How Many Days in Santa Teresa? 3, 5 or 7 Days

The three day trip we would recommend to a friend

If you only have three full days, we would not try to see everything. We would give you one day to feel Santa Teresa, one long excursion day and one day to see Montezuma and Cabuya.

Day 1: Santa Teresa, surf and sunset

Start with coffee or breakfast at one of the cafés you like, then go straight to the beach. If you surf, take a lesson or paddle out according to the conditions. If you do not surf, this is still a good morning to walk the beach and get a feel for the town.

Have lunch around midday, rest during the hottest hours, then head back out around 3 or 4 in the afternoon for sunset.

At night, choose dinner based on what you feel like eating. Pizza, sushi, local food, grilled meat and more casual options are all easy to find. If you still have energy, check what is happening at the local bars.

Day 2: Isla Tortuga and bioluminescence

Keep the morning free for the beach or a surf session. In the afternoon, the Isla Tortuga, sunset and bioluminescence tour combines time on the island, sunset in Tambor Bay and bioluminescence after dark.

You will be tired at the end, but you get two very different experiences in one day. If you prefer a full day on the island, book the morning Isla Tortuga tour and do bioluminescence on another night.

Day 3: Montezuma, Cabuya and one last sunset

Go to Montezuma in the morning and visit the waterfall area. Spend some time around Montezuma and Cabuya, then head back toward Santa Teresa around midday.

Finish with lunch, another surf session if you want one, or just one last sunset.

When would we skip Isla Tortuga on a three day trip?

If your main reason for coming is surfing, relaxing, restaurants and Santa Teresa itself, keep Day 2 local. Isla Tortuga is worth the full day when the boat trip, snorkeling and time on the island are a priority for you.

What changes with five days?

Five days gives you breathing room. You can separate the big excursions, add more surf or beach mornings and still have time when you do not need a plan.

We would add two days. One at Curú Wildlife Refuge, an easy wildlife day trip from Santa Teresa. The other in the north: Playa Hermosa, Manzanillo, a casado at Soda Atardecer Dorado and a horseback ride to close the day. The natural pools between Hermosa and Manzanillo only appear at low tide.

What changes with seven days?

Seven days lets you enjoy Santa Teresa the way we think it feels best, without trying to fill every hour. Add Playa Hermosa, Manzanillo, Curú, another surf day or a day with no schedule.

With the extra days we would do a Malpaís day: the zipline in the morning, then Mar Azul and snorkeling at Playa Suecos at low tide. And a second Montezuma day on foot: Piedra Colorada is about 20 minutes north of town, and Playa Grande is 30 to 45 minutes, with no services, so bring water and shoes.

Two rules we use for any length

Put boat trips in the first days. If weather cancels one, you still have time to reschedule before you leave. And keep one day with no plan, because the weather or the ocean will move something.

Before filling your calendar, read our Isla Tortuga guide and bioluminescence guide.