Hotel Fermata: Slow Living in the Surf Town of Santa Teresa

Hotel Fermata takes its name from the musical pause, a fitting idea for a design-led beachfront hotel in Santa Teresa, the bohemian surf town on Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula. It is built to slow visitors down to the rhythm of the Pacific, with understated, soulful spaces steps from the waves.

The dining is a genuine draw. Fermata Kitchen, led by chef Olivier Palazzo, blends Mediterranean flavors with refined French technique and influences from the Ivory Coast, Paris and New York, in family-style plates with ocean views from nearly every seat; and the casual Beach House handles post-surf coffee, smoothies, sunsets and cocktails near the sand.

For a stylish, laid-back base in one of Costa Rica's best surf towns, Fermata is a standout.

Planning Costa Rica? Book your stay with me for preferred-partner perks.