Mal Pais: Tranquilo Backpackers: "MAL PAIS: Costa Rica's Best Kept Secret"
This is for all the younger travelers out there that are planning on going to Costa Rica...
There is so much to see and do in Costa Rica, but the greatest spot in Costa Rica is on the Peninsula de Nicoya on the very south-west tip. It is a place called Mal Pais. It is here where you will spend most of your time.
Getting here is simple. Get to Puntarenas and take the ferry across to Paquera. Grab a taxi and say, "Mal Pais." The taxi will bring you to a tiny town that is a dirt road located along the beach. It is here that this fairly isolated, tiny community thrives. You will stay at Tranquilo Backpackers... the best hostel in Central America. (And yes, I have been to Mondo Taitu in Bocas... and this one is better).
Once you are in Mal Pais, there is so much to do. I recommend renting a surf board and go surfing. This is one of the best spots in all of Cost Rica to surf. So you can surf, or swim, and lay on the beautiful beach all day. Then at dusk, watch the spectacular sunset with all the other on-lookers on the beach.
Another great thing to do is rent a quad (for dirt cheap) and go ripping up and down the deserted beach just north of Mal Pais. Jump dunes and do donuts...park the quad by the water and jump in for a quick dip...then go ripping up into the hills.
There are sweet little restaurants there too, or you can go to the grocery store that's right beside the hostel and buy your dinner. Tranquilo Backpackers has a great kitchen to cook your food. Another plus about the hostel (other than its style and atmosphere) is that every morning there is a free pancake breakfast!
The nightlife in Mal Pais is great. There is a bar called Tabu that is right on the beach. It is a tribal themed bar and occationally you will get some dancers to come and to tribal dances. There is also a bar down the road that is the Mal Pais Surf Camp. Once a week they hold huge parties there... it even has a mechanical bull!
So trust me, people, you do not want to miss out on Mal Pais. It is extremely laid back, and at the same time it is wild.
REVIEWS BY TRIPADVISOR.COM
“tranquilo”
Surfers spot, good Hostel with hammocks all over the place. The mattresses are a little bit dirty in the dorms, but besides that everything fine, the name says what you get
“Great place to relax”
Thank You Travel Blanket for the great review, that basically decided it for us!
Okay, here goes. Tranquilo Backpackers has to be the best place to stay in Mal Pais. If you're looking for something super laidback and relaxed this is the place to go. Lots of the people here are surfers who wake up early in the morning so sleep time is around 11 at the latest each night.
They have a ping pong table and hammocks everywhere which I loved. Be aware though that if you aren't looking for a somewhat sorority feel with a lot of people this may not be the place for you.
It suited my boyfriend and I well though as we just needed a place to sleep and hang out when we weren't on the beach!
So definitely recommend this place and would stay there again.
“Arrêt obligatoire pour surfers, backpackers et personnes sympathiques et relax”
Je suis resté 4 jours au Tranquilo Backpackers et j'ai adoré!
L'endoit est grand et propre, malgré que les chambres soient TRÈS simple (lits + petites cases pour mettre argent et passeports).
Il y a une super cuisine, très grandes et bien équipée.
Ils offrent internet haute vitesse ainsi que des pancakes et le café gratuitement le matin.
C'est un endroit rempli de jeunes bacpackers, la plupart surfers ou aspirants surfers. Il y a une table de billard et de pingpong ainsi que des hamacs partout! La grande cuisine est annexée a un espace couvert ou il y a 3 grandes tables où le soir les gens parlent, font la fête, jouent de la guitare...
Un endroit où il fait bon vivre à proximité de la plage!
“Anything but tranquilo”
Tranquilo backpackers was terrible. It was dirty, noisy and had a weird vibe. We stayed in a double room which was clean but the shower curtain was mouldy and there was an old bandaid in the shower. The toilet was horrible.
There is no glass in the windows so there's no escape from the noise. It got quiet around midnight until people started coming back from partying and sat around talking loudly.
The website says there's internet access but there isn't.
At the moment there's construction work going on right at the entrance so during the day you have to deal with all of that noise as well.
After one night we moved to the Beach Breakers hotel which is more expensive but much nicer.
On the plus side the staff are nice and it's really busy so it would be good if you wanted to meet people I guess. Good for young people looking to party the whole time who don't mind living in a hole.
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.
Sport Fishing
Montezuma - Mal Pais - Santa Teresa - Tambor - Jaco Beach - Herradura Beach
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. As you move out into the deep sea waters you are likely to find Sailfish, large Wahoo, Mahi-Mahi and possibly some Marlin. Our captains, who since childhood has been fishing the waters of Montezuma, will help you learn all the best spots and local secrets. Along with our English speaking guide, your captain will take you on a fishing experience you will never forget.
Our 28ft & 26ft coastal fishing boats are equipped with outriggers and top of the line fishing gear. 4 lines in water plus mate - guide and captain.
