Sources and credits for the images accompanying our guides. Food and activity photographs may illustrate a subject rather than a particular recommended business or provider.
The photographs and films of Villa Raya itself are the owners’ own.
Shared by their makers under a Creative Commons licence. Adaptations retain the licence linked with each image.
Beach riding in Costa Rica. Illustrative photograph taken at Playa Esterillos.
Photo: MariaAngela Picado (opens in a new tab) · CC BY-SA 2.0 (opens in a new tab) · Resized and cropped for display.
Rainforest ziplining in Costa Rica. Illustrative photograph from Canopy San Lorenzo, San Ramón.
Photo: Bigmacthealmanac (opens in a new tab) · CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab) · Resized and cropped for display.
The estuary at Curú Wildlife Refuge, Nicoya Peninsula.
Photo: Vlad Podvorny (opens in a new tab) · CC BY-SA 3.0 (opens in a new tab) · Resized and cropped for display.
A turquoise-browed motmot in Costa Rica. Illustrative birdwatching photo taken near the Tárcoles River.
Photo: Bernard Gagnon (opens in a new tab) · CC0 (opens in a new tab)
Montezuma Falls, on the southern Nicoya Peninsula.
Photo: Vlad Podvorny (opens in a new tab) · CC BY-SA 3.0 (opens in a new tab) · Resized and cropped for display.
The beach at Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve.
Photo: kirybabe (opens in a new tab) · CC BY 2.0 (opens in a new tab) · Resized and cropped for display.
Beach and anchored boats viewed from a lookout on Isla Tortuga, Costa Rica.
Photo: Johan Guatemala (opens in a new tab) · CC BY-SA 3.0 (opens in a new tab) · Resized and cropped for display.
People fishing from the rocks at sunset on Playa Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.
Photo: Christopher Crouzet (opens in a new tab) · CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab) · Resized and cropped for display.
A forested hillside meets the sea and pale beach at Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve.
Photo: Hans Hillewaert (opens in a new tab) · CC BY-SA 3.0 (opens in a new tab) · Resized and cropped for display.
Small boats anchor beside Isla Tortuga, with wooded islands across the water.
Photo: micah420 (opens in a new tab) · CC BY 2.0 (opens in a new tab) · Resized and cropped for display.
A shell rests on stacked stones beside the rocky shore at Playa Malpaís.
Photo: Jose Reñazco (opens in a new tab) · CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab) · Resized and cropped for display.
A variegated squirrel perches in Curú Wildlife Refuge.
Photo: Leyo (opens in a new tab) · CC BY-SA 2.5 ch (opens in a new tab) · Resized and cropped for display.
A waterfall flows over dark rock into a natural pool at Montezuma.
Photo: LOG83 (opens in a new tab) · CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab) · Resized and cropped for display.
Surfing at Playa Carmen, Costa Rica.
Photo: Ladd Greene (opens in a new tab) · CC0 1.0 (opens in a new tab)
Santa Teresa Bay from the Mal Pais hill. Photo: LOG83 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo: LOG83 (opens in a new tab) · CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab) · Resized and cropped for display.
Tambor II at Puntarenas. Photo: kitmasterbloke / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
Photo: kitmasterbloke (opens in a new tab) · CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab) · Resized and cropped for display.
The rocky coast of Playa Malpaís, Costa Rica.
Photo: Francisco (opens in a new tab) · CC0 1.0 (opens in a new tab)
Playa Grande near Montezuma, on the Nicoya Peninsula.
Photo: micah420 (opens in a new tab) · CC BY 2.0 (opens in a new tab) · Resized and cropped for display.
Published by their makers under the Unsplash or the Pexels licence.
A surfer carries a board across Santa Teresa Beach at sunset.
Photo: Christian Holzinger (opens in a new tab) · Unsplash License (opens in a new tab)
Palm-lined coast in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.
Photo: Marcel L. (opens in a new tab) · Unsplash License (opens in a new tab)
Waves and a clouded sunset at Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.
Photo: Lisa van Vliet (opens in a new tab) · Unsplash License (opens in a new tab)
Aerial view of the rocky, forested coast at Mal Pais, Costa Rica.
Photo: Samuel Charron (opens in a new tab) · Unsplash License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative photograph: surfboards beside the beach in Da Nang, Vietnam.
