Last Updated on April 19, 2025

Nantipa, Santa Teresa: A Luxury Resort Worth the Hype

The Nicoya Peninsula isn’t just another tropical getaway, it’s a place where people seem to have unlocked the secret to a longer, healthier life. As one of the world’s five Blue Zones, this sun-soaked stretch of Costa Rica is home to an unusually high number of centenarians, who credit their longevity to a mix of fresh food, strong community, and the easy-going pura vida way of life. And if there’s one place that truly captures that effortless balance, it’s Nantipa – a boutique beachfront retreat in Santa Teresa. With its laid-back luxury and deep connection to nature, it’s the kind of space where time slows down, worries fade, and you can’t help but breathe a little deeper.

You’ll find Nantipa tucked away in Santa Teresa, a former sleepy fishing village that has quietly reinvented itself as one of the Nicoya Peninsula’s most effortlessly cool coastal enclaves, where barefoot luxury meets surf-town soul and the jungle hums just beyond your sun lounger. This is where golden sands stretch for miles, the Pacific rolls in with near-perfect waves, and a bohemian rhythm sets the pace of life. The main road, a dusty strip lined with boutique hotels, organic cafés, and yoga studios, but step onto the beach and it’s all serenity. Despite its growing popularity, Santa Teresa hasn’t lost its wild, unspoiled edge. It’s the kind of place where nature still rules, and at Nantipa, with the ocean at your doorstep, you feel like you’ve found the very best seat in the house.

Getting to Nantipa

The quickest way to reach Nantipa is to fly from San José (SJO) to Tambor or Cobano, followed by a short drive. For a more scenic route, take a ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera and drive along the coast. If you’re up for an adventure, a 4×4 rental lets you tackle the rugged roads from San José. Private shuttles offer a comfortable, hassle-free ride, while budget travellers can opt for the bus. Whichever way you choose, the journey and the bumpy roads are part of the experience.

About Nantipa
Nantipa is part of the Small Luxury Hotels group. Its name, meaning blue, in the native Chorotegan language, reflects both its oceanfront location and its status as part of one of the world’s rare Blue Zones. Here, luxury feels effortless, and sustainability is seamlessly woven into every detail. Nestled along the shores of Santa Teresa, this beachfront retreat feels perfectly in tune with its surroundings, offering airy bungalows and oceanfront villas crafted with local materials and designed for total tranquillity. It embraces the principles of regenerative travel, supporting reforestation, local communities, and a way of life that’s as enriching for its guests as it is for the world around them.

From the moment we arrived at Nantipa, we knew we were in for something special. Warm smiles, cool towels, and a chilled tropical juice offered the perfect welcome after our journey. We were then led along beautifully kept forest paths that meander beneath a dense, leafy canopy – a shaded, serene escape that winds its way through lush gardens before opening out onto the beach and the hotel’s laid-back oceanfront restaurant, Manzú.

Set among the trees, a serene yoga deck, a stunning pool, and the tranquil Numu Wellness Centre invited us to unwind. But first, we headed to our room – our own little slice of paradise.

Accommodation
Our Nanku Suite (‘Nanku’ meaning ‘home’ in the Chorotega language) was tucked into the lush embrace of Nantipa’s gardens, occupying the upper floor of a quietly elegant two-story stone villa. The design strikes that rare balance between effortless modernity and natural charm – muted tones, ash wood, wicker textures, and smooth concrete finishes all coming together in a calm, skimmed-palette space.

Inside, a generous lounge area invites you to linger, with a daybed, a wicker rocking chair, a sleek coffee table, and a mini bar complete with a traditional Costa Rican coffee maker and fresh filters for your morning brew. Thoughtful touches abound – from a clothes steamer and yoga mat to umbrellas neatly tucked into the wardrobe.

A small balcony with a suspended cocoon chair offers a gentle taste of the outdoors. Inside, the handsome bathroom continues the suite’s earthy elegance – sleek and smooth, with polished concrete and stone finishes, a generous double concrete sink, and a walk-in rain shower that may well be the best I’ve ever experienced. Handy extras include a hairdryer and a full set of Nantipa’s own aromatic, all-natural bath products, and even an organic mosquito spray. Everything felt so considered, so quietly luxurious, I could easily have moved in for good.

