Playa Carmen, Santa Teresa

Playa Carmen, part of the greater Santa Teresa area, sits at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula — a region recognized by UNESCO as one of the world’s rare Blue Zones, celebrated for longevity and well-being. This coastal town blends a laid-back surf culture with untouched natural beauty, framed by the Pacific Ocean on one side and lush tropical forest on the other.

The area borders Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve, Costa Rica’s oldest protected reserve, offering abundant wildlife encounters from howler monkeys and coatis to macaws and sea turtles. Offshore, snorkeling and diving reveal a vibrant marine ecosystem, while inland trails lead through jungle canopies and scenic viewpoints.

Playa Carmen and neighboring beaches — Malpaís, Santa Teresa, Hermosa, and Manzanillo — have earned …