The Nicoya Peninsula Foundation: Supporting the Future of Santa Teresa |

Santa Teresa is one of the most beautiful and fast-growing communities in Costa Rica. But with growth comes responsibility. Supporting local schools, strengthening infrastructure, and investing in environmental initiatives are essential to protecting the future of the Nicoya Peninsula.

That’s where the Nicoya Peninsula Foundation comes in.

The Nicoya Peninsula Foundation is a community foundation supporting Santa Teresa, Mal País, Montezuma, Manzanillo, Tambor, Cabuya, and the entire Cóbano district. Its mission is to bring residents, visitors, and businesses together to fund projects that improve the quality of life for the local community.

Because the foundation is registered as a nonprofit charity in both Costa Rica and the United States, many donations can be tax-deductible, making it an effective way for residents, homeowners, and businesses to give back locally.

Real Community Impact

Since launching in 2024, the Nicoya Peninsula Foundation has quickly become an important catalyst for positive change across the region.

In 2025 alone, the foundation:

Awarded 55 total grants supporting community initiatives
Distributed 28 Quick Impact grants to address urgent local needs
Funded 8 community security grants
Supported 16 education grants and 18 social service grants
Funded 13 environmental projects and 8 infrastructure projects

These efforts have directly impacted more than 4,100 people, while helping create safer, cleaner conditions for more than 20,000 residents and the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to the area each year.

The foundation works closely with local partners including the municipality, community organizations, environmental groups, schools, and law enforcement to ensure projects deliver meaningful results.

Community Achievements

Through its grants and partnerships, the Nicoya Peninsula Foundation has supported many impactful projects throughout the Cóbano district across its focus areas of Education/Social Services, Environment and Infrastructure. Some examples include:

Education/Infrastructure: Construction of five new classrooms at the Santa Teresa public school (in progress, see more below)
Education/Infrastructure: Construction of three new classrooms in Bello Horizonte in partnership with Nantipa
Education/Infrastructure: Construction of an English classroom in Rio Negro (in partnership with Nantipa)
Education/Infrastructure: Key infrastructure repairs and improvements at public schools throughout the district including in: Mal País, Manzanillo, Santa Teresa, Cobano, Montezuma, and Tambor
Education: Literacy teacher training for all 3^rd and 4^th grade teachers throughout the district to support better reading outcomes for our children.
Social Services: Youth programs including soccer, leadership, and sports programs across multiple communitiesthrough Futbol por mi Pais
Social Services: Community English classes helping local workers improve job opportunities
Social Services: Security improvements including installation of 11 cameras and monitoring programs to support community safety
Social Services/Infrastructure: Upgrades to the Santa Teresa soccer field and skate park to improve community recreational spaces
Environment: In partnership with SINAC: environmental kids camps for more than 100 students, focused on ocean protection, wildlife conservation, and wildfire prevention
Environment: Pet sterilization and animal welfare support for 900+ pets in the region by Amigos Perros
Environment: Beach cleanups removing over 11,000 kilograms of waste from local beaches by Waterkeeper Beach Cleanup.

Together, these initiatives strengthen education, environmental protection, public safety, youth programs, and infrastructure throughout the region.

A Major Project: New Classrooms for the Santa Teresa Public School

One of the most important initiatives right now is the project to build five new classrooms at the Santa Teresa public elementary school.

Due to rapid population growth, the school currently operates on half-day schedules with 274 kids, with students attending only four hours per day because of limited classroom space. the school will soon be able to function at full schedule and the enrollment will now be at 380 full time students. This is a huge improvement. The new classrooms will allow the school to transition to full-day education, giving students the opportunity for a complete learning experience. Once completed, all 380 students will be able to attend school full-time, creating a much stronger educational foundation for local children!

The project includes:

3 new primary classrooms
2 preschool classrooms
Expanded dining facilities
Upgrades to electrical, water, drainage, and sanitation systems

Why This Matters for Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa has become a world-class destination, but it remains a small and interconnected community.

Organizations like the Nicoya Peninsula Foundation help ensure that as the region grows, local families, schools, and infrastructure grow with it.

By supporting education, environmental protection, security initiatives, and community programs, the foundation is helping create a more resilient and sustainable future for the Nicoya Peninsula.

How You Can Help

If you love Santa Teresa and the Nicoya Peninsula, consider supporting the foundation.

You can: