Shopping in Santa Teresa

The short answer

Santa Teresa is a surf town, not a shopping town. There are no malls or department stores, and that's part of its charm. What you'll find is a long main road lined with small supermarkets, surf shops, swimwear and clothing boutiques, cafés with a shelf of local goods, and a couple of banks. You can buy almost everything you need for a beach holiday without leaving town.

For anything bigger, the district town of Cóbano, inland on the road toward Paquera, has more banking, gas stations and public offices.

Where the shops are

Nearly everything sits on the one main road that runs parallel to the beach. The busiest stretch is around the Playa Carmen junction, where the road from Cóbano meets the coast, and just north of it into Santa Teresa. Shops thin out the further north you go toward Playa Hermosa, and Mal País to the south is quieter still.

A few things to know before you set out:

• The road is dusty or muddy depending on the season, and there's not much sidewalk. Walk with care, especially after dark.
• Parking is limited outside the busier shops. Many people get around by bike, scooter or ATV.
• Hours vary. Most shops open by mid-morning and close around early evening, and some close one day a week. Supermarkets usually keep longer hours.

Groceries and supermarkets

You'll find several small supermarkets (called "supers" locally) along the main road. They stock the basics: fruit and vegetables, bread, dairy, meat, snacks, drinks, beer and wine, sunscreen, bug spray and household goods.

One well-known name is Super Ronny 1 in the southern part of Santa Teresa, which is a landmark in its own right: places such as Casa MarBella give their address as so many meters from it. Other supers come and go, so ask your host which is closest to you.

Grocery tips:

• Imported goods cost more. Anything brought in from abroad, from cereal to specialty cheese, is pricier than at home. Local products such as rice, beans, coffee, eggs and tropical fruit are better value.
• Shop early for fresh produce. Deliveries come in on set days, and the best fruit and vegetables go first.
• Bring your own bag. A reusable tote is handy for market runs and beach supplies.
• Bring what you can't do without. If you need a particular brand of baby food, gluten-free product or contact lens solution, pack it.

Local markets and fruit stands

Look out for small produce markets and roadside fruit stands, where local farmers sell bananas, pineapple, papaya, avocados and whatever else is in season. Weekly organic and farmers' markets have run in the area, but days, times and locations change, so ask at your hotel or check local community pages that week for the current schedule. Markets are also good spots for coffee, chocolate, baked goods and handmade crafts.

Surf shops

This is where Santa Teresa really delivers. Surf shops line the main road, selling and renting boards, plus wax, leashes, fins, rash guards and board bags. Most rent by the day or week, and many also run lessons.

A few surf businesses on this site with a shop or retail side:

• Del Soul Surf School: a long-running school with a shop on the main road in the north of town.
• House of Somos: a surf house on the main road near La Lora, with a surf shop at the entrance and board rentals.
• The Girl & The Sea: a surf and skate school near Playa Carmen with its own surf-inspired clothing line.

If you're renting, choose a shop close to the beach you'll surf most. Boards are awkward to carry far. Check a rental board for dings before you take it out, and ask about wetsuits or tops if you're sensitive to the sun. Our surfing guide covers waves and lessons in more detail.

Boutiques, swimwear and gifts

The main road has a good number of small clothing boutiques, many of them selling swimwear, linen, beach dresses and jewelry, some made locally or by designers who live in the area. Shops open and close often, so the fun is in wandering and seeing what's new.

For natural skincare and better-quality sunscreen, Skin & Soul Holistics is a small day spa and shop in Plaza Las Palmas, beside Greenworld, in the northern part of Santa Teresa. Its shelves carry natural skincare, hair care, reef-friendly sun care, wellness tools and a few local items such as handmade soap and clothing. Walk-ins are welcome for shopping.

For souvenirs, look for:

• Costa Rican coffee and chocolate
• Local art, prints and photography
• Handmade jewelry and woven bags
• Surf brand clothing from shops in town

Many hotels and yoga centers also keep a small shop with clothing, yoga gear and gifts, and some are open to non-guests.

Pharmacies

There are pharmacies along the main road in Santa Teresa that can handle everyday needs: pain relief, allergy tablets, rehydration salts, cold remedies, after-sun care and first-aid supplies. Pharmacists can often give advice on minor problems.

If you take regular prescription medicine, bring enough for your whole trip in its original packaging. For anything more serious than a minor issue, see our travel tips for clinics and health care.

Banks and ATMs

2 banks have a presence in Santa Teresa:

• Banco Nacional: a branch in Santa Teresa, which is also used as a local landmark (shuttle companies, for example, give their office as "in front of Banco Nacional").
• BAC: opened a business center in Santa Teresa in 2025, offering banking for individuals and businesses.

Cóbano has a Banco Nacional branch with an outdoor ATM.

Money tips:

• ATMs can run dry on busy weekends and holidays, especially in high season. Take out cash before you're down to your last bill.
• Cards are widely accepted in supermarkets, shops and restaurants. Small market stalls, fruit stands and some sodas prefer cash.
• US dollars are commonly accepted, but change may come in colones. Smaller bills are easier to use.
• Tell your bank you're traveling so your card isn't blocked.

What Cóbano adds

Cóbano is the district town, inland from the Playa Carmen junction on the road toward Paquera. It's where locals do their bigger errands. You'll find a Banco Nacional branch, gas stations just outside town, the post office, the municipal and district offices, and small local restaurants. It's a sensible place to fill the tank on your way to or from the coast.

For more on getting around, see our Santa Teresa travel tips and our guide to the town.