makes. Once you've got one at the villa, the coast unlocks — Hermosa for the longboard wave, Mal País for the tide pools, the back roads for waterfalls and beaches you wouldn't find on foot. Rentals run by the day or week; we arrange a Michael Streik ATV to be at the gate when you arrive. The dirt road from town to the villa is dusty in dry season — bandana and goggles help.
TipRenting for the full stay is almost always cheaper than rebooking taxis. Helmets are included.
Snorkel & dolphinsHalf-day · snorkel · lunch on a beach
Tortuga Island sits an hour off the Nicoya coast — two postcard beaches, a coral reef worth a mask, and water clear enough you'll stay in for hours. Full-day tours from Santa Teresa include the boat ride, two snorkel stops, lunch on the sand, and the run back through pods of dolphins (and humpback whales in season). The most reliable operator is Zuma Tours; departure is from Tambor with a 7am pickup at the villa.
TipWhale season runs July through October — ask for a captain who slows down for them.
Operator site →
Day trip east45-min east · three-tiered hike
Forty-five minutes east of Santa Teresa, the Montezuma waterfalls are the best free swimming holes on the Nicoya peninsula — a three-tiered cascade that drops through rainforest into a deep, swimmable pool. The lower tier is a 15-minute walk from town; sandals with grip help on the slick rocks. Strong swimmers hike to the middle pool for a 7-meter jump from a worn-smooth ledge. The upper tier is for experienced climbers only — fatalities have happened.
TipPair the morning with lunch at Playa de los Artistas a few minutes back toward the village (Thu–Sun only).
Dinner on the sandBeach dinner in Montezuma
A beachside Mediterranean kitchen in Montezuma, half-buried in the sand under driftwood lanterns and string lights. Whole fish, fresh pasta, a wine list that doesn't quit — the kind of three-hour dinner you book around for an entire trip. Open Thursday through Sunday only; reservations essential in dry season. Pair with a Montezuma waterfall morning for the easiest day-trip combo from Santa Teresa.
New-moon glowNight · new moon only · glowing water
On moonless nights in the Gulf of Nicoya, plankton light up around any movement — drag a hand through the water and it glows blue-green; jump in and your whole body lights up. The tour leaves Santa Teresa around sunset, runs a small boat into a sheltered bay after dark, and returns by 9pm. It is the most surreal hour you'll spend in Costa Rica, and only possible a few nights a month.
TipBook around the new moon for the strongest effect — within three days either side.
Operator site →
Golden hourOn the beach · golden hour
Sunset beach horseback rides leave the southern end of Playa Santa Teresa about 90 minutes before the sun drops — local outfitters lead small groups along the surf line as the sky turns. Most rides last 90 minutes; the horses know the route by heart. No experience required, but long pants, a hat, and reef-safe sunscreen all help. Year-round, but the dry season has the most reliable golden hour.
TipBook day-of by 2pm. Three operators work the south end — ask us which we trust this season.
Unlock the coastSelf-drive · dirt roads · waterfalls
The ATV is the single best decision a Santa Teresa week makes. Once you've got one at the villa, the coast unlocks — Hermosa for the longboard wave, Mal País for the tide pools, the back roads for waterfalls and beaches you wouldn't find on foot. Rentals run by the day or week; we arrange a Michael Streik ATV to be at the gate when you arrive. The dirt road from town to the villa is dusty in dry season — bandana and goggles help.
TipRenting for the full stay is almost always cheaper than rebooking taxis. Helmets are included.
Snorkel & dolphinsHalf-day · snorkel · lunch on a beach
Tortuga Island sits an hour off the Nicoya coast — two postcard beaches, a coral reef worth a mask, and water clear enough you'll stay in for hours. Full-day tours from Santa Teresa include the boat ride, two snorkel stops, lunch on the sand, and the run back through pods of dolphins (and humpback whales in season). The most reliable operator is Zuma Tours; departure is from Tambor with a 7am pickup at the villa.
