Casas Santa Teresa

Casas Santa Teresa is an aparthotel for divers who prefer room to spread out rather than a conventional hotel room with nowhere sensible to put anything. The accommodation is built around apartments with a kitchenette, living area, private bathroom and outdoor space, so you can make the place work around your own rhythm rather than around a restaurant timetable.

The useful distinction is independence. You have air conditioning, WiFi throughout, a fridge, dining space and a private entrance, along with a garden, sun terrace and outdoor seating. The host speaks English and Spanish, while the hotel's website is also available in both languages. That makes the practical side of arrival and arranging your days easier, without dressing the place up as something it is not.

You are in Santa Teresa Beach, Costa Rica, at an address 50 metres north of Playa Cielo. Santa Teresa Beach is about 300 metres away, a short walk when you have remembered where you left your sandals. Carmen Beach is around 0.7 miles away, with Mar Azul and Mal Pais Beach further along the coast.

The surrounding area gives you plenty to do beyond the hotel grounds. A café is around 300 metres away, Cañchas natural park is about 0.4 miles away, and the centre of town is roughly a 15-minute walk. For a longer outing, Montezuma Waterfall is about 9 miles away, while Reserva Natural Absoluta Cabo Blanc is around 8 miles from the property.

These are apartments rather than merely enlarged bedrooms, which matters when you return sun-baked, salty and carrying enough small objects to stock a dive boat. The larger layouts suit families or two divers who would rather not live out of the same bag, with a sofa, seating area, dining table and a kitchenette for simple meals.

Choose an apartment with a terrace if outdoor space at ground level matters more to you, or a balcony layout if you prefer somewhere raised for your morning coffee. The kitchenettes include a stovetop, fridge, coffee machine, toaster, kettle and kitchenware. A barbecue and outdoor dining area add another option when you want food without putting on proper clothes.

At night, air conditioning handles the tropical heat, while a fan, mosquito net and soundproofing cover the less glamorous but genuinely useful details. Private bathrooms have showers, towels and toiletries; the apartments also include wardrobes, a desk, streaming services and a flat-screen TV. Daily housekeeping is available, and the ground-floor layout of the units keeps the logistics straightforward.

The on-site restaurant is Soda La Yunta, serving Central American cuisine. No meal plan or breakfast service is specified, so the sensible way to read this property is as a self-catering base with one named dining option rather than a resort built around all-day catering.

That suits the apartment format. You can make coffee, keep food and drinks in the fridge, use the stovetop or toaster, and eat at your own table or outside. Cafetería Zaza is around 300 metres away, with Cafetería Casitas about 0.8 miles away when you fancy leaving the cooking to somebody else. There is no bar listed on site, so your evening drink is either a short local outing or one bought in for the balcony.

The hotel keeps its after-dive options pleasantly practical. A garden, sun terrace, patio, picnic area and outdoor furniture give you places to sit without retreating straight into the apartment, while the nearby beach provides the obvious answer when the water is warmer than your enthusiasm for organised entertainment.

For recovery rather than heroics, the wellness facilities include a gym, yoga classes and a spa with massage, facial treatments, hammam, sauna, jacuzzi, mud bath and body wrap treatments. Couples can book a couples massage, or you can opt for a more targeted head, neck, back, hand or foot massage when one particular part of you has objected to the day's activities.

Away from the property, cycling and hiking are available, with bike tours, horse riding, fishing and snorkelling among the listed activities. You can also arrange car hire, while the tour desk and concierge service are there for sorting out the days when the beach, a book and a chair are not quite enough.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to midnight, and you need to let the property know your arrival time in advance. Check-out is by 11:00. Private check-in and check-out, luggage storage, lockers and concierge service keep the arrival and departure mechanics reasonably tidy, particularly if your flight and your room are not operating on the same timetable.

Cobano Airport is about 8 miles away by road, and an airport shuttle is available to arrange with the property. A shuttle service, car hire and bicycle rental are also available, while free private parking is provided on site. Laundry is available as a paid service, and there is a safe for valuables.

Children of any age are welcome. Cots for very young children can be requested, subject to the accommodation option, while extra beds are not available. Pets can stay on request. Smoking is not allowed, and the apartments are non-smoking. WiFi is free throughout the property, which is useful for checking tomorrow's plans before you switch off and get some sleep.