Photo: Danielle Suijkerbuijk (opens in a new tab) · Unsplash License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative photograph: a surfer rides a wave in Costa Rica; the exact beach is not specified.
Photo: Chalo Garcia (opens in a new tab) · Unsplash License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative photograph: two paddleboarders on the sea at Playa de Calahonda, Spain.
Photo: ionut dobre (opens in a new tab) · Unsplash License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative photograph: kayaking on a forest-lined waterway in the Drake Bay area, Costa Rica.
Photo: Filip Mroz (opens in a new tab) · Unsplash License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative photograph: a beginner practices her surf stance with an instructor; location unspecified.
Photo: Serg Alesenko (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative photograph: a kayaker at dusk in Biggera Waters, Australia.
Photo: Rhiannon Stone (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative cuisine photo; not photographed at this restaurant.
Photo: Los Muertos Crew (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative cuisine photo; not photographed at this restaurant.
Photo: Salman Manki (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative cuisine photo; not photographed at this restaurant.
Photo: Maria Luiza Melo (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative cuisine photo; not photographed at this restaurant.
Photo: elif tekkaya (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative breakfast photo; not photographed at a featured restaurant.
Photo: Alesia Talkachova (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative cuisine photo; not photographed at this restaurant.
Photo: Nano Erdozain (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative cuisine photo; not photographed at this restaurant.
Photo: Victoria Emerson (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative cuisine photo; not photographed at this restaurant.
Photo: Luiz Lorencetti (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative cuisine photo; not photographed at this restaurant.
Photo: Sergei Starostin (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative cuisine photo; not photographed at this restaurant.
Photo: Bich Tran (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative — outdoor group yoga practice.
Photo: Amauri Mejía (opens in a new tab) · Unsplash License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative — volunteers collecting beach litter in Barbados.
Photo: Brian Yurasits (opens in a new tab) · Unsplash License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative — a massage treatment.
Photo: Toa Heftiba (opens in a new tab) · Unsplash License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative produce photograph taken in India; not photographed at the recommended shop or supplier.
Photo: iKshana Productions (opens in a new tab) · Unsplash License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative wine photograph taken in Argentina; not photographed at Tipsy.
Photo: Joao Vitor Marcilio (opens in a new tab) · Unsplash License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant.
Photo: Helen Brudna (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant.
Photo: Taryn Elliott (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant.
Photo: Geraud pfeiffer (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant.
Photo: Engin Akyurt (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant.
Photo: Moussa Idrissi (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant.
Photo: Vincent Rivaud (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant.
Photo: Connor Scott McManus (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant.
Photo: Kunal Lakhotia (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant.
Photo: Dmitriy Tarasenko (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant.
Photo: Huzaifa Bukhari (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant.
Photo: Emre Vonal (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant.
Photo: wutthichai charoenburi (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant.
Photo: John Henry (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant.
Photo: Chan Walrus (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant.
Photo: Mihman Duğanlı (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant.
Photo: Tomi Saputra (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative food or dining photograph; not photographed at the recommended restaurant.
Photo: Alessandro Paci (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider.
Photo: Atlantic Ambience (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider.
Photo: Elina Sazonova (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative activity photograph; Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider.
Photo: Jess Loiterton (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider.
Photo: Mike van Schoonderwalt (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider.
Photo: Ditrich Oleg (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider.
Photo: Jess Loiterton (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider.
Photo: Ron Lach (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative activity photograph; Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider.
Photo: Mariya Eskina (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider.
Photo: olia danilevich (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider.
Photo: Anete Lusina (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider.
Photo: Lindsay Madelo (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider.
Photo: buse kaleo (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative activity photograph; Cebu City, Central Visayas, Philippines. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider.
Photo: kk b (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative activity photograph; location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider.
Photo: Fermin Rodriguez Penelas (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative activity photograph; Costa Rica; exact location unspecified. Not photographed at Villa Raya or its local activity provider.
Photo: Enrique Hidalgo (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Morning light falls across the sandy beach and trees at Santa Teresa.
Photo: Nathan Farrish (opens in a new tab) · Unsplash License (opens in a new tab)
Coastal dining inspiration; illustrative photograph.
Photo: Rachel Claire (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative photograph; not photographed at a recommended local provider.