Our 30ft & 35 ft Deep Sea Fishing boat are equipped with all the necessary and more for the Marlin and Sailfish and any other big species. Up to 6 lines in the water, life bate, Sport Fishing gear, Beers, Lunch, A/C, bilingual guide, mates and Captain.
We use first class fishing equipment and tackle and while on board, serve you food and drinks for a memorable experience. We offer an array of different fishing trips to provide something for every type of fisherman.
Whether a fisherman at heart or a fisherman’s first start…. you’ll have an incredible fishing experience with us.
Times and Rates
Sunrise Coastal Fishing $ 300.00
Sunset Costal Fishing $ 250.00
Half Day Deep Sea Fishing $ 600.00
Full Day Deep Sea Fishing $ 800.00
* Prices per boat, up to 4 people.
* All Full Day Charters Include: Lunch, Beverages, Bait and Tackle. (short trips only includes snacks and drinks)
In order to confirm your fishing trip, please confirm date, number of people, and your preferred departure spot. (price could change depends on the departure spot. If you do not have your on vehicle we may have to transfer you by land and this cost extra)
OTHER OPTIONS:
Full Day Deep Sea fishing: 8:00am – 4:00pm Full Day 8 Hours
(Departure available from Tambor Beach or Montezuma Beach)
29’ Sport Fishing Yacht
Sun protection, sunglasses and a hat "a must"
INCLUDES:
Refreshments, sandwiches, fruit, boat and all fishing tackle
“Flier Fish” Fishing Yacht
This 7 to 8 hours trip takes you on a exciting all-day fishing expedition.
11 to 30 miles out you will fish for Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado, Wahoo, Tuna and Mackerel on one of the modern twin-engine sport fishing boat completely equipped with the latest in sport fishing gear. Up to 5 passengers.
* 29 feet long
* 2 inboard 280hp Diesel Cumming engines
* 2 outriggers
* 1 fight chair
* Sonar, GPS, Radio
* Rest deck cabin
* Shimano professional fishing rails
* Shimano professional fishing poles
* Capacity for 4 people fishing all the time, but it can take up to 5 adults plus crew.
Rate: US$1500
* Prices per boat, up to 4 people.
* All Full Day Charters Include: Lunch, Beverages, Bait and Tackle.
* Charter boats are skippered by some of Costa Rica’s finest, seasoned, English/speaking Captain and crews, equipped with the finest Shimano offshore and inshore fishing gear from 20 to 130 pound class.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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
The waters of the Pacific Ocean are home to many different species of fish. The species most frequently caught on our trips are listed below.
Tuna – Yellow fin tuna are the most common species of tuna found in the waters off the coast. They are most abundant in the rainy season months when floating logs and other debris are found in the ocean. There are other species of tuna in the area including Skipjack and Big eye Tunas, but the most prized catch is the Yellow fin.
Mahi-Mahi - Also known as Dolphin fish or Dorado, Mahi-Mahi is one of the most exciting offshore game fish to catch and see in the open ocean. When hooked, these beautiful fish "light up" with almost neon colors and put up an exciting, high jumping, tail walking fight. Commonly found near floating objects such as tree branches and other natural debris the rivers wash into the ocean. They feed on the sealife which seek shelter near and in the floating structures, such as flying fish, squid and other small fish.
Sailfish - One of the most predominant species here on the Pacific Coast waters of Costa Rica. You should expect to see many free jumpers and excessive amounts of sailfish during the months of December through May. An exciting fish to reel in, as it performs spectacular jumps out of the water and puts up a good fight. We always practice catch and release with the billfish.
Mackerel - Spanish mackerel prefer open water but are sometimes found over deep grass beds and reefs, as well as shallow water estuaries. They form large, fast-moving schools that migrate great distances along the shore When a large school is found; the action is often fast and furious.
Wahoo – If you love speed then Wahoo is your breed. Considered to be the fastest fish with great endurance, it is a strong fight when hooked. The area is not known to hold great numbers of these fast fish, but you never know. They are found year round in random numbers, however one of these as a catch can provide a GREAT DINNER!
Marlin – Blue, Stripped and Black Marlin is one of the foremost big game species in Costa Rica. The marlin has exceptional size and strength, and is a powerful, aggressive fighter. It runs hard and long, sounds deep, and leaps high into the air in a seemingly inexhaustible display of strength. Marlin is normally found roaming deep waters and congregating near reefs where they find their prey.
Snook - The Snook is a powerful fish and a thrilling catch, much like the freshwater Largemouth Bass. That is one of the reasons why it is one of the most sought after and prized game fish to catch. Once hooked its strength and speed is hard to compare to any other game fish of its size.
Snapper – Many different species of snapper reside in the waters off the coast of Montezuma including red snapper, yellowtail snapper and spotted rose snapper. They are found year round near the shore, over deep reefs and rocky bottoms. Their tasty white meat is a delicacy and provides a delicious dinner.
Sport Fishing Pictures
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