Toward Paquera, Curú is a longer day outing with forest trails, mangroves and coastal habitat. Ask the refuge which routes are currently open and appropriate for your group. Some trails may close, and wildlife sightings depend on conditions.
Isla Tortuga
A planned boat excursion into the Gulf of Nicoya can include Tortuga Island’s beach and nearby snorkeling areas. This is a longer outing, not a place within Santa Teresa town. Confirm the departure point, sea conditions, flotation equipment and participant requirements with the operator.
Caring for the Santa Teresa Coast
Nicoya Peninsula Waterkeeper works with local communities on water quality and coastal stewardship around Santa Teresa and neighboring beaches. Ask about current organized opportunities to learn or help. Use local advice and recent information when planning time near creeks, river mouths and the sea.
Playa Grande – Montezuma
A beach-and-forest walk north of Montezuma leads toward a longer stretch of sand. Plan for the walk out and back, heat and tide conditions. This is Playa Grande near Montezuma, not the beach beside Tamarindo.
Playa Nosara
A darker-sand beach near the Nosara River mouth forms part of the protected Ostional coastline. Observe shorebirds, sand patterns and the changing river-meets-ocean landscape from a permitted access point, keeping well clear of the estuary channel.
Playa Garza
South of Guiones, Garza combines a coastal community with a fishing-bay setting. Watch the boats and notice the relationship between the village and the sea. Confirm the exact meeting point when joining a boat trip; beach conditions vary.
Playa Ostional
Nearby Ostional is a sea-turtle nesting beach in Santa Cruz canton. Olive ridley turtles sometimes arrive in large nesting events called arribadas. These follow nature’s timing, so arrange visits through current refuge guidance rather than expecting a guaranteed sighting.
Playa San Juanillo
A coastal outing north of Nosara leads to San Juanillo’s small bays, rocky points and beach scenery. This nearby community is in Santa Cruz canton. Check road, tide and sea conditions locally and leave shells and marine life in place.
Playa Rosada / Cuarzo
Near Garza, Playa Cuarzo is also called Playa Rosada for the subtle pink tones in its sand. Look closely at the shore’s changing colors without collecting shells or stones. Ask locally about the permitted approach and tide-dependent access.
Playa Guiones
A broad Pacific beach known for its surf and open shoreline. Walk through established beach entrances and watch the changing wave patterns from dry sand. Ask a local instructor about conditions before entering the water.