Santa Teresa and Mal País sit at the southwestern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, connected by a single unpaved road that winds past surf shops, yoga shalas, and an ever-growing collection of restaurants catering to the international crowd that has made this corner of Costa Rica home. The two towns blur together — Santa Teresa to the north is the busier, more developed hub; Mal País to the south is quieter and more local. Together, they form one of the best surf-and-work destinations in Central America, attracting a global community of remote workers who come for the waves and stay for the lifestyle.
The Surf
Let me get this out of the way first, because it is the reason most people end up here: the surf in Santa Teresa is consistent, accessible, and genuinely fun. The main beach break works at most tides, with the best waves typically at mid to low tide. You can surf year-round, though the biggest swells come May through November. There are waves for beginners and intermediates right in front of town, and more challenging breaks at Mal País and Playa Hermosa for experienced surfers. Dawn patrol at 5:30am is a daily ritual — there is nothing like catching a few waves before opening your laptop at 8am.
Working Remotely from Santa Teresa
The coworking infrastructure has caught up with the demand. Selina Santa Teresa was the first major coworking space in town and remains the go-to for budget-conscious nomads. Outsite offers a more curated coliving-and-coworking experience for those willing to pay more. SkyLoft is one of the newer spaces with fast internet and ocean views. Seas The Day rounds out the dedicated coworking options.
The café scene is equally strong. Nordico Coffee House is my top pick for working sessions — great coffee, air conditioning, and reliable WiFi. The Roastery has the best coffee in town (roasted on site) with a two-hour WiFi limit that forces productive focus. Café Social and Cafca Café are solid alternatives for variety.
For a deeper dive into workspace options, read our full Santa Teresa coworking guide.
The Community
What makes Santa Teresa special is not any single space or amenity — it is the community. The town attracts a young, adventurous, health-conscious crowd from around the world. Weekly events, surf sessions, yoga classes, and sunset gatherings create constant opportunities to connect. WiFi Tribe runs month-long chapters here with curated groups of remote workers. Stolas Guesthouse offers more independent coliving with an international community. Within a week of arriving, you will know people — that is just how the town works.
Mal País: The Quieter Alternative
If Santa Teresa feels too busy (and it can, especially in high season), Mal País offers a slower pace just ten minutes south. The surf is often less crowded, the restaurants are more local, and the accommodation is cheaper. The trade-off is fewer coworking options and a longer ride to the main shops and nightlife in Santa Teresa. Some nomads split the difference — living in the quieter stretches between the two towns and riding an ATV to Santa Teresa’s coworking spaces when they need them.
Practical Details
Getting here involves either a ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera (about 1.5 hours) followed by a 90-minute drive, or a puddle-jumper flight from San José to the Tambor airstrip (30 minutes, then a 45-minute drive). The roads are rough — an ATV or 4×4 is strongly recommended, and both are available to rent locally. The nearest real town with a bank, hospital, and well-stocked supermarket is Cobano, about 30 minutes away.
Budget $2,000-3,000/month for a comfortable lifestyle including accommodation, food, coworking, and the inevitable ATV rental. Internet has improved but remains the weakest link — always verify WiFi speed at your accommodation before committing. A local Kolbi SIM card for mobile backup is essential.
For the full picture of what Costa Rica offers remote workers, explore our coworking directory and read the digital nomad guide.