TipWhale season runs July through October — ask for a captain who slows down for them.
Operator site →
Day trip east45-min east · three-tiered hike
Forty-five minutes east of Santa Teresa, the Montezuma waterfalls are the best free swimming holes on the Nicoya peninsula — a three-tiered cascade that drops through rainforest into a deep, swimmable pool. The lower tier is a 15-minute walk from town; sandals with grip help on the slick rocks. Strong swimmers hike to the middle pool for a 7-meter jump from a worn-smooth ledge. The upper tier is for experienced climbers only — fatalities have happened.
TipPair the morning with lunch at Playa de los Artistas a few minutes back toward the village (Thu–Sun only).
Dinner on the sandBeach dinner in Montezuma
A beachside Mediterranean kitchen in Montezuma, half-buried in the sand under driftwood lanterns and string lights. Whole fish, fresh pasta, a wine list that doesn't quit — the kind of three-hour dinner you book around for an entire trip. Open Thursday through Sunday only; reservations essential in dry season. Pair with a Montezuma waterfall morning for the easiest day-trip combo from Santa Teresa.
New-moon glowNight · new moon only · glowing water
On moonless nights in the Gulf of Nicoya, plankton light up around any movement — drag a hand through the water and it glows blue-green; jump in and your whole body lights up. The tour leaves Santa Teresa around sunset, runs a small boat into a sheltered bay after dark, and returns by 9pm. It is the most surreal hour you'll spend in Costa Rica, and only possible a few nights a month.
TipBook around the new moon for the strongest effect — within three days either side.
Operator site →
Golden hourOn the beach · golden hour
Sunset beach horseback rides leave the southern end of Playa Santa Teresa about 90 minutes before the sun drops — local outfitters lead small groups along the surf line as the sky turns. Most rides last 90 minutes; the horses know the route by heart. No experience required, but long pants, a hat, and reef-safe sunscreen all help. Year-round, but the dry season has the most reliable golden hour.
TipBook day-of by 2pm. Three operators work the south end — ask us which we trust this season.
Unlock the coastSelf-drive · dirt roads · waterfalls
The ATV is the single best decision a Santa Teresa week makes. Once you've got one at the villa, the coast unlocks — Hermosa for the longboard wave, Mal País for the tide pools, the back roads for waterfalls and beaches you wouldn't find on foot. Rentals run by the day or week; we arrange a Michael Streik ATV to be at the gate when you arrive. The dirt road from town to the villa is dusty in dry season — bandana and goggles help.
TipRenting for the full stay is almost always cheaper than rebooking taxis. Helmets are included.
Late, together
The cliff at sunset. The speakeasy you only find because someone told you. The pool at dusk. Short walk home from each.
The hidden doorHidden · behind Kook's
Tucked behind Kook's restaurant, Goma is the speakeasy you only find because someone told you. Low light, a mezcal-forward menu, and conversation-volume music — the antidote to a beach-bar night. The unmarked door sits between two storefronts; the room inside holds maybe thirty people.
TipIf the door's locked, knock once. They open the unmarked side door after 9pm.
Hilltop dinnerHilltop sunset · ocean view
The sunset dinner address. Brukas (locals call it La Bruca) sits on a hill above town with the cleanest west-facing deck in Santa Teresa — wooden tables under a corrugated roof, candles at dusk, the whole Pacific dropping into the horizon while you eat. Pumpkin ravioli, ribeye, a wine list that takes itself seriously. Reservation territory in dry season.
TipBook a 6pm table to catch the sun. Top tables on the rail go first.
Operator site →
Ridge sunsetBar-club · ridge views
Bar-club hybrid perched on the ridge above Mal País, with cocktails on a terrace that catches the Pacific sunset and a small dance floor once the sun's down. Less hectic than La Pasión with views you can't get from town. The early-evening sunset window is the sweet spot.
TipArrive by 6pm for the sunset table — they hold the front row for whoever shows up first.
