Tortuga Island Tour
A full day adventure, all-inclusive to Tortuga Island, Costa Rica.
Cruising along the coast for a breathtaking 50-minute boat ride is how you’ll begin your voyage to Tortuga Island. Jagged volcanic rock spills into the sea to create a dramatic contrast with the brown sand, red rocks and crushed shells that make up the variety of different beaches along the way.
Tortuga Island Tour
A full day adventure, all-inclusive!
Tortuga Island - Tour Information:
Tour Time & Rates:
English Speaking Guides.
Season Rates:
$50 per person. (including 2 snorkeling trips)
Important Notes:
Tortuga Island tour operated from Montezuma Beach
Cruising along the coast for a breathtaking 50-minute boat ride is how you’ll begin your voyage to Tortuga Island. 
Tour Time & Rates:
English Speaking Guides.
Season Rates:
$50 per person. (including 2 snorkeling trips)
Important Notes:
Tour Description:
Whether you're 2 or 92 no visit to Costa Rica is complete without a trip on Calypso's world famous Tortuga Island Cruise. 
Her white clad crew pampers guests with fresh tropical fruits and drinks. In the morning the catamaran will pass thru the islands of San Lucas, Gypsy, Sugar Loaf, Guayabo; Jesusita, Cedros and Negritos with Tortuga Island as the destination.Sip cold wine in the shade of white umbrellas at tables covered with white linen and be served the midday feast. A sumptuous delight, featured in Gourmet Magazine, starts with a ceviche appetizer and followed by a medley of salads.
The main dish is a delightful bar-b-qued breast of chicken covered in a mouthwatering tropical sauce accompanied with julienned vegetables all cooked fresh on the grill by Calypso's expert crew.The Captain and his crew are the masters of this seascape. They are seasoned mariners who will convey their love of Costa Rica to you. Sightseeing, sunbathing, diving, exploring, swimming, eating, drinking, and relaxing.
Includes:
• Air-Conditioned Bus Transportation to and from San José, Jacó and Quepos / Manuel Antonio.
• Costa Rican Typical Breakfast
• BBQ lunch served with Chilled White Wine
• Soft Drinks and Fresh Fruit
• Live Music
• Multilingual Guide
What To Take:
• Casual clothes
• Bathing suit or shorts
• Suntan lotion
• Camera
• Sun glasses
• Tight fitting hat
• Light weight long sleeved shirt
• Rubber sandals, tennis or boat shoes.
• Don't forget your towels!
• Extra Cash for: Alcoholic beverages, optional tours, souvenirs, tips.
***High Healed or Hard Sole Shoes not permitted on board yacht
Optional Island Activities:
• Canopy adventure
• Kayaks - Paddle boats
• Snorkeling excursion
• Banana boat ride
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"Like a long running Broadway Show, Calypso Cruises attention to detail and dedication to giving you the best day of your Costa Rica vacation, is also the oldest and best-known one-day tour in Costa Rica. Enjoy the whitest Costa Rica Beach"
Tortuga Island Tour
The Tortuga Island tour combines an enjoyable yacht trip with memorable fun in the sun on a tropical island just off the coast. After being picked up at their San José hotel, guests will enjoy a scenic drive to the Pacific port town of Puntarenas. There, they will board the luxury yacht Calypso for the cruise across the Gulf of Nicoya to Tortuga Island. The crew will serve delicious tropical drinks and exotic fruits during the trip.
The tropical island has a magnificent white-sand beach and inviting, clear blue waters. Guests will have plenty of time for snorkeling, exploring, lounging on the beach, playing volleyball with the crew or just relaxing to the sound of waves gently breaking on the sand. A delicious Tortuga Island buffet lunch and wine will be served on the beach. Guests return to San José in the late afternoon.
Tortuga Island Tour
A hidden tropical island with dreamy white-sand beaches and incredibly blue waters awaits just off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica’s. We’ll pick you up at your San José hotel and drive you through lush mountains en route to the Pacific port city of Puntarenas, where you’ll board the Calypso, a luxury yacht. You’ll then begin a sun drenched cruise across the picturesque Gulf of Nicoya to Tortuga Island. Along the way, an attentive crew will serve fresh tropical fruit and exotic drinks.
