Restaurants

Restaurants and Nightlife

There aren’t many places in Costa Rica where you will find such a wide range of food choices like in Santa Teresa. The culinary scene ranges from gourmet restaurants and beach lounges to funky street side stalls where you eat for little money.

Restaurant in Santa Teresa

At most places you will dine “al fresco”, which is just what you want on a balmy, tropical night. No need to bring extra clothes for going out… in Santa Teresa and Mal Pais dress code is very casual.

The yoga and health scene in Santa Teresa ensures many vegan and health oriented eateries, while the multi-ethnic composition of the village adds flavors from all over the world. For a typical Costa Rican dish go to a soda, a simple restaurant, serving typical local food. The best deal in a soda is normally a “Casado”, a plate of rice, beans, salad and a serving of fish or meat.

Bars and Nightlife in Santa Teresa

Here some of the most popular venues for going out at night:

A refined beach restaurant with French cuisine, the restaurant Playa Carmen throws thundering rave parties on weekends. International Djs spin electronic music and there is dancing under the palm trees until early morning hours.
The Drift Bar is a vegetarian restaurant and bar, specializing in creative cocktails made of freshly squeezed fruits. The Drift Bar has a casual, cosmopolitan flair and is located by a former warehouse which now houses an art gallery.
Further on the beach of Playa Carmen is Banana Beach, another popular hang-out in Santa Teresa. Sip your craft beer or cocktail while watching the beach life and surfers. Banana Beach often hosts events, from bikini contests to surf competitions.
A long time favorite for sundowners on the beach and nightlife is Ranchos Itauna, a Brazilian-inspired restaurant and lounge. Legendary for it‘s full moon parties, Itauna also hosts the Deep Tuesdays with dancing to electronic music, backed by a bonfire on the beach.
Tipsy is an elegant wine bar that attracts the cultured set of Santa Teresa. It‘s most popular on Thursday night when they have life music for entertainment.
Thursday nights the party scene of Santa Teresa flocks to Kika and their funky rock and reggae band. The atmosphere is wild and pure fun for all ages, and there is hardly anybody who doesn‘t dance to the favorite hits they cover.
A few steps from Kika, La Lora Amarilla is a traditional, local dancehall that heats up on Saturday night. There is often some popular Costa Rican life band playing and you can dance to salsa and merengue music.