What’s On Santa Teresa – The Ultimate Guide to What’s Happening in Costa Rica’s Surf Town

What’s On Santa Teresa is not a typical events calendar. It’s a question travelers ask when they want to understand what’s really happening in this laid-back surf town in Costa Rica – from daily surf sessions and sunset gatherings to live music, food, and spontaneous local experiences.

If you’re searching for what’s on in Santa Teresa, you’re probably not looking for a traditional events calendar. You’re looking to understand what’s happening, where energy is flowing, and how to plug into the rhythm of the town.

This guide is designed to help you do exactly that.

What’s On Santa Teresa Right Now?

In many destinations, “what’s on” means concerts, festivals, ticketed events, and fixed schedules. Santa Teresa works differently.

Here, what’s on is:

• A surf session before sunrise
• A smoothie bowl that turns into a long conversation
• A DJ set that starts as sunset background music and ends as a full beach gathering
• A yoga class that happens because enough people showed up

Santa Teresa is dynamic. It doesn’t announce itself loudly – it invites you to pay attention.

The Daily Rhythm of Santa Teresa

To understand what’s happening in Santa Teresa, you first need to understand how a typical day unfolds.

Early Morning: Surf, Coffee & Quiet Energy

The day starts early. Before the heat, before traffic, before noise.

What’s on:

• Dawn patrol surf sessions along Playa Santa Teresa and Playa Carmen
• Runners and walkers along the main road
• Cafés opening early, filled with surfers reviewing wave conditions

Mornings are calm, focused, and centered around the ocean. Even if you don’t surf, watching the lineup at sunrise is part of the experience.

Midday: Slow Pace & Exploration

By late morning, the sun is up and the pace slows.

This is when people:

• Move between cafés, co-working spots, and beaches
• Explore different parts of town
• Run errands or plan the evening ahead

Santa Teresa is stretched along a long road, which means midday movement matters. Many people use this time to ride between spots, explore north and south, and see what’s unfolding organically.

Sunset: The Social Peak

If there’s one thing always on in Santa Teresa, it’s sunset.

No matter the day, people gather along the beach, drinks in hand, boards under arms, cameras mostly forgotten.

What you might find:

• DJs playing low-key sets that grow as the crowd grows
• Impromptu fire shows
• Musicians with guitars and percussion
• Beach bars filling naturally, not forcefully

Sunset is when Santa Teresa becomes fully social, without feeling busy.

Night: Music, Food & Community

Evenings don’t always go late, but they go deep.

What’s on at night:

• Live music at restaurants and bars
• DJ nights at select venues
• Dinners that stretch for hours
• Conversations that matter

Santa Teresa nightlife is not about clubs. It’s about atmosphere, connection, and timing.

Weekly Events That Shape Santa Teresa

Although the town avoids rigid scheduling, certain weekly rhythms are well-known among locals.

If you’re asking what’s on Santa Teresa this week, these patterns are a good place to start.

Live Music Nights

Several venues host:

• Acoustic sets
• Reggae, Latin, and electronic music nights
• Traveling artists passing through

These nights aren’t always promoted weeks in advance. Often, you hear about them the same day.

Wellness & Yoga Events

Santa Teresa is a global wellness hub.

What’s on in the wellness space:

• Daily yoga classes
• Breathwork and meditation sessions
• Full moon or new moon ceremonies
• Movement and embodiment workshops

Many of these are drop-in friendly and built around community rather than performance.

Community & Pop-Up Events

Some of the best moments happen without labels:

• Art pop-ups
• Movie nights
• Charity events
• Surf film screenings

Staying curious is often more valuable than planning ahead.

Food & Coffee Culture: Always Part of What’s On

Food is one of the most consistent answers to what’s on in Santa Teresa.

Morning & Breakfast Scene

Mornings revolve around:

• Specialty coffee
• Smoothie bowls
• Fresh fruit and healthy breakfasts

Cafés become informal meeting points and planning hubs for the day.

Afternoon Bites & Casual Eating

Lunch is often light and flexible:

• Tacos
• Bowls
• Fresh fish

People eat when they’re hungry, not when the clock says so.

Dinner & Night Eating

Evenings bring a shift:

• Restaurants fill slowly
• Groups form organically
• Meals become experiences

Dining out in Santa Teresa often includes music, social energy, and no rush to leave.

Exploring Santa Teresa Beyond One Location

One of the biggest misconceptions about Santa Teresa is that it’s “small.”

In reality, distances add up. Surf breaks, cafés, yoga studios, and event spots are spread across north, center, and south.

That’s why how you move is tightly connected to what you experience.

Many visitors realize quickly that relying only on walking or taxis limits spontaneity. Being able to move freely often determines whether you catch that sunset set, late dinner, or surprise gathering.

Moving With the Flow: A Local Way to See What’s On

Locals don’t plan their entire day in advance. They leave room for what appears.

Shared Electric bikes have become part of that lifestyle, offering flexibility without noise or hassle. Being able to ride from one side of town to the other easily changes how you engage with Santa Teresa.

With Bimba, movement becomes simple:

• Ride to the beach, then to dinner, then home
• Stop anywhere without committing to a full rental
• Move with the day instead of managing logistics

It’s not about transportation – it’s about freedom.

Spontaneity Is the Real Event

Santa Teresa rewards those who leave space.

Some of the best answers to what’s on Santa Teresa tonight aren’t posted anywhere. They’re discovered by:

• Riding past a place and hearing music
• Following people toward the beach
• Saying yes to last-minute invitations

The town’s charm lies in what’s unplanned.

Why Santa Teresa Feels Different From Other Beach Towns

Many beach destinations offer attractions. Santa Teresa offers participation.

You’re not watching events – you’re part of them.

There’s no pressure to consume. No rush to tick boxes. No feeling of missing out if you slow down.

This is why so many people extend their stay, and why others leave planning to return.

Seasonal Changes & What’s On Throughout the Year

Santa Teresa changes with the seasons, but never loses momentum.

High Season

• More people
• More energy
• More frequent events

Green Season

• Fewer crowds
• Deeper community feel
• Spontaneous, intimate gatherings

Both seasons offer their own version of what’s on.

Tips for Staying Connected to What’s Happening

To stay in tune with Santa Teresa:

• Follow local spots on Instagram
• Talk to café staff
• Watch where people gather at sunset
• Stay open to changing plans

Rigid schedules don’t serve you here. Awareness does.

Experiencing Santa Teresa Like a Local

Locals don’t ask what’s on – they move until they find it.

They surf when waves are good. Eat when hungry. Show up where energy feels right.

Having the freedom to move easily allows you to do the same.

Whether you’re heading to a sunrise surf, a pop-up event, or a quiet beach at sunset, the experience feels effortless when transportation fades into the background.

Final Thoughts: What’s Always On in Santa Teresa

If you’re searching for What’s On Santa Teresa, here’s the most honest answer:

Something is always happening.

You just have to be present enough to notice it.

Santa Teresa doesn’t try to impress. It invites you in, lets you explore, and rewards curiosity.

Ride slowly. Stay open. Follow the rhythm.

That’s where the best moments are found.