Once on the island, you can enjoy the magnificent sugar-white beach and gentle turquoise waters. You’ll have ample time for snorkeling, lounging on the beach, playing beach volleyball with the crew, exploring the island or just plain relaxing in this tropical paradise. You will be served a delicious buffet lunch with wine, right on the beach, before returning to San José in the late afternoon.
Tortuga Island
This island in the Gulf of Nicoya is usually seen as part of a popular day-trip excursion that begins with a bus ride from San Jose to Puntarenas. From there, a boat takes you to the island for a day of snorkeling, paddling or sunbathing on sands as white and soft as fresh-ground sugar. There are several companies that offer the trip, and most include a hot lunch served on the beach.
Tortuga Island Cruise
From there, a boat takes you to the island for a day of snorkeling, paddling or sunbathing on sands as white and soft as fresh-ground sugar. There are several companies that offer the trip, and most include a hot lunch served on the beach. Once underway the Manta Raya will cruise past the lush mangroves, canneries and stilt houses of Puntarenas. As she makes her way to the Gulf of Nicoya her white clad crew pampers guests with fresh tropical fruits and drinks. In the morning the catamaran will pass the islands of San Lucas, Gypsy, Sugar Loaf, Guayabo, Jesusita, Cedros and Negritos with Tortuga Island as the destination.
Tortuga Island
Particularly enchanting for it's beauty, Tortuga Island is known for its immaculate white sand beach and turquoise waters, a perfect stop for swimming, snorkeling and Calypso's Famous Lunch. For passenger safety and convenience Manta Ray has a bow ramp which allows her passengers to disembark directly onto the beach.
Sip cold wine in the shade of white umbrellas at tables covered with white linen and be served the midday feast. A sumptuous delight, featured in Gourmet Magazine, starts with a ceviche appetizer and followed by a medley of salads. The main dish is a delightful bar-b-qued breast of chicken covered in a mouth-watering tropical sauce accompanied with julienned vegetables all cooked fresh on the grill by Calypso's expert crew.
Tortuga Island
ith an average of 120 weekly visitors, Tortuga Island is the most popular of Costa Rica's islands. It actually consists of 2 uninhabited islands, situated in front of the Curu Wildlife Refuge. The clear, turquoise waters afford excellent snorkeling and diving, and the white sand beaches lined with swaying palm trees provide the most sought-after setting in the world: a tropical island paradise.
Besides local operators, tour companies offer day trips from San José or Puntarenas to the Tortuga Island. You can also go on a small canopy tour there or hike the trail through the tropical dry forest to a lookout point.
Tortuga Island - One Day Tour
Enjoy a day in the sun on board Calypso's 71 foot state - of - the - art catamaran, Manta Raya. Sit in one of the fresh water deck pools or lie on one of the giant nets overlooking the ocean while cruising the calm waters of the Gulf of Nicoya on your way to the beautiful white sand palm studded beach of Tortuga Island .
Enjoy a swim in the warm turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean and then sit down to a delicious BBQ lunch expertly prepared and elegantly served in Calypso's private shaded dining area. Calypso's attention to detail and recognition as the industry's standard for excellence, guarantees to make your holiday vacation in paradise, a perfect day.
What makes Calypso's Catamaran Cruise unique? Manta Raya is equipped with a bow ramp to safely disembark her passengers directly on to the beach.
Manta Raya's speed allows for more time on the island and will get you back to San Jose , Jaco or Manuel Antonio in time for dinner. The catamaran Manta Raya is equipped with two fresh water deck pools and two giant hammocks perfect for sunbathing on her expansive forward deck.
On the return trip to Puntarenas, the oldest port and heart of commercial fishing in Costa Rica, our passengers have the opportunity to see different islands: the largest bird sanctuary in Central America for the Brown Pelican, the Magnificent Frigatebird and Brown Booby, the old prison of San Lucas, Negritos Biological Reserve plus islands that are Indigenous grave sites.