Day-into-sunsetDay-into-night · DJs midweek
The headline beach club in Santa Teresa — daybed loungers, oceanfront drinks, and DJ sets that take over from sunset. Wednesday is the cult midweek night with a name DJ; Saturdays draw the bigger weekend crowd. The kitchen runs ceviche and tropical cocktails all afternoon, so the day-into-evening transition is the move.
TipWednesdays for the music, Sundays for the slow day-into-sunset.
Cliff poolCliff pool · day-to-sunset
A daytime spot that earns a sunset visit — an infinity pool perched on the cliff above Mal País with drinks all afternoon and the kitchen running through dusk. More day hang than night hang, but the sunset cocktail window catches the same Pacific view La Pasión guests miss.
TipArrive by 4pm for a poolside chair. The seafood ceviche is the dish.
Open-air tikiOpen-air tiki · DJ & dancing
Open-air tiki lounge with a packed cocktail bar and a DJ booth that takes over Saturday nights — DOPO CENA electronic sessions are the cult booking. Tropical decor, tiki masks, the kind of palm-frond-and-string-lights ambience that defines Santa Teresa nightlife. Quieter weeknights, full house on weekends.
TipSaturday for the DOPO CENA electronic sets. Cocktail menu's strong year-round.
Instagram →
The hidden doorHidden · behind Kook's
Tucked behind Kook's restaurant, Goma is the speakeasy you only find because someone told you. Low light, a mezcal-forward menu, and conversation-volume music — the antidote to a beach-bar night. The unmarked door sits between two storefronts; the room inside holds maybe thirty people.
TipIf the door's locked, knock once. They open the unmarked side door after 9pm.
Hilltop dinnerHilltop sunset · ocean view
The sunset dinner address. Brukas (locals call it La Bruca) sits on a hill above town with the cleanest west-facing deck in Santa Teresa — wooden tables under a corrugated roof, candles at dusk, the whole Pacific dropping into the horizon while you eat. Pumpkin ravioli, ribeye, a wine list that takes itself seriously. Reservation territory in dry season.
TipBook a 6pm table to catch the sun. Top tables on the rail go first.
Operator site →
Ridge sunsetBar-club · ridge views
Bar-club hybrid perched on the ridge above Mal País, with cocktails on a terrace that catches the Pacific sunset and a small dance floor once the sun's down. Less hectic than La Pasión with views you can't get from town. The early-evening sunset window is the sweet spot.
TipArrive by 6pm for the sunset table — they hold the front row for whoever shows up first.
Day-into-sunsetDay-into-night · DJs midweek
The headline beach club in Santa Teresa — daybed loungers, oceanfront drinks, and DJ sets that take over from sunset. Wednesday is the cult midweek night with a name DJ; Saturdays draw the bigger weekend crowd. The kitchen runs ceviche and tropical cocktails all afternoon, so the day-into-evening transition is the move.
TipWednesdays for the music, Sundays for the slow day-into-sunset.
Cliff poolCliff pool · day-to-sunset
A daytime spot that earns a sunset visit — an infinity pool perched on the cliff above Mal País with drinks all afternoon and the kitchen running through dusk. More day hang than night hang, but the sunset cocktail window catches the same Pacific view La Pasión guests miss.
TipArrive by 4pm for a poolside chair. The seafood ceviche is the dish.
Open-air tikiOpen-air tiki · DJ & dancing
Open-air tiki lounge with a packed cocktail bar and a DJ booth that takes over Saturday nights — DOPO CENA electronic sessions are the cult booking. Tropical decor, tiki masks, the kind of palm-frond-and-string-lights ambience that defines Santa Teresa nightlife. Quieter weeknights, full house on weekends.
TipSaturday for the DOPO CENA electronic sets. Cocktail menu's strong year-round.
Instagram →
The hidden doorHidden · behind Kook's
Tucked behind Kook's restaurant, Goma is the speakeasy you only find because someone told you. Low light, a mezcal-forward menu, and conversation-volume music — the antidote to a beach-bar night. The unmarked door sits between two storefronts; the room inside holds maybe thirty people.
