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“Everyone comes here to surf”— a sentiment that was echoed over and over again during my six days in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. It’s on the Nicoya Peninsula, which was once identified as one of the world’s five “blue zones,” where the highest concentrations of centenarians reside. Each zone has shrunk as the years pass, and now Santa Teresa is just south of the highest populations of individuals that live to be 100 years or more.
The key to their longevity is living a purposeful life (plan de vida), community, physical activity is ingrained in their day-to-day life (less organized exercise), and a nutrient-dense traditional diet, much of which exists in part due to lagging modernization.
In Santa Teresa the roads are largely filled with ATVs, motorbikes and small diesel 4X4s in the tiny surf town of just 3,000 people. Playa La Lora is popular for surfers because of its consistent break and diverse waves across all tides. Visitors and transplants alike largely go for a more bohemian approach to life filled with surfing, yoga and pilates, weekly evening surf competitions and bonfires on the beach.
And, there’s a brand new hotel that just opened right on La Lora surf break. Sister property to Nosara, Costa Rica’s Sendero, Hotel Fermata opened in December 2025. Here’s how to embrace pura vida and a healthier lifestyle during your visit, and hopefully, you’ll take home some of the spirit of Santa Teresa.
We like
- Everything you need is right on the property.
- The beds and pillows are amazing.
- The staff is very friendly and personable.
- Fun bi-weekly surf competitions take place on the beach directly in front of the hotel.
We don't like
- It’s very far from the airport.
- Food and drink prices are comparable to mid-sized to big American cities.
Everything You Need is Right on the Property
Sometimes it seems like the harder to access a place, the better it is. Hotel Fermata is a four and half hour drive from the nearest international airport. You can either make that drive or take a charter plane with another 30 to 35 minutes in the car, but the reward pays off in dividends.
Reclaimed brick and wood for the centerpiece of the property. The front desk, restaurant and bar are all open air. You can hear and see the ocean as soon as you check in, a welcome reprieve from your long journey. There are also a variety of room set-ups whether you’re venturing out with a partner, a group of friends, kids in tow or need a little extra space in a casita.
There’s a salt water pool beside the beach club house and bar area, a venue they’ve already started to host intimate soirees in.
The decor commits to earthy neutrals to really allow the tropical plant life to shine, and there’s an extensive book collection within rooms and sprinkled throughout the property with everything featuring everything from Jodi Picoult novels and mid-century modern architecture to iconic surf imagery.
What to Do While You’re There
Six days a week, Hotel Fermata offers 7 a.m. daily yoga with their in-house instructors. There’s drip coffee and different treats like house-made bread and fruits available to eat before the session. I thought this was a little early for vacation, but it’s perfectly timed for temperature and comfort. Just after 8, you can already feel the heat rising and direct sun starts to make its way on to the property.
Post vinyasa, breakfast will be necessary. Options include acai or yogurt with fresh local fruits, huevos rancheros or pancakes and plenty of fresh juices and smoothies. It’s a leisurely experience with plush pillows at your seats to lounge on while you watch the start of the day unfold in front of you.
Fermata also has an on-property surf school and board rentals. Chorotegas Surf School offers lessons both at Hotel Fermata and Sendero. It’s run by both professional surfers and guys that grew up surfing on La Lora, offering lessons for all ages and experience levels. You might even see some of the Fermata’s team out on the line before their work day starts – a perfect pre-work ritual.
The property also has ATVs to rent. A quick instruction and you can take them out to surf shops, pilates studios like Bodykult, or south to the Malpais tide pools. (You can also access them just by walking down the beach as well.) While it’s easy to stay on the property and take it slow, there’s also a variety of day trips like Montezuma Waterfall and Isla Tortuga not far from the hotel.
In Conclusion
Travelers wanting paved streets or the big box, traditional resort feel should look elsewhere. Hotel Fermata is where you come to get off your phone, take care of yourself and indulge in a more purposeful and connective stay. The best part about coming to Hotel Fermata is how easy it is to access the Santa Teresa lifestyle just footsteps to the beach at all times. While you may not be able to take up surfing daily at home, you can make changes to embody the slower, healthier lifestyle at Hotel Fermata.
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