Hotel Snapshot
“Pura Vida, Pura Vida, Pura Vida.” This is the heartwarming mantra of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, which you’ll hear every step along your journey. Transferring from an everyday commercial to a prop plane, I immediately felt a sense of adventure, just beyond my everyday comfort zone.
The Nicoya Peninsula is known as one of the world’s five Blue Zones, which makes complete sense in hindsight. Following a beer in the skies and an Indiana Jones-style landing to keep me young, I arrived at the charming city of Santa Teresa.
Newly-built roads, honest boutiques, slow speeds, friendly waves from locals and tourists, ATVs and motorbikes over cars, fresh seafood and fruit. It was another world entirely—ebbing and flowing with the cadence of the sun and ocean. One afternoon, I walked into the hotel after an excursion, and one of the hotel leaders gently smiled and quietly ushered me back out to the beach, before I missed the breathtaking sunset.
House of Somos blends splendidly into the natural environment. The farther you walk in-and-around the property, the more spacious it becomes, and the more nosy you feel to explore every square-foot. The expansive architecture fuels a unique conversation with nature through intentionally-filtered skylights and plants abound.
One kudos in particular—their friendly, proactive concierge team was the best I’ve ever experienced, full stop. The first thing they did was arrange an ATV for the week, sharing top-tips on driving safely and fueling affordably in the area, as well as anticipate drive times to reservations and excursions.
Design & Character
From the street, an outdoor restaurant and surf shop, encapsulated by the tropical-brutalism of exposed concrete, steel, and reclaimed wood. The way the lights played within the space showed that someone who really understood the local lifestyle was at the helm of this dreamy design project.
The casual restaurant layout featured a retro Airstream bar, low loveseats, picnic tables, and live music by local musicians. Around the corner, an oasis-style courtyard is revealed with beanbag seating and the perfect level of privacy for hangouts and solo time.
As someone who loves to romanticize their life, stepping into the hotel lobby felt like the intro to a Hollywood surfer’s flick back in the 90’s—with modernized operations, immaculate rooms, and two “Pura Vida’s” per step. You are cared for, as if you’re visiting family from out of town.
What I loved so much about the space is how the architecture is warmed-up by the interior design and their in-residence program with artists like Colin Holloway and chefs like Magnus Reid. Stopping by the artist studio, you can take a peek into what came before, and what’s coming next.
Solo travelers, digital nomads, active couples and families—House of Somos is just right for you and yours.
The Rooms
Ascending the grand staircase and stepping into such a spectacular room was a humbling experience. You can feel the warmth of the hotel ownership and design team pouring their passion for creativity and hospitality into the finest nuances, anticipating the avid traveler’s needs-and-wants before the taxi arrives.
The star of the show is the reclaimed wood and terrazzo floors. To the left, deep terra cotta rain shower, and to the right, an open concept closet which extends into a considerably long, live-edge wood desk for eating and working. Bauhaus-inspired colors and shapes, playful shadows through wooden slats and floor-to-ceiling windows and doors, woven lampshades, comforting textures—and completely engulfed in nature beyond the balcony.
They were kind enough to share a handwritten letter, offering locally-sourced coffee and chocolate, and collectible House of Somos merchandise—shoutout to their imaginative brand team. I can’t wait for my sterling silver House Ring to come in the mail, and to collect much more upon my inevitable return.
There are quite a few options for a variety of travelers including: private rooms and bungalows with the option of a private terrace, Airstream and Streamliner camper suites for an out-of-the-ordinary experience, and even shared dorms with up to six beds.
The Food & Drink
Firstly, I hate to be that guy, but oh my goodness—the breakfast burrito—crafted with gallo pinto, tomato relish, and house-made hot sauce. This with two cups of their locally-sourced coffee became a daily ritual, whether early morning or for a mid-day boost.
There’s an intriguing high-low juxtaposition between the casual nature of the space and the elevated dining experience. The first bite always gets you—the simple pleasure of exquisite cuisine paired with laid-back accommodations.
Cocktails on rotation included the Spicy Mezcalita with thyme and chili, the Whisky Sour with almond and rosemary. And if I had to eat one meal every day for the rest of my life, the Ginger Soy Chicken Salad would be a strong contender, especially after a day of beach, excursion, and restoration.
The Somos Restaurant is both seasonally and globally inspired, featuring residencies with Ponyboy and Madre Mezcal. In the evening, when live music is playing, House of Somos becomes the de-facto gathering space for all of Santa Teresa, with a line down the street to get inside.
The Amenities
I recall my jaw dropping when I heard that they don’t just sell surfboards—they make them on-site. Watching craftsmen shape, sand, glass, hot coat, and polish was an unexpected surprise.
The Sweat Den is their open-air gym and sunrise studio from yoga, pilates, surf training, and more. Following, an indulgent dip in the showers, saunas, and cold plunge to reset for daytime exploration and nighttime rejuvenation.
The apparel and accessories within the surf shop were particularly robust and well-curated. Colorful linen shirts with tongue-in-cheek artworks, durable Turkish towels, jewelry collaboration with a silversmith, and quite a few logo iterations akin to Patagonia’s outdoorsy, ever-evolving brand identity.
Interestingly, SOMOS reads the same forwards and backward as a palindrome, and the Spanish word for 'we are' fittingly anchors a property built on shared rhythm. This a sentiment genuinely felt, even when I was out-and-about in the city with the concierge on speed-dial.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
With time for two excursions, I spoke with the concierge and chose horseback riding on the beach, followed by a zipline canopy tour.
Arriving at the horse stables, I was saddled-up with the right horse for my size and experience. Weaving through the trees and galloping on the sand felt like I was on-set for the next season of The Bachelor. I would highly recommend a lanyard for your iPhone, so you don’t drop it at the waterfall—not that I would know.
Four-wheeling from the hotel to the zipline, I wondered how I would react to the height. It’s been a long time since I’ve tried something like parasailing, which I’ve always loved. The tour guides were hilarious, both in cahoots pretending it was their first day on the job, encouraging me to jump from tree-to-tree without hestitation. Somehow, I was comfortable enough to ride one of the longer lines upside-down like Spider-Man.
Renting the ATV for a week is a thrilling amenity in itself with an endless variety of boutiques, bars, and restaurants from ultra-casual to top-tier. Whether you’re off-roading solo like myself, or with family and friends, this is a unique opportunity to let loose off-the-grid and tap into your inner child.
Fast Facts
Address: Frente a Lora Amarilla, 25 m al sur, Santa Teresa, Puntarenas 60101, Costa Rica
Vibe: Tropical-brutalist surfer’s outpost with a heartwarming design point-of-view
Rating: 4-star boutique surf hotel and hostel hybrid
Starting Rate: From approx. $60 per night (shared dorm); private rooms, Airstream and Streamliner camper suites priced higher
Room Count: 14 accommodation categories spanning 9 private rooms, 3 restored Airstream and Streamliner camper suites, and 3 shared dorm rooms (16 dorm beds)
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The on-site surfboard shaping bay is a truly singular offering
Amenities: All-day Somos Restaurant, El Somos Café, on-site surfboard shaping bay, The Sweat Den open-air gym and yoga studio, sauna, artist residency program with rotating open studios, lobby retail shop, year-round live music and DJ programming, surf shop, coworking areas, dog-friendly accommodations
Nearby Attractions: Surf lessons, horseback riding, Tortuga Island and bioluminescence, yoga and functional training, fishing tours, and ATV rentals
Airport: Tambor Airport (TMU) via 1-hour drive; San José International (SJO) via 4-5 hour drive or 25-minute connecting flight
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