TipIf the door's locked, knock once. They open the unmarked side door after 9pm.
Hilltop dinnerHilltop sunset · ocean view
The sunset dinner address. Brukas (locals call it La Bruca) sits on a hill above town with the cleanest west-facing deck in Santa Teresa — wooden tables under a corrugated roof, candles at dusk, the whole Pacific dropping into the horizon while you eat. Pumpkin ravioli, ribeye, a wine list that takes itself seriously. Reservation territory in dry season.
TipBook a 6pm table to catch the sun. Top tables on the rail go first.
Operator site →
Ridge sunsetBar-club · ridge views
Bar-club hybrid perched on the ridge above Mal País, with cocktails on a terrace that catches the Pacific sunset and a small dance floor once the sun's down. Less hectic than La Pasión with views you can't get from town. The early-evening sunset window is the sweet spot.
TipArrive by 6pm for the sunset table — they hold the front row for whoever shows up first.
Day-into-sunsetDay-into-night · DJs midweek
The headline beach club in Santa Teresa — daybed loungers, oceanfront drinks, and DJ sets that take over from sunset. Wednesday is the cult midweek night with a name DJ; Saturdays draw the bigger weekend crowd. The kitchen runs ceviche and tropical cocktails all afternoon, so the day-into-evening transition is the move.
TipWednesdays for the music, Sundays for the slow day-into-sunset.
Cliff poolCliff pool · day-to-sunset
A daytime spot that earns a sunset visit — an infinity pool perched on the cliff above Mal País with drinks all afternoon and the kitchen running through dusk. More day hang than night hang, but the sunset cocktail window catches the same Pacific view La Pasión guests miss.
TipArrive by 4pm for a poolside chair. The seafood ceviche is the dish.
Open-air tikiOpen-air tiki · DJ & dancing
Open-air tiki lounge with a packed cocktail bar and a DJ booth that takes over Saturday nights — DOPO CENA electronic sessions are the cult booking. Tropical decor, tiki masks, the kind of palm-frond-and-string-lights ambience that defines Santa Teresa nightlife. Quieter weeknights, full house on weekends.
TipSaturday for the DOPO CENA electronic sets. Cocktail menu's strong year-round.
Instagram →
Reset, together
A bamboo shala twelve minutes north. The cold plunge and infrared sauna at re:center. A massage on the deck if you don't want to leave the house.
Adults-only retreatBamboo shala · jungle setting
An adults-only boutique hotel up at Playa Hermosa (12 minutes north) with a bamboo shala nestled in the jungle. The Wellness Center runs daily yoga for all levels plus a small spa program — facials, massage, sound healing. Quieter than the in-town studios and worth the drive.
TipPair a Hermosa surf morning at Mantaraya with an afternoon class. Adults-only — no kids on the property.
Operator site →
Sunrise shalaBeachfront shala · sunrise/sunset
The most-photographed shala in Santa Teresa, perched at beach level on the north end of Playa Santa Teresa. Daily Shakti, Vinyasa, and Slow Flow classes; sunrise practices catch the offshore mornings and an empty beach. Drop-ins $20, class packs available.
TipSunrise classes are the move — get there 10 minutes early. Bring your own mat.
Operator site →
Private at the villaTantra Vinyasa · embodiment
Nancy Goodfellow's House of Shakti is the Santa Teresa studio for deeper practice — Tantra Vinyasa woven with breathwork, the five elements, and the embodied masculine/feminine polarity. Twenty-plus years of teaching distilled into thoughtfully paced classes that feel like a meditation in motion. Yoga teacher trainings and international retreats run year-round.
TipStart with a group class to feel the method, then book a private session at the villa for the personalised version.
