From the archives — this was one of our first reviews, written in 2013.
I will start this review by saying, if you were looking for amazing steak, the post for Cocolores in Montezuma is where to go. This review is a steak review, but not the same kind. We did not have a lot to do so most of our days were spent exploring where any of the roads from Cobano would take us. One afternoon after driving a few hours, we decided to stop for a drink and a bite at Habanero in Playa Santa Teresa.
Habanero · Playa Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
In spite of being a resort, the atmosphere was low-key. That was pretty much the case anywhere in this part of Costa Rica. It was situated right on the sand and was a nice place to sit back and watch the waves.
Outdoor Seating · Pacific Views
Mauricio ordered nachos with steak. Steak was not an option on the menu but there was a steak entrée, so it never hurt to ask. The nachos were very good. The veggies were fresh and the seasoned sour cream was a nice touch.
Nachos with steak · ask and you shall receive
One downside of the restaurant was that it was cash only. That was a little odd since it was inside a resort. The southern Nicoya Peninsula was not the kind of place where you wanted to drive around with a lot of cash. The menu was somewhat pricey compared to most local places. After we ordered some drinks we realized we were not carrying enough cash to order food, so Mauricio had to leave and drive up the road to a store with an ATM.
Our take on Habanero was that if you were staying close by, it was worth a try. We would have gone back for drinks while exploring the area but were not impressed enough to drive that far for dinner.
Note: Cash only — bring enough before you arrive. The nearest ATM required a drive. Habanero is now permanently closed.
Ceviche with fresh guacamole · generous on flavor, light on the chips
Back to the Costa Rica overview — or read about Cocolores for the real steak experience