The Calypso lunch has been featured in Gourmet Magazine. The famous ceviche appetizer is so wonderful it won an international recipe contest.
Trip Includes: Bi-lingual Guide, air-conditioned bus, transportation to and from San Jose , Jaco or Manuel Antonio, light morning snack, BBQ lunch and salad bar, chilled white wine, dessert, soft drinks, natural fruit juice and a variety of fresh tropical fruits. Live music. Tortuga Island Costa Rica
Tortuga Island Cruise
Recommended Clothing: Swimsuit, change of clothes, waterproof shoes or sandals, towel
Why leave Costa Rica, without a visiting Calypso's world famous Tortuga Island Cruise.
In the hotel lobby you will be greeted by a bilingual guide, embark on an air-conditioned bus along with a continental breakfast. The bus ride takes you to the pacific port of Puntarenas. On arrival you will embark on the Manta Raya (52 foot catamaran) once underway the crew will pamper you with fresh tropical fruits and drinks. Tortuga Island is known for its immaculate white sand beaches and turquoise waters, a perfect stop for swimming, snorkelling and Calypso's famous lunch. Sip cold wine in the shade of white umbrellas at tables covered with white linen while you are served the midday feast.
This sumptuous gourmet delight starts with a ceviche appetizer and is followed by a medley of salads. The main dish is a delightful mixes of meat and vegetables all cooked fresh on the grill by Calypso's expert crew.
Tortuga Island Information
This dreamy island paradise fringed with tall swaying coconut palms, sugary white sand Beaches and emerald waters invites absolute tranquility and luxury. There are numerous tour operators that will whisk you by boat to Tortuga Island most commonly departing from Jaco or Puntarenas and is about a 90 minute ride with plenty of amazing scenic views.
Once you’ve arrived spend the glorious day swimming, playing volleyball, Hiking the forested hills, or simply sun bathing in the warmth of the sun and beauty of the area. For those seeking adventure take part in the canopy tour and zip line that will fly you through the tree tops giving you a birds eye view of the forest. For some aquatic fun get on a water bike, kayak the coast line or venture out on a glass bottom boat.
A huge attraction to this exotic island is its outstanding Scuba Diving sites and excellent snorkeling opportunities to view marine life such as sting rays, angel fish, sharks, Spinner dolphins and octopus. Unique and exclusive to the vecinity and all of Central America is the dive site with three sunken boats and diving outfitters that will take you there up close and personal. It’s easy to make this destination an unforgettable part of your Costa Rican adventure.
Tortuga Island Catamaran Cruise
Costa Rica is famous for its romantic day cruises to its exotic Pacific Islands! After a comfortable ride to the Pacific coast, you will board a luxurious yacht for the Pacific Island adventure.Our final destiny, the Tortuga (Turtle) Island which is famous for pristine white sand beaches, crystal clear water and superb snorkeling. A wonderful seafood buffet will be served on the beach. You will not want to miss this island paradise adventure! (Includes snack & lunch).Tortuga Island is a reflection today of the more than twenty years of hard work by a Costa Rican family in the field of conservation and sustainable development. Over the last two years the island has seen changes that allow visitors to enjoy its natural beauty to the fullest.
Beauty, Tortuga Island is known for its immaculate white sand beach and turquoise waters, a perfect stop for swimming, snorkeling and Calypso's Famous Lunch. For passenger safety and convenience Manta Ray has a bow ramp which allows her passengers to disembark directly onto the beach.
Sip cold wine in the shade of white umbrellas at tables covered with white linen and be served the midday feast. A sumptuous delight, featured in Gourmet Magazine, starts with a ceviche appetizer and followed by a medley of salads. The main dish is a delightful barbeque breast of chicken covered in a mouth-watering tropical sauce accompanied with julienne vegetables all cooked fresh on the grill by Calypso's expert crew. The Original "Calypso Catamaran Cruise".
