Villa Akoya
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Luxury modern villa with a pool and stunning views right on the sand at Playa Santa Teresa.
Akoya means “pearl” in Japanese, which is a perfect fit for this gem of a house that sits as close to the water as you can get in the charming beach town of Santa Teresa.
Designed by acclaimed Costa Rican architect Benjamin Garcia Saxe, Villa Akoya is a special blend of minimalist modern design, indoor/outdoor living spaces, and one of the best beachfront locales in Costa Rica.
With open airy spaces throughout, the villa features three spacious bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, a full kitchen with high-end appliances, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open up to the wide terrace that looks out over the sparkling pool, white sand beach, and Pacific Ocean.
The angled wood-paneled ceilings sit atop windows which creates abundant natural light and fuses the indoors with the surrounding lush greenery outside. A low bamboo fence lines the beach for privacy, while allowing uninterrupted views of the ocean and stunning sunsets.
Situated within walking distance to the action of Santa Teresa and with the beach and surf literally at your doorstep, Villa Akoya is the ultimate beachfront Costa Rican experience.
The Lowdown
VIBE: Barefoot luxury
LOCALE: On the beach
ROOMS: 3 bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom
FAMILY FRIENDLY: Yes
CLOSEST AIRPORT: San Jose International Airport (SJO)
PRICING: $1,250 – $2,200 per night + tax / September & October: $1,100 per night + tax
Features
Inside
Three spacious and stylish bedrooms each have king beds, en-suite bathrooms, large picture windows, and are outfitted with high-quality bedding and bath linens. The house has 25 GB Wi-Fi throughout, air-conditioning, and ceiling fans.
Outside
The house was built three steps off the ground to fully take advantage of the location and enable direct views of the waves and beach break. With a large terrace, pool, and beach at your doorstep, Villa Akoya offers barefoot living at it’s finest.
Eat & Drink
The villa has a fully equipped kitchen at your disposal, but you have lots of options if you prefer not to use it. A private chef can be arranged and you can easily walk to great restaurants, coffee shops, and a market. The hosts are very gracious and give excellent recommendations.
The Surf
Santa Teresa and nearby Mal Pais (both located on the Nicoya Peninsula) have become one of Costa Rica’s most popular surf zones, boasting a wide variety of point breaks and beach breaks that are warm, fun, consistent, and user-friendly. Appropriate for surfers ranging from beginners to experts, the local waves tend to fire during the southern hemisphere season (from April through September), although they can also get swell during the winter “offseason.” The main beach break of Santa Teresa is the go-to spot in the area if you like punchy, hollow sandbars.
WATER TEMP: 77 – 86 °F (25 – 30 °C)
PEAK SURF SEASON: July – Sept
SHOULDER SURF SEASON: Apr – June, Nov
SURF EXPERIENCE: Beginner to advanced
Details
Stays include daily cleaning, a security guard, and pastries and fresh fruit in the mornings.
CHECK IN: 3 pm
CHECK OUT: 11 am
Rates
– Most of the year: $1,250 – $2,200 per night + 13% tax
– September & October: $1,100 per night + 13% tax
– Christmas holiday: $3,000 per night + 13% tax
Location
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Santa Teresa is a small laidback surf town located on the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Once a small fishing village, over the past 15 years Santa Teresa has seen a surge in growth with surfers and travelers seeking surf, sun, and the pura vida way of life. Many of those visitors found all of the above and decided to stay.
This rise in expats from all over the world has led to an international feel to this charming surf village, and along with it an influx of fantastic restaurants, villas, and hotels to enjoy. While there has been significant development, there are no high-rises to speak of, the main road is still unpaved, and residents and visitors still gather on the beach every evening to hang out and collectively watch the epic sunsets.
With long beaches lined with great surf breaks, consistent swell, and year-round warm water, this spot is a quintessential surfer’s paradise.
Getting There
You can either fly into San Jose Airport (SJO) in central Costa Rica, or Liberia Airport (LIR) in northern Costa Rica. Santa Teresa is located on the Nicoya Peninsula and is about a 4 to 5 hour journey by car from both airports. You can either rent a car at the airport, take a shared shuttle bus, private car, or the fastest option is taking a short 18-minute domestic flight to the airport of Tambor on the Nicoya Peninsula. The Tambor airport is about a 35-minute drive to Santa Teresa.
The Small Print
Terms and Conditions
Rental Policy
- Max occupancy 8 people.
- CHECK IN TIME: 3 pm
- CHECK OUT TIME: 11 am
Booking and Payment
- To confirm your reservation, a deposit of the total amount is required.
- The deposit can be paid via ACH, wire transfer, or credit card.
Cancelation Policy
- 60 days before check-in : 100% refund
- 30 days before check-in : 50% refund
- Less than 30 days : No refund
Payment Options
- ACH
- Wire transfer
- Credit card (3% processing fee)