Things to do at Nantipa

We spent most of our time on the soft, sandy beach just a short walk from the buzz of Santa Teresa – a setting so idyllic you had to occasionally pinch yourself. With rolling waves, swaying palms, and the rhythmic soundtrack of the ocean, it’s the kind of place where hours slip by unnoticed. Sunshades, loungers, bean bags, and hammocks are scattered across the sand, inviting you to sink in and do absolutely nothing – until sunset, when the sky erupts in spectacular colour and the whole scene takes on a dreamlike glow. It’s the kind of cocktail hour I could get used to.

For those feeling a little livelier, there’s table tennis, a giant-sized Connect Four, a bean bag toss, and even a hoop dart board – easy-going fun with your toes still in the sand. When you fancy a break from the beach, the resort’s elongated pool offers an equally pleasurable escape, perfect for a leisurely swim or simply drifting beneath the palms. Morning yoga, included in your stay, was a definite highlight—both calming and energising in equal measure. Classes take place on an open-air deck beneath the trees, where a soft breeze drifts through the canopy, making it the perfect way to ease into the day.

And for the ultimate in relaxation, make your way to Numu Wellness Centre, where a tempting menu of treatments awaits. The spa’s open-air rooms blur the line between indoors and out, with the gentle hum of the forest and the scent of tropical blooms setting a dreamy, meditative tone. I surrendered to a deeply blissful back, shoulder, and neck massage from my therapist, Noemi, followed by a nourishing facial so soothing it had me drifting somewhere between the treetops and the clouds. I floated out on cloud nine.

Dining at Nantipa

Manzú, the resort’s open-air restaurant, sits directly on the beach – a low-slung wood-and-concrete structure crowned with a straw-peaked roof. Wooden tables and sleek black-and-grey chairs are arranged beneath sail-like canopies strung between almond and palm trees, gently misted with cooling sprays of water. It’s a perfectly relaxed setting for barefoot dining, just steps from the sea.

Here, they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a superb selection of fresh, flavour-packed dishes. Breakfast is a relaxed affair – fresh juice, excellent Costa Rican coffee, and a choice of cooked options. My firm favourite was the Chef Toast: a slice of rye piled with, cream cheese creamy avocado, perfectly poached eggs, crispy bacon, and a hit of chilli flakes for just the right amount of kick.

Dinner was nothing short of divine. Fat, juicy prawns arrived bathed in a punchy agua chile sauce—parsley, onion, chilli, olive oil, and lemon combining to give each bite a vibrant citrus lift.

The tuna, caught locally that day, was melt-in-the-mouth tender, served in a delicate ponzu sauce with a whisper of aioli and fine slivers of spring onion for freshness and bite.

We also shared the skirt steak, which was succulent and deeply savoury. It was paired with arroz mimoso, a rich, earthy mushroom and onion risotto-style dish. Intensely flavoured, buttery and herb-laced, the rice was topped with a scatter of peppery arugula, adding just the right contrast to the dish’s velvety depth.

More about Nantipa

While you may prefer to unwind in the serene sanctuary of Nantipa, the concierge is always on hand to curate a range of exciting experiences. Whether it’s a surf lesson, horseback riding Sabanero style, whale watching, fishing, zip-lining, or exploring scenic trails, hanging bridges, and waterfalls, there’s no shortage of adventures to help you fully embrace the beauty of the region.

Staying at Nantipa is more than just a beach escape – it’s a chance to tap into the laid-back rhythm and natural beauty of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula. Famed for its surf, wildlife, and lush landscapes, this stretch of coastline embodies the spirit of pura vida, a national philosophy of gratitude, well-being, and living life to the fullest.

From the warmth of the staff to the sound of the waves and the scent of tropical blooms, Nantipa perfectly captures the spirit of its surroundings. It’s the kind of place that stays with you, long after the tan fades and the suitcase is unpacked.

Rates: Rooms start from $385 per night for a Nanku Suite. 
Manti Bungalow: from $450 per night 
Ninta Beachfront Bungalow: from $520 per night
Three-Bedroom Beachfront Villa: from $1,600 per night

Address: de, Main Street, Puntarenas Province, Cobano, Costa Rica
Phone: +1 855-626-8472

 www.nantipa.com