Where

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Why now

If you’re one of those people looking for the perfect beach town
and feel that Tulum and even Sayulita have been bastardised by the
disingenuous (just saying) then Santa Teresa is your perfect
destination – an enchanting place which has reached the apex of
perfection balancing rusticity and coolness. It’s a hippie surf
town with ridiculous beaches, great waves and a handful of really
good restaurants and bars. It’s also filled with beautiful
people.

When to go

November to January are the best months to go. You might get
some rain, but the weather is warm and the surrounding jungle a
vibrant green from the wet season. If you simply can’t hack
mosquitoes or rain go from February to April, but be warned: the
temperatures soar into the mid-30s come afternoon (with humidity)
and can be very uncomfortable unless you’re in water or an
air-conditioned room.

Who to take with you

Your partner or a small group of friends – this is the kind of
place where you’ll be making memories, so have people you enjoy
around you.

Most likely to bump into…

Gisele Bündchen motoring her kids around on a quad bike or her
husband Tom Brady surfing. They own a house overlooking Playa
Hermosa.

Don’t miss

Surfing. It sounds obvious, but even if you aren’t a surfer book
a class and get in the water. You’ll find it’s easier than what you
thought. Also dinner at Koji’s, a tapas-style Japanese restaurant.
At nightfall you’ll find it draped in fairy lights, a wooden refuge
of deliciousness on the side of the road.

An essential you need to bring with you?

A bandana to cover your mouth while you’re riding around on your
quad – most of the roads aren’t paved and in the dry season a ride
can get very dusty.

How to get there

Fly into Costa Rica’s capital San José and then take a
connecting flight with Sansa or Nature Air. Alternatively you can
drive but you’ll need a connecting ferry and the roads aren’t
particularly good. British Airways now
flies direct from London Gatwick.