Mal País & Santa Teresa

Introducing Mal País & Santa Teresa

OK, first let’s make a little sense of the nomenclature. Mal País (Bad Country) refers to the southwestern corner of Nicoya that’s famous among surfers for its consistent waves. Santa Teresa refers to the largest village in the area, though this is not to be confused with the smaller villages of Mal País and Carmen. ¿Comprende? Don’t worry if you’re lost – this area is booming, and it’s only a matter of time before it all becomes one big city anyway.

The legendary waves at Mal País have been attracting surfers since the 1970s, so it’s not surprising that many of them grew up and decided to stay. In the last several years, this once isolated corner of the peninsula has become a ‘destination, ’ and widespread development is rapidly carving up the beachfront. Although it’s still too early to tell what the future holds for Mal País, it’s difficult to be optimistic, especially considering the fates of beach towns like Jacó and Tamarindo.

It’s worth saying that Mal País is not for everyone. If you’re an experienced surfer looking for a ‘scene, ’ throw away your itinerary because you’re going to get stuck here. But if you’re looking for an authentic Costa Rican beach town, and ‘surf culture’ isn’t exactly your thing, don’t waste your time coming here.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009