Mal País is a small tranquil neighborhood, loosely spread out along five kilometers of road. Its southern limit abuts the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve on the very tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, while to the north it runs into Playa Carmen. Here, at the road intersection of “El Cruze”, the road from Cobano ends on the beach of Playa Carmen. Across from the intersection, the busy beach town of Santa Teresa sprawls to the north, with a lively surfer scene, many hotels, bars, restaurants and shops. People often refer to the entire beach area as Mal País, so when you hear of Mal País being one of the top tourist destinations in Costa Rica, it actually means the beaches of Santa Teresa and Playa Carmen. Mal País is a smaller and much more tranquil neighborhood. While in recent years Santa Teresa has seen a boom in development, Mal País has retained its laid-back, small village atmosphere with large patches of unspoiled nature. The coast of Mal País is rocky in most parts, with some bizarre volcanic formations creating fascinating scenery. Old jungle forest grows down to the shore where rocky outcroppings alternate with pockets of beaches, some made up entirely of tiny seashells.
Santa Teresa in Puntarenas is one long stretch of sandy beaches, delightful dining, and endless shops. Its beaches are the perfect place to catch some waves and watch the sunset over the ocean.
According to international surveys, local people of Costa Rica are the happiest people on the planet! Costa Rica is a country blessed with rich vegetation, wonderful landscapes, colonial cities with a special character, vivid colors and hospitable people. This enchanting world will amaze you with its stunning beauty, its music and its hot flavors. Amongst beaches, active volcanoes, and tropical forests, you will notice that Costa Ricans are totally connected with the World Cup and their local saying: "Pura Vida", meaning “simple life” or “pure life” that it is more than just a phrase, it is a way of life!
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