Photo: Clarence Gaspar (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative photograph; not photographed at a recommended local provider.
Photo: Greta Hoffman (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Forested hills in Nicoya, Costa Rica.
Photo: bennoptic (opens in a new tab) · Unsplash License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative photograph; not photographed at a recommended local provider.
Photo: Anya Richter (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative photograph; not photographed at a recommended local provider.
Photo: RDNE Stock project (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative photograph; not photographed at a recommended local provider.
Photo: ArtHouse Studio (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
The palm-lined coast in the Santa Teresa area, Costa Rica.
Photo: Lisa van Vliet (opens in a new tab) · Unsplash License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative photograph; not photographed at a recommended local provider.
Photo: Victoria Marzullo (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative photograph; not photographed at a recommended local provider.
Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko (opens in a new tab) · Pexels License (opens in a new tab)
Coastal inspiration: sunset at nearby Santa Teresa Beach.
Photo: Christian Holzinger (opens in a new tab) · Unsplash License (opens in a new tab)
Photographs of the places we recommend, used with each venue’s permission.
Fermata Kitchen at Hotel Fermata, Santa Teresa.
Photo: Kirsten Ellis / Hotel Fermata (opens in a new tab) · Official editorial media kit (opens in a new tab)
Red entrance gates and a shaded garden path leading to Playa de los Artistas in Montezuma
Photo: Playa de los Artistas (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Tropical plants beside the NAMORÉ kitchen, bakery and bar entrance
Photo: NAMORÉ (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Aerial view of the Pacific coastline and tropical greenery beside Ranchos Itauna
Photo: Ranchos Itauna (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Fresh ceviche with vegetable garnishes in a terracotta bowl at Shambala
Photo: Restaurante Shambala - Santa Teresa, Costa Rica (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Ceviche with crisp plantain chips, herbs and sliced peppers at Eat Street
Photo: Eat Street (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Savory breakfast dish topped with sauce and seeds, served with lime and slaw at COYOTE Brunch
Photo: COYOTE Brunch (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Grilled steak with mushrooms, vegetables and purée at El Facón
Photo: El Facon Grill & Bar (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Breakfast burrito with dipping sauce at Mantarraya Café
Photo: Mantarraya Cafe (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Avocado toast topped with poached eggs, radish and cherry tomatoes at The Bakery
Photo: The Bakery (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Wood-fired pizza topped with salmon, greens and lemon wedges at Amici Santa Teresa
Photo: Amici Santa Teresa (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Surfboards and shaded wooden tables overlooking the ocean at Rocamar
Photo: Rocamar (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Oceanfront dining under string lights at sunset at Blue Mist Beach Club
Photo: Blue Mist Hotel and Beach Club (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Open-air wooden terrace overlooking the Pacific at sunset at Brukas
Photo: BRUKAS RESTAURANT (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Sliced tuna with greens and colorful sauces on a white platter at Bajo el Árbol
Photo: Restaurante Bajo el Árbol (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Sunset over Pacific waves and the beach beside Banana Beach Restaurant
Photo: Banana Beach Restaurant (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Avocado-topped sushi rolls on a wooden board at Koji’s
Photo: Koji’s (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Sourdough pizza with tomato slices, green olives and herbs at Muzza
Photo: Muzza (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Wood-fired pizza with melted cheese, mushrooms and basil at Pronto Piccola Italia
Photo: Pronto Piccola Italia | Italian Restaurant (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Shaded wooden seating with an ocean view at El Carmen Beach Café Restaurant
Photo: El Carmen Beach Café Restaurant (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Breakfast served at an ocean-facing table at Manzú at Nantipa
Photo: Manzú a Beachfront Restaurant (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Fresh fish ceviche with red onion, sliced chile and crisp corn fritters at SARGO in Santa Teresa.
Photo: SARGO - restaurante de mar (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Cheeseburger with fries and a cold drink at Kooks Smokehouse and Bar
Photo: Kooks Smokehouse and Bar (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Colorful sushi rolls and sashimi arranged on a wooden board at Satori Sushi
Photo: Satori Sushi Santa Teresa (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Katana’s warmly lit dining room and bar beneath a curved bamboo ceiling
Photo: Katana Asian Cuisine (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission
Bowls of fresh ceviche with seafood, red onion and colorful garnishes at La Cevichería
Photo: La Cevicheria (opens in a new tab) · Used with venue permission