Jaco Beach
Month: September 2011
Dominical Beach
Dominical Beach
Malpais / Santa Teresa
Malpais / Santa Teresa
Posted by shamsulislam on Sep 20, 2011 in Southern Nicoya Peninsula | Comments Off
Mal Pais is a peaceful little village with wonderful hotels and some restaurants scattered along five kilometers of road that starts at “El Cruz” the junction where the road from Cobano ends at Playa Carmen. On the southern end it borders with Cabo Blanco Nature reserve while on the northern end borders with playa Carmen, it merges with Santa Teresa where the visitors can find Tourist facilities, shops and a vivacious surf scene.
MalPais and Santa Teresa are placed near the angle of the Nicoya Peninsula and are combined towns, but several people refer to the whole area as Mal Pais. When you listen to about Mal Pais is the top and favorite Surf destination in Costa Rica. Climate in Mal Pais and Santa Teresa is usually complimentary for tourist throughout the year. There are two rainy months during September and October, rest of the year the rain falls during afternoon with sunny mornings and clear skies during the nights.
The coast of MalPais is rocky at many places with weird formations which makes mesmerizing landscape. The jungle forest grows to the shore where rocky outcroppings alternate with sandy pockets of beach, some made up entirely of tiny seashells. The small fisherman port at the southern end of Mal Pais, the boats and fishing tours will take you to the tip of Nicoya Peninsula. The maritime sanctuary of Cabo Blanco is the shelter of aquatic species and you watch dolphins, whale or manta rays by a boat ride. Several hotels in Mal Pais and Santa Teresa can arrange a boat tour with a local fisherman.
While Mal Pais directly borders the Cabo Blanco Nature reserve there is no direct entrance to the park from this side. To discover the Cabo Blanco you have to take a canopy tour on the edge of the nature reserve, or go on a horseback tour. Also bordering the national park is a beautiful beach called Playa Suecos (also called secret beach) it not a secret now, a petite white sand inlet encircled by a rocky projection and it is known for the best snorkeling spots in the Mal Pais area.
You will not find shops and tourist services in Mal Pais, but there are beautiful hotels and vacation lodges ranging from luxury to rustic.
Malpais Area Accommodation
Hotels in Mal Pais-Santa Teresa
The two parallel petite villages Mal Pais and Santa Teresa has a small number of hotels, cabins, few restaurants, mini markets, Pizza huts, burger shops and juices shops for breakfast and shakes, there are two bars and discotheque; Tabu and La Lora that offer night entertainment. We have gathered the details of best and most sought hotels in both the towns.
Flor Blanca Resort
Flor Blanca Resort is placed on the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, on the lovely Pacific Coast. It is the most luxurious hotel in Mal Pais-Santa Teresa area. The beautifully designed and decorated villas spread towards the coastline and throughout the resort’s lush property, where guests will find a restaurant and bar, yoga facility, spa, swimming pool and more.
Manala Hotel
Manala Hotel is located in Santa Teresa, Mal Pais Beach on the Nicoya Peninsula. This is one of the most virgin and beautiful regions of Costa Rica. Endless miles of soft, white sand beach perfect for swimming and surfing.
The hotel offers 8 marvelous, independent and private bungalows. The architecture of the units contains elements of Mediterranean style, with lots of lights, spaciousness and comfort.
Hotel Tropico Latino
Located on a sparkling white sand beach, under the shade of a grove of Pochote trees, the Tropico Latino Lodge is a small intimate hotel located two miles north of Cabo Blanco National Park within Costa Rica’s beautiful Nicoya Peninsula. Set against sun-drenched sands and rolling waves, this exclusive hotel offers luxury and tranquility in one of Costa Rica’s most idyllic settings. They have Restaurant, Swimming pool, Jacuzzi, Spa, Parking lot, Hammocks in front of the beach, Deck for yoga classes, Daily security guards.
The other famous hotels are listed here:
Mariposa Private Beach Homes
Milarepa Hotel
Pranamar Villas and Yoga Retreat
The White House
Hotel Casa Chameleon
La Hacienda Bed and Breakfast
And Many More
Activities
Things to do In Mal Pais – Santa Teresa
Mal Pais and Santa Teresa are famous for surfers of all experience levels. The waves are consistent throughout the year. Between May and October, the region gets the bigger swells.
The famous beaches in this area are Playa Carmen (The first beach driving directly upon arriving to Mal Pais) and Santa Teresa in front of “Brunelas” and La Lora – these are two of the most excellent beaches for all levels, offering very slow and fun waves. The experienced surfers can go to Playa De Los Suecos located 4 Km south (left) of the crossroads. Park your car near the fishing boats and walk south 100 yards along the rocks. You will find a pond through the strait next to the hotel; it is a very fast left hander wave for advanced surfers. Also available are the Reef Wave in Manzanillo (Needs a lot of swell to work well) and the Punta Barrigona: Between Los Suecos and the crossroads – just by Mar Azul restaurant- long left hander.
Daily Trip to Cabo Blanco National Park
Sport Fishing
Getting to Mal Pais – Santa Teresa
By Airplane: You can take a domestic flight from San Jose to Tambor airport (flight takes about 45 minutes) and then take a taxi from Tambor to Mal Pais and Santa Teresa, the taxi will take around 45 minutes.
By Car: You can drive from San Jose to Puntarenas, about 2 hours drive. In Puntarenas take the ferry to Paquera (2 hrs. on the ferry). From Paquera take the road towards Tambor; from Tambor follow the signs to Cobano (about 1 hour drive from Paquera to Cobano) and from there to Santa Teresa and Mal Pais (30 Minutes drive). The Road is paved up to the Cobano and last 7 km are uneven. The total time from San Jose to Mal Pais is around 4-6 hours, depends on the availability of ferry in Puntarenas. Depending on the season the ferry leaves every 2-3 hours.
By Bus: Travel Time 7-8 Hours.
Take the Bus from San Jose to Puntarenas; bus station is located 350 meter north to the Health Ministry building. No Reservation is required. Direct buses depart from 6am to
hours and cost is $3 and it takes 4 hours to reach the Puntarenas.
On arriving to Puntarenas take a taxi to the ferry ($1.5) and buy a ticket to the ferry ($1.5). The ferry goes out of Puntarenas to Paquera every 2 hours, starting at 6:30am. The ferry ride is 2 hours long. From Paquera take the bus to Cobano and from Cobano either takes the bus or a taxi (About 30 minutes ride).
Nearby Attractions:
Barra Honda National Park 109km
Cabo Blanco Absolute Reserve 6km
Montezuma Waterfalls 13km