Retreat Centers
Nautilus Boutique Hotel
Nautilus Surf & Yoga Villas, once called Nautilus Boutique Hotel, is a small villa hotel in Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula with a pool and yoga and surf classes. It suits couples and small groups who want their own villa and a class or two a day rather than a full retreat program.
Update, November 2026: This hotel now operates as Nautilus Surf & Yoga Villas Santa Teresa. Its old website no longer works and we couldn't find a new official site, but it's bookable on Expedia, Hotels.com and other major booking sites for 2026 stays.
Nautilus is a small villa hotel in Santa Teresa, a short walk from the beach on the southern Nicoya Peninsula. When it opened it called itself a boutique hotel with a yoga studio; today it's marketed as surf and yoga villas, which fits what Santa Teresa has become: one of Costa Rica's main towns for yoga and surf in Santa Teresa and nearby Mal País.
What it offers
Booking listings describe air-conditioned 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom villas with patios or balconies, some with kitchens, around an outdoor pool with a children's pool. Yoga and surf classes are offered on site, and you can book massages and tours through the front desk. Check the listings for current rates and what's included.
When we first wrote about it, Nautilus ran 3, 5 and 7-day yoga packages with daily classes, a massage and healthy breakfasts. We couldn't confirm those packages still run, so ask the hotel what yoga is on the schedule during your dates.
Things to do nearby
Santa Teresa has surf for every level, from beginner sandbars to faster reef breaks, plus plenty of drop-in yoga studios. Day trips include the Montezuma waterfalls, Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, the Curú Wildlife Refuge, and boat trips to Isla Tortuga. Horseback rides on the beach and canopy tours are easy to book in town.
For more on the town, see santa-teresa.com. For the dedicated retreat centers in the area, see our guide to where to do yoga in Costa Rica.
Getting there
From San José, allow about 4 to 5 hours by road, including the Puntarenas to Paquera ferry, or take a 25-minute domestic flight to Tambor and drive about 45 minutes. From Liberia airport, the drive is about 3.5 to 4 hours. The road in from Cóbano is paved, but many side roads are still dirt and get dusty in the dry season.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nautilus Boutique Hotel still open?
Yes, under a new name: Nautilus Surf & Yoga Villas Santa Teresa. It's listed and bookable on major booking sites, though it no longer has a working official website.
Does Nautilus offer yoga classes?
Booking listings say yoga and surf classes are available on site. Ask the hotel for the current class schedule before you book.
Is Santa Teresa good for beginner surfers?
Yes. Several beaches around Santa Teresa and Mal País have mellow waves for learning, and there are many surf schools in town. December to April usually has the smallest, cleanest waves.
[Updated on: 4 November 2026]
