Beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula: Destinations near Santa Teresa

Discover four beautiful, pristine beaches with unique landscapes. On the Nicoya Peninsula, less than 45 minutes from Santa Teresa, you can find four magical and little-explored spots.

When I first visited the town of Santa Teresa in the Cóbano district, my initial thought was, “I could stay here forever.”

The white sand beaches are so extensive that they seem to form a single endless strip, with multicolored landscapes, palm trees, and dozens of surfers—a major attraction of the area.

However, after a week there, I decided to venture away from the center of the community to explore other regions that are rarely talked about but are well known by locals, who describe them as small hidden paradises.

I took my car and mapped out a different route, exploring four beautiful beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula. This small region, visible on the map of Costa Rica, is often visited only for Santa Teresa.

However, my goal was to discover four very different beach spots: Blanca, Mangos, Quesera, and Cuevas (also known as ‘Suecos beach’).

Join me in discovering these spots!

Blanca

I arrived at this beach located in the Paquera district purely by chance, but it was a pleasant surprise. I got lost on the way, as instead of turning left to stay on the planned route, I went straight and ended up at Playa Blanca.

This spot offers gentle waves and a coast surrounded by trees and palm trees that provide shade near the shore. I really enjoyed the solitude of the destination and the islets visible in the distance.

To avoid confusion, it’s good to clarify that there are multiple spots named Playa Blanca in Costa Rica, but this is the only one that belongs to the Nicoya Peninsula.

Upon arriving at the beach, you will find a restaurant just a few meters from the shore. There is also parking available, and some fishing boats float on the sea. The beach is mostly deserted, as few people know of its existence and often confuse it with other similarly named destinations.

You can reach Playa Blanca by taking the Paquera ferry, which takes about an hour and a half to cross to the other side of the coast.

Once you cross by ferry to Paquera, you will need to drive for about 30 minutes to reach Playa Blanca. Part of the road to the beach is gravel, and the other part is paved. The road is in poor condition, but if you drive carefully, you can reach it in a car. I highly recommend it!

Mangos

Mangos is a quiet destination with practically no waves, hidden deep within the Nicoya Peninsula, near the center of Paquera town.

The beach is divided into two parts by some islets, which also decorate the landscape. It is a grey sand spot surrounded by trees, providing shade for a pleasant day.

Despite its division, the smaller area is the better option, as it has fewer rocks and more shade.

In front of Playa Mangos, there is space available for parking. This spot is ideal for peaceful and quiet swimming, as it is mostly deserted.

Quesera

A magazine-worthy spot that combines white sand with a turquoise-colored sea.

The crystal-clear water reflects the seabed because the waves are barely noticeable. Quesera is one of those pristine places that belong to Paquera, where dozens of palm trees and trees provide shade.

In front of the coast, you can see the ‘Tortuga’ islands, which can be reached by boat. It is also a magical place to enjoy sunsets.

Quesera is part of the Curú Wildlife Refuge, a private conservation center that requires an entrance fee. After paying for your ticket, you will drive about 2 kilometers to the center of the refuge, where there is a souvenir shop, a restaurant, and a small store offering tours.

Inside the refuge, you can experience Quesera in three different ways:

1. Visit the store and book a boat tour; the trip takes less than 10 minutes and is beautiful, as the area is surrounded by the Gulf of Nicoya, known for its intense sea colors.
2. You can also hike along a vegetation-lined trail, a 2-hour trek to Quesera.
3. Rent a kayak and paddle for about 20 minutes; rentals are available at the same place where you book the boat tour.

Cuevas

At this hidden beach with white sand and calm waves, you can enjoy snorkeling into the caves formed on one side of the beach. It is a unique and must-visit spot when traveling to Santa Teresa, a beautiful beach town just a few kilometers from Cuevas that offers all kinds of services. Although the road is in very bad condition, this spot its worth it to visit.

Tourists can snorkel in the small caves that you will notice as soon as you arrive. Peek inside to see the entire area, as they are hidden beneath a giant rock. In Cuevas, the sea is absolutely clean and turquoise, with moderate waves. However, be cautious as there are currents.

Is it difficult to get there? It might take some time, but you’ll find it’s simple. You need to drive to Malpaís and follow the road to the end. It is a long and damaged road that runs along the sea. When you reach the end of the road, you will see another path to the left; this is the final stretch to Cuevas and it is in poor condition.

That´s why it is preferable to visit in a 4×4. After navigating this rough section, you will find a parking area, a sign with the beach’s name, and the entrance to a trail.

Walk for about 300 meters along this trail to reach Cuevas. Remember that locals also know this destination as Playa ‘Suecos’.

But before visiting Cuevas, you first need to reach Santa Teresa.

It’s very simple. First, take the Paquera ferry from the El Carmen neighborhood in Puntarenas, very close to the city center. After a journey of almost an hour and a half, you will arrive in Paquera, from where you will drive to Santa Teresa.

From Paquera to Santa Teresa by car takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Some parts of the road are rocky and others are gravel. These roads are dusty and somewhat uncomfortable.

Cuevas is the best beach in the area known as Malpaís, which borders Santa Teresa and is also notable for offering multiple accommodation options.