Operator site →
Plunge & saunaMost advanced recovery on the peninsula
The most advanced recovery space in Nicoya — a jungle-immersed wellness club with PEMF therapy, infrared saunas, dry sauna, dual cold plunges, red light therapy, professional compression, vibrating platforms, and a 24/7 gym. Day passes ($60–80) include a class plus everything; weekly and monthly memberships available. Yin yoga with Amelina and Elemental Reset (breathwork + sauna + plunge) with Ati are the signature classes.
TipCommunity Sauna nightly at 6pm by reservation. Book the daily HRV test to track your week.
Operator site →
Sunset ridge deckRidge deck · panoramic ocean view
Yoga on a wide deck above the beach with a panoramic Pacific view that doesn't quit. Vinyasa flows, Pilates, and chi kung run daily; the sunset class on the ridge is unbeatable. Shakshuka and kombucha after at the same hotel makes it a half-day plan.
TipGet there 30 minutes before the sunset class for the best mat position on the deck.
Operator site →
Surf-yoga comboCombo · yoga + surf classes
Daily yoga paired with surf lessons — the one-stop wellness morning. Vinyasa flow, restorative, and beach-side functional movement. The combo packages are the cleanest way to learn to surf and recover in the same morning.
TipBook the surf-and-yoga combo if you've never surfed — the lesson plus the recovery flow is exactly what your body needs after.
Operator site →
Adults-only retreatBamboo shala · jungle setting
An adults-only boutique hotel up at Playa Hermosa (12 minutes north) with a bamboo shala nestled in the jungle. The Wellness Center runs daily yoga for all levels plus a small spa program — facials, massage, sound healing. Quieter than the in-town studios and worth the drive.
TipPair a Hermosa surf morning at Mantaraya with an afternoon class. Adults-only — no kids on the property.
Operator site →
Sunrise shalaBeachfront shala · sunrise/sunset
The most-photographed shala in Santa Teresa, perched at beach level on the north end of Playa Santa Teresa. Daily Shakti, Vinyasa, and Slow Flow classes; sunrise practices catch the offshore mornings and an empty beach. Drop-ins $20, class packs available.
TipSunrise classes are the move — get there 10 minutes early. Bring your own mat.
Operator site →
Private at the villaTantra Vinyasa · embodiment
Nancy Goodfellow's House of Shakti is the Santa Teresa studio for deeper practice — Tantra Vinyasa woven with breathwork, the five elements, and the embodied masculine/feminine polarity. Twenty-plus years of teaching distilled into thoughtfully paced classes that feel like a meditation in motion. Yoga teacher trainings and international retreats run year-round.
TipStart with a group class to feel the method, then book a private session at the villa for the personalised version.
Operator site →
Plunge & saunaMost advanced recovery on the peninsula
The most advanced recovery space in Nicoya — a jungle-immersed wellness club with PEMF therapy, infrared saunas, dry sauna, dual cold plunges, red light therapy, professional compression, vibrating platforms, and a 24/7 gym. Day passes ($60–80) include a class plus everything; weekly and monthly memberships available. Yin yoga with Amelina and Elemental Reset (breathwork + sauna + plunge) with Ati are the signature classes.
TipCommunity Sauna nightly at 6pm by reservation. Book the daily HRV test to track your week.
Operator site →
Sunset ridge deckRidge deck · panoramic ocean view
Yoga on a wide deck above the beach with a panoramic Pacific view that doesn't quit. Vinyasa flows, Pilates, and chi kung run daily; the sunset class on the ridge is unbeatable. Shakshuka and kombucha after at the same hotel makes it a half-day plan.
TipGet there 30 minutes before the sunset class for the best mat position on the deck.
Operator site →
Surf-yoga comboCombo · yoga + surf classes
Daily yoga paired with surf lessons — the one-stop wellness morning. Vinyasa flow, restorative, and beach-side functional movement. The combo packages are the cleanest way to learn to surf and recover in the same morning.
TipBook the surf-and-yoga combo if you've never surfed — the lesson plus the recovery flow is exactly what your body needs after.
