Santa Teresa’s beach is long enough that a family can find its own stretch of sand, and Hotel Nantipa is set up to make that easy — beachfront bungalows with room to spread out, a pool away from the main swim break, and a restaurant relaxed enough for kids without losing the quality of the food.
Surf lessons are the obvious activity here, and instructors around town are used to teaching children and first-timers alongside more experienced surfers. Beyond the beach, families tend to build in a horseback ride along the coastline, a visit to nearby Playa Hermosa when Santa Teresa’s break is too strong for younger swimmers, and an afternoon at one of the juice bars and cafes that make up much of the town’s main strip.
We’d recommend a bungalow with a bit of separation between bedrooms for families with more than one child, and at least four nights — the drive in from Liberia or San José takes a few hours, so it’s not a destination that works well as a quick stop.