The tour leaves from San José or Jaco area hotels and includes transportation to the dock, a 2 hour cruise on the luxury Manta Ray catamaran which offers an indoor bar, outdoor jacuzzi and first class service. Upon your arrival at the island, you will be treated to a ceviche appetizer, followed by a gourmet lunch. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy the calm waters and white sand beach of Tortuga.
Diving Isla Tortuga
Paradise Tortuga Island is located on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica in the Nicoya Peninsula, which is surrounded by an abundance of dive sites, most of which are accessible within a thirty minutes boat ride.
Isla Tortuga and its surroundings are famous around the world because is the only area in Costa Rica and Central America with three sank boats, where we provided one of the best diving adventures in Costa Rica. Average visibility ranges from 30 ft. to 50 ft. with possibilities of up to 80 ft. We dive volcanic rock formations and rock pinnacles.
Our local dive sites offer white tip sharks, giant schools of grunt, yellowtails, spotted eagle rays, turtles, stingrays, angel fish, octopus, sea horses, starfish, frog fish and many species of eels.
Tortuga Island is the only place in Costa Rica where you can dive all the year around.
The outside temperature at the beaches is 85° to 90° year round. The rainy season runs from May to November, with these months providing some of our best diving. Since we are located in a protected area and do not have rivers draining into our water and visibility is not adversely affected by the rain. In fact, visibility is often enhanced as the rain settles the plankton and rich nutrients that are abundant in Costa Rica.
Montezuma Hotels Online Reservations Sitemap
TOURS & ACTIVITIES
Malpais Adventures has been Mal Pais Santa Teresa leading adventure travel company since 1993.
We live for introducing like-minded adventurers to the natural beauty hidden away in the outer reaches of this region - a good many sights rarely seen by the human eye. We guarantee an adventure that reflects our long standing commitment to real life-changing experiences and world-class service.
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Tel: 011(506) 8849-8569 (Costa Rica)
Fax – Costa Rica: 011(506) 2642-0891
Fax – New York: (646) 417-5171
Fax – Los Angeles: (213) 402-3893
Skype: traveltocr
TAXI BOAT SERVICES
Travel the scenic way in our taxi boats and save time as we take you from the shores of Montezuma to Jaco beach and back. Our boats depart daily from the center of Montezuma a 9:30am for the one-hour ride across to the mainland.
Departures leave from Herradura beach, just north of Jaco, at 10:45am for the return trip to Montezuma at 12:00pm
CURU REGURE TOUR
The Wild live Refuge of Curu is the best place in the Nicoya Peninsula to see many different species of animals such as; howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata), white face monkeys (Cebus capucinus), and spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi).
SCUBA DIVINGThe warm, crystal-clear waters of Tortuga Island and the Costa Rica Pacific are home to a vast array of sea life making Tortuga Island is one of Costa Rica's top diving destinations. At our PADI & CMAS Dive Center, professional diving instructors combine their expertise with the utmost personal attention in scuba lessons for every level of PADI & CMAS Certification. Whether you are a beginner or a certified diver, this is a fun, safe and exciting day you'll never forget.
SPORT FISHING
With the Pacific Ocean, abundant in marine life and the lush tropical ambiance, its no surprise Costa Rica is one of the worlds top fishing destinations.
The coastal waters are home to many Yellow-fin Tuna, Mackerel, Jack and Mahi-Mahi.
HORSEBACK RIDES
See the beauty of Montezuma from the tranquil pace of horseback. Jungles, mountains, beaches and waterfalls are all within easy reach.
At El Pinto expeditions, we offer quality tours for a wonderful horse-riding and all round natural experience for everyone, no matter what riding level or previous experience.
No previous experience at all? No problem, that is our bilingual guide’s specialty.
He has lead many people through their first ride with equal attention to safety and enjoyment.
The booming surf paradise of Mal Pais / Santa Teresa is the place to see or be seen this summer. Check out everything you need to build your vacation of a lifetime here!
