Santa Teresa may not be in your radar but, nevertheless it ought to be. The seashore city on the backside of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula has been referred to as the subsequent Tulum, however merely evaluating it to a different lovely place isn’t truthful. It’s a surf mecca identified for epic breaks, however past that, it’s in a Blue Zone—one in every of 5 locations on the earth the place residents are confirmed to stay 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 luxurious inexperienced jungle. “There may be undoubtedly a particular vitality right here that feels virtually magical and attracts fascinating, artistic folks from all around the world.”
Residing in tune with nature was additionally what attracted restaurateur/artist Margriet Zwart. “It is an excellent place to attach with all the weather of untamed, primal residing,” the native Canadian says. And whereas it’s nonetheless pure and untamed—don’t go until you’re snug seeing lizards, frogs, crabs, and bugs frequently—it’s grow to be a globally identified vacation spot for yoga and different wellness modalities, too.
The vitality right here is like an amplifier and permits a wholesome spirit to thrive.
“I believe the vitality 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 neighborhood is crammed with healers whose modalities embody aura and vitality work, therapeutic massage, and crystals. “It’s an excellent place to heal and really feel,” she says.
Close by Montezuma, simply an ATV experience away, is dwelling to spectacular falls. In the event you cozy up with locals, they could simply share their favourite insider sundown spots, breaks, or full-moon meditation suggestions. “There is a huge non secular neighborhood right here,” says Goodfellow, “and individuals 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 searching, 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 haven’t any excuse to not attempt—professional or beginner. The city is teeming with instructors completely satisfied to show a newbie lesson, or you possibly can 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 greatest periods ever at La Lora—a rippable seashore break with occasional barrels—or on the level break of Cabuya. Even should you don’t experience a heat, crystalline wave, it’s good for the soul to start out the day as a viewer on the sand.
On dry land, get your movement 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. Publish-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 kind of bodywork that makes use of therapeutic massage to launch pressure within the smooth tissue of the cranium, backbone, and sacrum, that can 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 may get you thru a surf sesh with out a 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 fabricated 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 presents. In the event you don’t thoughts getting somewhat messy, guide 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 with a purpose to laze about within the sheltered large Jacuzzi surrounded by chirping, squawking jungle. And even higher, guide a bespoke Pilates session with Lucia.
Trip (not-so-wild) horses at sundown
Slip on some leggings and saddle up for an exhilarating horseback experience alongside bucolic seashores and up into the hills above. Ask round for Ollie’s Adventures and speak with proprietor Adrian, who owns probably the most horses of anybody domestically. He’ll guarantee a protected journey via attractive surroundings and, if the necessity arises, will chase off any excited wild stallions which will attempt to hit in your crew of mares (it might 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 actually need to social gathering), however ecstatic dances are the popular night exercise round city. Locals and vacationers alike collect biweekly on Friday nights at Nautilus Boutique Lodge’s treetop shala, which turns into host to a DJ and numerous 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 good for a winter getaway—plus, do not miss what actually occurs at this $15,000 health retreat.
