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Mal Pais Beach Costa Rica

Mal Pais is a tranquil community only 2.5 miles (4 km) from Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. The village itself is spread along 2 mile (3 km)stretch of road offering hotels, villas, surf camps, and restaurants. Mal Pais is known as one of the top surfing destinations in Costa Rica because of its un-crowded beaches and its great swells. If you don’t surf then you can just relax under a tree or practice snorkeling among the reefs south of the breakpoints. Two of the main surf spots in Mal Pais are called Playa Santa Teresa and Playa El Carmen. At El Carmen you will find a long right and a shorter left. In Santa Teresa the waves are bigger and are better for surfing at low tide. Simply walk on the beach and enjoy the scenery created by volcanic rock formations in places. It is a 5 hour drive from San Jose during the dry season you can get here with a 2 wheel drive, but during the rainy season you will need a 4x4. This Costa Rican town is pretty much an untouched treasure, but real estate projects are in the works. This would be a great opportunity for anyone who wants to invest in real estate developments near the beach.

The serene village has three main beaches popular among surfers who like secluded areas and sparsely populated beaches. The dirt road that runs parallel to the beach has some good cafes and restaurants where you can sip a drink. The restaurants are mainly in the hotels and the food is delicious. The town was settled by a group of locals about thirty years ago and today an increasing number of foreigners are settling here to leave behind everyday routines in their home countries. This is basically a surfer town where at night they gather at the local bars and share stories of an exciting day of wave riding listening to reggae and dancing. Tourists also have the option to go to a surf camp where the guides will show you about the best breaks and share with you their experience of living in the tropics. Make sure that you visit Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve during your stay here; this natural sanctuary has a lot to offer nature lovers.

When you literally translate the name Mal Pais from Spanish it means “bad country”. It is not quite clear why someone would have named this exquisite and lush land in a negative way. One thing about this area is that once you get here you will have time to relax and enjoy one of the most beautiful places in the country. If you are looking for a calm atmosphere apart from the other noisy more popular beach towns then this destination should be on your list of places to visit. The nearby Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve serves as a nursery for many aquatic species so that scuba diving can be a thrilling experience here. The Isla Cabo Blanco, right off the coast, is a distinctive landmark. This bird sanctuary got its name from the bird guano that colored the isle white. The reserve is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 am to 4 pm and you can hike from the entrance to the beach on a 2.5 mile (4 km) trail. Expect to have your belongings searched when you leave the reserve.