Mal Pais and Santa Teresa lie on the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, which juts far into the Pacific Ocean on Costa Rica's Northern Pacific coast. A few nautical miles out away from the shore, the ocean bottom drops to over one thousand meters deep.
Fish that dwell in the open ocean are often close to the shore, providing a spectacular environment for diving, fishing, snorkeling, and scenic boating, with visibility during the dry season of depths up to 100 feet.
Depending on the time of year, visiting Mal Pais / Santa Teresa area may bring you encounters with a wide array of sharks, tuna, manta rays, dolphins, jacks, barracuda, turtles, and even migrating whales traveling past the Malpais bay.
The convergence of major marine currents coupled with the tropical climate and plankton blooms during the heavy rains supports a nutrient rich environment that is a lifeline in the migration routes of many species. Large schools of brilliant and majestic fish, soft coral systems, and mollusks abound in the rich maritime environment close to shore.
Mal Pais is a tranquil and modest seaside village with moderate and casual hotels spread out along three kilometers of road. While in recent years Santa Teresa has seen a boom in development, Malpais has retained a quiet and tranquil atmosphere with large areas undeveloped and unspoiled.
Mal Pais along the coast is rocky in most places, with fascinating volcanic formations gracing unique natural scenery. Old growth jungle stretches right into the shore, where one may find a wide range of shore quality, from short sandy stretches, to rocky outcroppings, or beaches composed entirely of tiny crumbling seashells. Mal Pais is an ideal place to experience solitude within striking, unspoiled shore life.
The village of Mal Pais is nearly devoid of shops and tourist services, although hotels and dining options cover a wide range from local rustic to high budget restaurants with tremendous views into the hills of Guanacaste.
At the southern tip of Mal Pais is a small fishing port, which serves as a base for boat tours around the tip of the peninsula. Fishermen will be guaranteed a good catch on nearly any day, and sightseers will not be disappointed if they visit the waters of the maritime sanctuary of Cabo Blanco.
At the southern end Mal Pais borders the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, while to the north it merges with Santa Teresa, where there's lot of shops, tourist facilities and a vibrant, hip and thriving surfer scene. Although Malpais is famed as one of the top surf destinations in Costa Rica, the most popular surf spots are actually on the beaches of its neighbor to the north, Santa Teresa, known on the international scene as the "New Eldorado."
Important links:
http://thecostaricashuttle.com
http://www.shuttlesantateresa.com
http://budgetcarental-costarica.com
http://www.montezuma-hotels.com
http://www.transportation-costarica.com
New hotels and shops are springing up every day in Santa Teresa, and this former small fishing village with a 5-kilometer dirt road down the middle of town, has claimed the hearts of many who were just passing through on a surfing vacation, and decided to stay forever. Broad sandy beaches have surf for the advanced as well as the beginner. International tastes have brought a wide range of flavors to the restaurant scene of Santa Teresa, and during the high season especially there is abundant nightlife, dancing, and a range of live music to choose from. Day activities at that time of year span an interesting range of international influences, and visitors may find themselves passing on the traditional tropical fun to enjoy a class in acrobatics or choose from a wide range of yoga at different hotels. As the sun sets, everyone heads to the sprawling beach to watch the sunset and make plans for the evening.
Malpais is situated on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica on the southern tip of the Nicoya peninsula. Also known as the Hawaii of Latin America, there are several beaches to swim, dive or snorkel though it's main attraction is it's unique conditions for surfing and it's pristine subtropical nature.
Malpais is situated on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica on the southern tip of the Nicoya peninsula.
Also known as the Hawaii of Latin America, there are several beaches to swim, dive or snorkel though it's main attraction is it's unique conditions for surfing and it's pristine subtropical nature.
Horseback riding, sport fishing, canopy tours, scuba, and nature tours make up some of the other popular activities nearby. Malpais is a community unlike any other in Costa Rica with a strong surf culture and a the laid-back atmosphere that maintains the type of earthy tourism that made Costa Rica famous.
The Cabo Blanco National Park is located 3 Km south, a paradise for tourists, students of biology and ecology. It's name derives from the Chorotega Indians who inhabited the area, they discovered a very smooth stone with wich they could draw, "mah pah" was the name they called it, hence the name according to one version.