Operator site →
Adults-only retreatBamboo shala · jungle setting
An adults-only boutique hotel up at Playa Hermosa (12 minutes north) with a bamboo shala nestled in the jungle. The Wellness Center runs daily yoga for all levels plus a small spa program — facials, massage, sound healing. Quieter than the in-town studios and worth the drive.
TipPair a Hermosa surf morning at Mantaraya with an afternoon class. Adults-only — no kids on the property.
Operator site →
Sunrise shalaBeachfront shala · sunrise/sunset
The most-photographed shala in Santa Teresa, perched at beach level on the north end of Playa Santa Teresa. Daily Shakti, Vinyasa, and Slow Flow classes; sunrise practices catch the offshore mornings and an empty beach. Drop-ins $20, class packs available.
TipSunrise classes are the move — get there 10 minutes early. Bring your own mat.
Operator site →
Private at the villaTantra Vinyasa · embodiment
Nancy Goodfellow's House of Shakti is the Santa Teresa studio for deeper practice — Tantra Vinyasa woven with breathwork, the five elements, and the embodied masculine/feminine polarity. Twenty-plus years of teaching distilled into thoughtfully paced classes that feel like a meditation in motion. Yoga teacher trainings and international retreats run year-round.
TipStart with a group class to feel the method, then book a private session at the villa for the personalised version.
Operator site →
Plunge & saunaMost advanced recovery on the peninsula
The most advanced recovery space in Nicoya — a jungle-immersed wellness club with PEMF therapy, infrared saunas, dry sauna, dual cold plunges, red light therapy, professional compression, vibrating platforms, and a 24/7 gym. Day passes ($60–80) include a class plus everything; weekly and monthly memberships available. Yin yoga with Amelina and Elemental Reset (breathwork + sauna + plunge) with Ati are the signature classes.
TipCommunity Sauna nightly at 6pm by reservation. Book the daily HRV test to track your week.
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Sunset ridge deckRidge deck · panoramic ocean view
Yoga on a wide deck above the beach with a panoramic Pacific view that doesn't quit. Vinyasa flows, Pilates, and chi kung run daily; the sunset class on the ridge is unbeatable. Shakshuka and kombucha after at the same hotel makes it a half-day plan.
TipGet there 30 minutes before the sunset class for the best mat position on the deck.
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Surf-yoga comboCombo · yoga + surf classes
Daily yoga paired with surf lessons — the one-stop wellness morning. Vinyasa flow, restorative, and beach-side functional movement. The combo packages are the cleanest way to learn to surf and recover in the same morning.
TipBook the surf-and-yoga combo if you've never surfed — the lesson plus the recovery flow is exactly what your body needs after.
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Questions
Yes. A local chef shops the market, cooks a three- to four-course dinner in your kitchen, and serves on the deck. Costa Rican, Pacific, Italian, or sushi menus. From around $80 per person. Book at least 48 hours ahead so the chef can source the right fish.
Brukas (the cliff-deck restaurant locals call ‘La Bruca’) has the cleanest west-facing view — book a 6pm rail table. Banana Beach is the easy day-into-sunset hang. Vista de Olas is the cliff-pool sunset cocktail. Suck Rock at the south end of Playa Carmen is the walk-up secret.
Mid-range: roughly $4,000–6,000 for two (villa + meals + a couple of activities, seven nights). High-end with a private chef night, a spa day, and a charter: $8,000–12,000. Long-stay discount kicks in at 28 nights.
Late November to mid-December and late April to early May. Both windows have dry weather, smaller crowds than peak Jan–March, and noticeably lower rates. Avoid the third week of December through the second week of January — that's when the town is fullest.
Yes. The third bedroom becomes the closet or office. The deck and pool feel right when it's only two — and the second bedroom often goes unused the whole week.
The lockbox is waiting
Casa Calyx books up six to ten weeks out for the prime couples months. Hold the week first — we'll line up the chef, the table at Convivio, and the spa morning at Blue Mist after you've got the dates.