Site Inspection at Nantipa in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

I have nothing but amazing things to say about Nantipa! Not only is the property absolutely stunning, but the management of Nantipa is nothing short of phenomenal. Their team is very invested in the community - all of the staff are Costa Rican; they work with local organizations for community outreach, and support local tour companies through their concierge desk. The resort does as much as they can to bring local influence into the property & guest experience.

Keeping the surrounding area as intact & as natural as possible is so important to Nantipa’s team. They were told they could remove 40 trees when they were initially building the property, and to this day they have only removed eight, even with their expansion. They also have a beach clean-up station where guests can help keep the beaches beautiful by recycling small pieces of plastic brought to shore by the currents.

Nantipa, a member of Small Luxury Hotels, has 27 rooms and two three-bedroom villas. Manzú, their on-property restaurant, serves up a variety of delicious meals, local-caught seafood & great cocktails. In addition to Manzú, the resort has a pool, the Namu Wellness Center (spa) and Rainforest Yoga Shala where guests can participate in private or group yoga, pilates & personal training sessions.

GETTING THERE

Santa Teresa is not the easiest place to get to, but once you’re there it is 1000% worth it. There are quick, 30 to 40-minute flights from San Jose and Liberia into Cobano on Costa Rica’s two domestic airlines - Sansa & Costa Rica Green Airways. Alternatively, guests can do the drive from SJO or LIR, but it will take five to six hours.

GETTING AROUND

The town of Santa Teresa is pretty walkable - everything is located along one long road, but beware that there aren’t any sidewalks! Since most of the roads around Santa Teresa are dirt and a bit more rugged, ATV & motorcycle rentals are the most popular form of transportation. If you have a bigger group or are more comfortable in a vehicle, car rentals are available as well.

ACCOMMODATIONS

There are four room categories at Nantipa, with most having king beds. All rooms have a local Costa Rican pour-over coffee system, mini fridge, sitting area and a drying rack on the patio for wet bathing suits & towels. Each room has a desk and a closet where you can find a yoga mat, steamer and ironing board. All of the bathrooms are spacious with a double vanity and good lighting.

• Nanku Suites

Brand new and just opened November 2023! These rooms are situated in four two-story buildings, each containing four rooms with garden views. Of the 16 rooms, eight have one king bed & a sofa trundle bed (converts to two twins) and eight have two queens & a sofa trundle bed. These rooms are perfect for families with kids - they are happy to allow young children in a room with their parents, but ask that families with teenagers opt for multiple rooms.

• Manti Bungalows

These adults-only bungalows are spacious & bright with lots of natural lighting. Two of the walls feature floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that can be fully opened to bring the outside in, and each room has a private deck, plunge pool & hammock. The bathrooms have an exterior door that opens up the indoor shower to an outdoor one!

• Ninta Beachfront Bungalows

These rooms are the same as the Manti Bungalows, but they have beachfront access. While they maintain their privacy by having garden views directly outside their large glass doors, they have a small walking path out of their deck area that will bring you right to the beach!

• Beachfront Villas

There are two beachfront villas, each containing three bedrooms. Two of the bedrooms have one king, and the third bedroom has two queen beds. They each have their own living area, kitchen & pool and are located right on the beach. These are perfect for families - they can sleep up to eight guests!

Nantipa is the perfect place for families, friends, and couples (especially honeymooners!) - it is truly a special place! Because Nantipa is a smaller property, room reservations book up far in advance. Reach out as soon as you decide a trip to Costa Rica is in your future so I can start planning your dream vacation!

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Costa Rica. In need of further inspiration? Check out Wendy Wallace’s guide, Family-Friendly 6-Day Costa Rica Itinerary.