Hotel Fermata
Beachfront surf hotel facing La Lora
Hotel Fermata is a relaxed, upscale surf hotel right on the beach in north Santa Teresa, directly in front of the La Lora surf break. It's best for surfers and families who want rooms, casitas or villas a few steps from the waves, with a surf school, pool and restaurant on site.
At a glance
- Location
- Santa Teresa north, Santa Teresa, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
- Type
- Hotel, Surf
- Best for
- Surfing families, couples and surfers who want to stay on the beach
- Setting
- Beachfront, facing the La Lora break, about 50 m south of House of Somos
- Rooms
- King and double queen rooms, suites, casitas (some oceanfront) and 2-bedroom villas
- Surf
- On-site surf school with board rentals, lessons and surf photography
- Food
- Fermata Kitchen, open daily from breakfast to dinner, plus room service
- Kids
- Children of all ages are welcome
- Official website
- hotelfermata.com
What it's like
Fermata sits on the sand in the northern part of Santa Teresa, right in front of La Lora, one of the town's busiest beach breaks. The look is casual luxury with a surfer's attitude: clean rooms, lots of wood and outdoor space, and boards never far away. You can check the waves from the property and be in the water a few minutes later.
The hotel is on the main strip of north Santa Teresa, so cafés, shops and restaurants are within walking distance. It has a sister property, Sendero, in Nosara.
Rooms
Fermata has a mix of room types for different group sizes:
- King Rooms and King Deluxe Rooms: a king bed and private outdoor space; some can be set up with twin beds, an extra daybed or a crib.
- Double Queen Room: 2 queen beds and a balcony.
- Suite: ground floor, with a separate living area and an outdoor lounge.
- Casitas and Oceanfront Casitas: standalone units with a king bed, a daybed and a covered outdoor shower. The oceanfront ones sit on the beach.
- Two Bedroom Villa: the biggest unit, with 2 king bedrooms, a kitchenette, a living area and a terrace that opens to the beach, for up to 6.
Most units have air conditioning and Wi-Fi. There's a saltwater pool with food and drink service during the day.
Surf and food
The on-site surf school handles board rentals, lessons and surf photos, so beginners can sort everything without leaving the hotel. La Lora is a beach break that changes with the tide and swell; on bigger days, newer surfers often head to Playa Carmen instead. See our surf guide for the options.
Fermata Kitchen is the hotel restaurant, open daily for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner, with a Mediterranean-leaning menu built for sharing. We have a separate page on Fermata Kitchen. There's also a members-only Surf House serving coffee and light food during the day.
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
It's a good match for surf trips, families (kids of all ages are welcome, and cribs are available on request) and couples who want to walk out of their room onto the beach. Being on the main strip is handy for dinners out.
It's not a budget choice. On top of the room rate there's a daily resort fee that covers the pool, beach bikes and snacks, plus a nightly donation to local nonprofits, so read the booking terms. Parking is limited and charged separately, and the north end of town can be lively and dusty in the dry season.
Getting there
The hotel is in north Santa Teresa, about 50 m south of House of Somos and across from La Lora. From the Playa Carmen junction, head north along the main road. You can fly from San José to Cóbano in about 30 minutes or drive in about 5 hours with the ferry; from Liberia it's about 4 hours by road. The hotel can arrange transfers. See our travel guide.
Where to stay in Santa Teresa
Live prices from Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com and more.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hotel Fermata good for families?
Yes. The hotel describes itself as family-oriented and welcomes children of all ages.
Does Fermata have a pool?
Yes, a saltwater pool with food and drink service during the day. Access is part of the daily resort fee.
Can I take surf lessons at the hotel?
Yes. The on-site surf school offers lessons, board rentals and surf photography.
Is there parking?
Yes, but spaces are limited and there's a nightly charge, so reserve a spot when you book.
What are check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is at 3 pm and check-out at 11 am. Check current availability on the official Hotel Fermata website.
