The fishermen village

The fisihing village where you can enjoy of amazing tide pools in low tide.

Mal Pais, Costa Rica is the southern neighbor of the popular tourist town, Santa Teresa but many people lump Mal Pais, Santa Teresa and Playa Carmen in as one. While Santa Teresa and Playa Carmen has grown substantially to become one of the top tourist destinations in Costa Rica, Mal Pais has retained its rural and relaxed local vibe.

If you’re visiting Santa Teresa and prefer to stay away from the commercialized touristy areas of the town, check out Mal Pais. Even though the name in Spanish means “bad country” (because it’s not good to live in during summer since all the rivers dry up and it gets very dusty), it’s actually the complete opposite for tourists. It’s actually an excellent to go surfing and fishing in Costa Rica!

Mal Pais is a tiny village and doesn’t have much. Since it’s primarily a fishing village, you can find the main fishing port where local fishermen go about their daily lives and tourist go for world class fishing. It also has great surfing during certain times of the year when there is a swell but other than that, you won’t find much else

You will need to go into Santa Teresa for supermarkets, banks, pharmacies and things like that.

Playa Sueco and Secret Beach are two of the names given to this hidden gem. Located behind the fishing village in Mal Pais, this beach is perfect for an afternoon picnic and dip. (If you can find it!) Be sure not to leave any valuables in your car or unattended.

A great activity to do in Mal Pais is a Stand Up Paddle tour. Paddle boarding in the the famous Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve is an experience you won’t soon forget. It is one of the most fascinating coast lines in all of Costa Rica. It has a rich history. There’s no better way to experience the reserve than on a paddle board.