Mal País & Santa Teresa
Once considered a remote preserve, Malpaís was frequented only by die-hard surfers in search of some of the country's largest waves and by naturalists en route to the nearby Cabo Blanco Absolute Reserve.
Since the town and its miles of beach were accessible only down a steep gravel road, it was likely that this reputation might have remained the case. However, as in much of this coastal area, hotels and restaurants are now springing up at both ends of the populated part of the beach, despite the bad roads.
Surfing is best at Playa Santa Teresa, especially at the sandy north end of this long stretch of beach. The more southerly Malpaís end of the beach is rockier but interesting for its tidal pools and beachcombing.
The crowds at both beaches are fairly young, with tanned-and-buff surfers walking or bicycling their boards to wherever the surf is up. But increasingly, older, more upscale visitors are drawn to the tranquility of luxury retreats that cater to mind and body.
Since the town and its miles of beach were accessible only down a steep gravel road, it was likely that this reputation might have remained the case. However, as in much of this coastal area, hotels and restaurants are now springing up at both ends of the populated part of the beach, despite the bad roads.
Surfing is best at Playa Santa Teresa, especially at the sandy north end of this long stretch of beach. The more southerly Malpaís end of the beach is rockier but interesting for its tidal pools and beachcombing.
The crowds at both beaches are fairly young, with tanned-and-buff surfers walking or bicycling their boards to wherever the surf is up. But increasingly, older, more upscale visitors are drawn to the tranquility of luxury retreats that cater to mind and body.