MalPais boasts a great selection of places to stay and eat from camping on the beach to luxurious resorts and a wide range of activities. Without a doubt it's a very attractive place to relax and enjoy the golden rays of the Pacific sunset.
Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa extends for approximately 6 km. It has grown quite quickly in the last few years with people coming from all corners of the world, some settled and transformed this little fishing village into one of Costa Rica's trendiest destinations. With waves for the beginner to the fearless pro, waves are available for all, year round.
In the past there was a huge cattle farm, which in time got subdivided between locals, and then eventually was sold to foreigners seeking a place in Paradise. Today in Santa Teresa you will find many restaurants, places to stay to accommodate all budgets, horseriding, volleyball, beach soccer, canopy or even ultralight flying are but a few or it's diverse activities, whether you want to surf or just relax this is one of the Pacific's greatest spots.
Mal Pais Hotels
Malpais and Santa Teresa have many hotels and accomodations that range from beach hammocks, to cabinas, to four star luxury hotels. In this beautiful and tranquil beach community of Costa Rica there is something for everybody.
Surf in Playa Carmen – Mal Pais
10 major reasons that have turned to Costa Rica into a destiny for surfers and their families:
1. Warm waters and deserted beaches with paradisiac landscapes
2. Year-round consistent waves
3. Excellent instructors in all the region and incredible surf camps
4. More than 700 of coastline combined on both the Caribbean and Pacific which generates surf for all levels
5. Thousands of break points
6. International surfing competitions
7. Many openings from rivers to the sea especially in the Pacific coast make the surf more interesting
8. There are no gigantic waves as you might find all year in Hawaii but kilometres of consistent breaks
9. Costa Rica is so small that it is very easy to move from one beach to another and to have access
10. There is a culture of acceptance of surfeadores, many shops rent boards, bars and restaurants and hotels want to help make your surfing vacation an unforgettable one - and one of these places is Hotel Playa Carmen.
Surfing in Playa Carmen - Mal Pais
The best climate is December to April.
This area is the ideal destination for surfers looking to be in a remote, calm place, with good waves and a comfortable atmosphere and many places with excellent atmosphere.
As the beach is covered with reef rocks it makes for an interesting wave formation near the beach. When the breaks are bigger check out the Manzanillo Reef to the south of Playa Carmen. The best waves can be found to the southeast of Playa Carmen.
OPEN SURF INTERNATIONAL
Costa Rica will be the Venue for the World Open Surf Tournament. The tournament will be on March 8 and 9 and Playa Carme is hopeful their surfers will do well in the Copa Day & Night. Carmen Beach will hope to the surfeadores in the Glass Day & Night.
Surfers from 40 different nations will descend on beautiful Jaco Beach.
Costa Rica will compete with countries like Brazil and South Africa, two huge powers in the world of surf.
The waters of Playa Hermosa were chosen by the ISA due to their constancy in waves and their proximity (4 km) to the center of Jacó, a city that has the required infrastructure developed to provide accommodation for a large amount of people.
Not only did the natural riches of Costa Rica weigh in it's favor in the decision to choose this as the destination for this match, but also the excellent role Costa Rican surfers have played abroad.
In the last edition of this World Tournament held in Huntington Beach, CA in 2006 Costa Rica came in eighth place out of 40 nations.
Mal Pais around the web:
Mal Pais is a tranquil little village with charming hotels loosely spread out along three kilometers of road.
At the southern end it borders the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve while to the north it merges with Santa Teresa where you find shops, tourist facilities and a vibrant surfer scene.
Mal Pais
Although Mal Pais is famed as one of the top surf destinations in Costa Rica, the most popular surf spots are actually on the beaches of
While in recent years Santa Teresa has seen a boom in development, Mal Pais has largely retained its quiet atmosphere with large areas of unspoiled nature.
The coast of Mal Pais is in many places rocky, with some bizarre volcanic formations creating fascinating scenery.
