Onda Teresa / CommunityNicoya Peninsula
Nicoya Peninsula
Community
Everything you need to live, work, and get things done on the Nicoya Peninsula. Emergency numbers, local groups, transportation, and essential services.
Save These
Emergency Contacts
- Emergency (National)Police, fire, ambulance911
- Red Cross CobanoNearest Red Cross station — ambulance dispatch2642-0180
- Local PoliceFuerza Publica — Santa Teresa station2640-0770
- OIJ (Criminal Investigation)Report serious crimes2640-0449
- Fire (Bomberos)National fire department1118
- Hospital de NicoyaNearest public hospital — 2 hr drive2685-8400
- Clinica CobanoEBAIS clinic in Cobano — 20 min drive2642-0093
- Emergency Vet (Dr. Mainor)Mobile vet — after-hours emergencies8830-7741
- Vet Clinic CobanoVeterinaria Cobano — Mon-Sat2642-0444
- US Embassy (San Jose)Passport and consular emergencies2519-2000
- Canadian EmbassyConsular services — San Jose2242-4400
The nearest full hospital is Hospital de Nicoya (~2 hours). For serious emergencies, call 911 for ambulance dispatch. The Cobano clinic handles non-critical care.
Join the Conversation
WhatsApp Groups
Santa Teresa Surf ReportDaily swell, wind, and tide updates from locals1.2k members
ST Buy / Sell / TradeBoards, bikes, electronics, furniture — the local marketplace3.4k members
Santa Teresa HousingLong-term rentals, roommates, and sublets2.1k members
ST Events & HappeningsParties, markets, full moon gatherings, live music1.8k members
Women of Santa TeresaWomen's community — meetups, safety, recommendations900 members
ST Families & KidsPlaydates, school info, family-friendly activities650 members
Digital Nomads NicoyaCo-working, internet tips, remote work meetups2.7k members
Nicoya Peninsula RidesShared rides to San Jose, airport, and Montezuma1.1k members
Most groups require an invite link. Ask at any co-working space or cafe, or DM @ondateresa on Instagram for links.
Online Communities
Facebook Groups
Santa Teresa CommunityThe original community group12k+ members
Santa Teresa Buy & SellClassifieds, secondhand goods, and services8k+ members
Santa Teresa Housing & RentalsLong-term and monthly rentals6k+ members
Nicoya Peninsula EventsEvents, markets, and gatherings across the peninsula4k+ members
Santa Teresa FoodiesRestaurant reviews, hidden gems, and food recs3k+ members
Cobano / Montezuma / Mal PaisBroader peninsula community group9k+ members
Official
Government & Services
- Municipalidad de CobanoLocal municipality — permits, complaints2642-0016
- DGME ImmigrationImmigration questions, visa extensions — San Jose office1311
- ASADA (Water)Santa Teresa water company — outages, billing2640-0820
- ICE (Electricity)Power outages and billing — Cobano office2640-0166
- MINAE (Environment)Report environmental violations — wildlife, logging1192
- SINAC (National Parks)Cabo Blanco and Curu reserve info2642-0093
Getting Around
Transportation
- Tropical Tours ShuttlesDaily shuttles to SJO, Liberia, Monteverde, Tamarindo+506 2640-1900
- Montezuma ExpeditionsBoat + shuttle combos to Jaco, Manuel Antonio+506 2642-0919
- Taxi Don JuanReliable local taxi — WhatsApp for pickup+506 8845-3200
- Taxi Marco (Airport)Airport transfers to SJO and Liberia+506 8833-6712
- Taxi Collective (Cobano)Shared taxis Cobano to Santa Teresa+506 2642-0236
- Ferry Tambor (Naviera)Puntarenas to Paquera — check schedule at navieratambor.com2661-2084
- Ferry PeninsulaPuntarenas to Paquera — alternate ferry line2641-0118
- Sansa AirlinesDomestic flights to Tambor from SJO2290-4100
The ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera runs roughly every 2 hours (first boat ~5am, last ~8pm). From Paquera, it is about 1.5 hours by car to Santa Teresa. Book airport shuttles at least 24 hours in advance.
Daily Life
Utilities & Services
- Kölbi / ICE (Internet & Mobile)National carrier — fiber and 4G coverage*611
- TelecableCable internet — available in central Santa Teresa2210-1010
- Liberty (Cabletica)Fiber internet — expanding coverage2210-7777
- Agua Delivery (Cristal)5-gallon water bottle delivery+506 8844-5500
- Gas Delivery (Tropigas)Propane tank delivery — usually same day2640-0707
- Gas Delivery (Z Gas)Propane — national service line800-427-4427
- Laundry El CentroWash and fold — drop off by 9am, ready by 5pm+506 8712-3344
- Vet Dr. MainorHouse calls available — dogs, cats, horses+506 8830-7741
- Vet CobanoFull-service vet clinic in Cobano2642-0444
Finances
Banking & Money
ATM Banco NacionalMain road, central Santa Teresa — colones and USD withdrawal
ATM BCRCobano center — Banco de Costa Rica
ATH (ATM Network)Multiple locations — check ATH app for nearest
Banco Nacional CobanoFull-service bank branch — Mon-Fri 8:30am-3:30pm
BCR CobanoFull-service branch — Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
Western Union (Cobano)Money transfers — inside Super Cobano
USD Exchange TipsMost businesses accept USD. Best rate at banks. Avoid street exchange.
Tip: ATMs in Santa Teresa run out of cash on busy weekends. Withdraw early in the week. Most restaurants and shops accept cards, but cash is king for taxis, small shops, and the farmers market.
Something missing?
If you know of a resource that should be listed here, let us know. This page is for the people who actually live here.
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