Nantipa

On a hillside above the Pacific at Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula, Nantipa occupies a position where the forest meets one of Costa Rica’s most celebrated surf beaches, with a long right-hand break that draws surfers from around the world and a quality of sunset light across the Pacific that draws everyone else. The 29 villas and bungalows are arranged through a lush garden of tropical trees, with the design language drawing on traditional Tico coastal architecture — natural wood, thatched roofs, and open-air living areas — refined to a standard that gives each accommodation a residential quality without sacrificing the sensory connection to the Pacific coast environment. Direct beach access connects the property to the surf break and the tidal pools at Santa Teresa’s southern end.

The restaurant El Nantipa draws on the Pacific seafood of the Nicoya coast and the organic produce of the Nicoya Peninsula’s agricultural communities, with a menu whose simplicity reflects the quality of ingredients available in what is consistently ranked as one of the world’s Blue Zones of longevity — a region where diet, lifestyle, and social connection produce exceptional health outcomes in the resident population. Surf lessons, yoga on the beach deck, guided snorkelling at the nearby Tortuga Islands, and zip-lining through the coastal forest are among the activities most frequently arranged through the concierge team.

Nantipa’s relationship with the Santa Teresa community is built on sourcing commitments that prioritise local fishermen, farmers, and artisans, and the hotel’s environmental practices — grey water recycling, solar energy, and the use of native plants in the garden — reflect the Nicoya Peninsula’s own culture of environmental consciousness, which is among the most genuinely embedded in Costa Rica’s diverse network of sustainability commitments.