On a beach walk flocks of pelicans will sometimes be your only company. Old growth forest spills down to the shore where rocky outcroppings alternate with sandy stretches and beaches made up entirely of tiny shells.Playa SuecosAt the southern end of Mal Pais is the small fishermen port which is also the basis for tours by boat around the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. The maritime sanctuary of Cabo Blanco serves as a nursery for many aquatic species and from your boat you can watch dolphins, manta rays or whales. If you are into fishing, a good catch is almost guaranteed.There is no entrance to the Cabo Blanco Park from the Mal Pais side but there are various options to explore the direct neighbourhood of the National Park. You can swoop through the jungle on a canopy tour, amble on horseback through the hills of Cabo Blanco, or hike along the coast: Playa Las Suecas lies on the border to the National Park. You get there by passing by the fishermen port, then follow the dirt road until you see a small path to your right which takes you to the beach. The large rocky pool of Playa Las Suecas is the best spot for snorkeling in Mal Pais.
The village of Mal Pais is essentially devoid of shops and tourist services. Hotels and dining options however range from top notch to rustic though Mal Pais Costa Ricascenic beachfront with the surf bashing over jagged cliffs and views across the beach of Santa Teresa and far beyond to the hills of Guanacaste.
From Mal Pais to the Cabo Blanco National Park
From the village center of Mal Pais it's a scenic 9 km drive to Cabo Blanco on a little road over the hills and via the small village of Cabuya. The first 2 kms of way passes through a river valley with marvelous lush jungle covering steep slopes on both sides. Then the road goes steeply uphill into the rolling hills of the Cabo Blanco backlands. There are no houses all the way to Cabuya (7 km from Mal Pais) and you have to cross two rivers. In rainy season this is not always possible.
Before the road drops down to Cabuya you will have a panoramic view of the valley of Cabuya with the prominent Cemetery Island.
The Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve opens at 8 a.m. and the earlier you go the more you will see. A hike to the beach of Playa Cabo Blanco and return takes approx 4 hours. Open hours are 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Mondays and Tuesdays the Cabo Blanco Reserve is closed.
A small costal community some 150 km west of the capital city San Jose, Mal Pais lies at the southeastern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in Puntarenas province. Around 4 km north of the Cabo Blanco National Park, this quaint beachfront village is fast becoming one of Costa Rica’s hottest tourist attractions. Extending some 6 kilometers east to west, Mal Pais is a great place to kickback, relax and surf some great waves.
A surfer’s paradise with consistent waves, good swells and a long beach break, Mal Pais is a rocky beach with sandy stretches and is covered with pretty sea shells. With lush vegetation growing alongside the coast, this uncrowded area is prefect for those who want a peaceful and quiet vacation away from the crowds. Regarded as one of Costa Rica’s best Pacific Coast beaches, Mal Pais is just a few miles south of Playa Santa Teresa, Costa Rica’s top surf spots.
With waves that are ideal for the beginner as well as the expert surfer, this beach also offers plenty of water sports such as fishing tours, sports fishing, scuba diving, kite surfing and snorkeling. For those who prefer some land based activities there is horseback riding, canopy tours, mountain biking, quad biking and some great hiking trails to explore.
If you are an avid bird watcher, Mal Pais is home to a huge number of coastal and migratory birds that are a treat to see. The nightlife here is also plenty of fun, with a number of bars and parties held on a frequent basis. However, there are plenty of quiet places along the beach’s secluded coves, reefs and tide pools to have a romantic evening.
Great weather all year round makes Mal Pais, among Costa Rica’s trendiest vacation destinations. Usually uncrowded most of the time, enjoy the area’s natural beauty with plenty of luxury and affordable accommodations, bars and restaurants dotting the coast. A major pastime here is just relaxing on the beach or sunbathing.
When getting to Mal Pais it is important to keep in mind that there are two ways to get here. One is to catch a ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera or Playa Naranjo and then drive out here. Or you could take a domestic flight from San Jose to Tambor then take a taxi out to Mal Pais.
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