Esencia Hotel & Villas
Garden villas and pool rooms in Santa Teresa
Esencia Hotel & Villas is a mid-size hotel in Santa Teresa with 10 private villas and 8 pool-view rooms set around a large pool and gardens. Several villas have kitchenettes, and the beach, shops and restaurants are within walking distance. It suits couples, friends and families who want a simple, self-catering base close to town.
At a glance
- Location
- Santa Teresa north, Santa Teresa, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
- Type
- Hotel, Villas
- Best for
- Couples, friends and families who like to self-cater
- Setting
- Gardens on a slope, a short walk from Santa Teresa beach
- Rooms
- 10 independent villas and 8 pool-view rooms
- In the rooms
- A/C, safe, hot water, private porch; kitchenettes in the villas
- Facilities
- Pool, sun deck, parking, wifi in common areas
- Food
- No restaurant on site, several nearby
- Official website
- esenciahotel.com
What it's like
Esencia Hotel & Villas is a garden hotel on a hillside in Santa Teresa, built in a Mediterranean style with warm colors, lots of light and plenty of tropical wood. The units are spread through the trees and flowering plants around a large, free-form pool with a sun deck. It's an easygoing place: there's no restaurant, bar scene or spa building, just rooms, gardens and the pool, with the beach and town a short walk away.
Guests often mention the pool and the walkable location. The grounds sit on a slope, and the path up from the parking area is steep and stony in places, so pack light or ask for help with bags. Noise from nearby bars has come up in some reviews, so if you're a light sleeper, ask which unit is quietest.
Rooms and villas
There are 2 main types of accommodation:
- Villas: 10 independent villas with garden-view porches and furnished kitchenettes. The Open Space Villa has a king bed and 2 single beds in one room. The Two Bedroom Villa has a double bed in the main bedroom and 2 twins in the second.
- Pool View Rooms: 8 rooms with a king bed or 2 separate beds, a coffee maker, a fridge and a porch facing the pool.
All units have air conditioning, a private bathroom with hot water and a safe. Teak chairs, furniture and decks made of local hardwoods give the place a warm, rustic feel. Wifi is offered in the common areas.
Things to do
The hotel says it can arrange massages and other spa treatments, surf lessons, bike rentals, ATV rentals, horseback rides, sport fishing, scuba diving, canopy tours and day trips to Tortuga Island. Cabo Blanco National Park is an easy half-day outing to the south. For waves, Santa Teresa's beach breaks are a short walk away; our surf guide explains which spots suit which levels.
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
It's a good match for couples, groups of friends and families who want a villa with a kitchenette and a pool, and who are happy to walk into town for meals. If you want a full-service hotel with a restaurant, room service or an accessible flat layout, it's not the best choice. Our accommodation guide lists other options.
Getting there
From San José, you can take a short flight to Tambor and then a 30-minute drive, or drive 5 to 6 hours including the Puntarenas to Paquera ferry. From Liberia, the road runs south through Nicoya, Jicaral and Paquera. Direct buses from San José stop near the hotel, and the hotel says it can arrange private transfers. See our travel guide for details.
Frequently asked questions
Does Esencia have a restaurant?
No. There's no restaurant on site, but several are within walking distance, and the villas have kitchenettes.
Do the villas have kitchens?
Yes. The villas come with furnished kitchenettes. The pool-view rooms have a coffee maker and fridge.
Is it walkable to the beach?
Yes. The hotel is a short walk from Santa Teresa beach and the town's shops and restaurants.
Is there air conditioning?
Yes. All villas and rooms have A/C. Check current availability on the official Esencia Hotel & Villas website.
