Santa Teresa isn't only about golden sunsets and world-class surf. Tucked into the Nicoya Peninsula, where dry tropical forest meets the Pacific, this stretch of coastline is one of Costa Rica's richest pockets of biodiversity. For travelers who love nature, wildlife watching near Nantipa is one of the most rewarding ways to experience Costa Rica beyond the beach chair.
Howler Monkeys in the Nearby Forest
While Nantipa sits right on the beach, its wild neighbors aren't far away. Just beyond the property, along the forested trails that lead into the hills surrounding Santa Teresa, howler monkeys are a common sight and, even more often, a common sound, their deep calls echoing through the canopy at dawn and dusk. A short walk or an easy guided outing into the area is often all it takes to spot them in their natural habitat.
Birdwatching in a Blue Zone Paradise
Santa Teresa's mix of forest, mangrove, and coastline makes the wider area a magnet for wildlife enthusiasts. Early morning walks into the surrounding nature can reveal scarlet macaws soaring overhead, pelicans gliding along the coastline, colorful tropical birds, iguanas basking in the sun, and sometimes giant anteaters in protected areas. For a deeper immersion, guided wildlife and birdwatching tours into Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve or Curú Wildlife Refuge showcase the region's extraordinary biodiversity, all set against the backdrop of the Nicoya Peninsula's famous Blue Zone landscape.
Sea Turtles of the Nicoya Peninsula
Few wildlife experiences compare to watching a sea turtle hatchling make its first journey to the ocean. Nearby, the Cirenas conservation project works to protect nesting turtles along the peninsula and offers visitors the chance to learn about their vital work firsthand. Depending on the season, guests can witness nesting or hatching events, a moving, once-in-a-lifetime encounter that connects travelers to the region's conservation story.
From the calls of the forest to the quiet arrival of a sea turtle on the sand, wildlife is simply part of everyday life on the Nicoya Peninsula. Nantipa, A Tico Beach Experience, is the perfect place to enjoy it all, a barefoot luxury retreat where guests can start the day with the playful sight of howler monkeys nearby and end it immersed in the natural rhythm of Costa Rica. Here, every stay is an invitation to slow down and reconnect with nature and wildlife in one of the country's most special corners.