1

http://malpais-hotels.com/tamarindo-to-mal-pais-mal-pais-shuttle-transportation

Public bus-ferry-bus if you are feeling adventurous.

2

http://www.thebusschedule.com/cr/

3

There is a shuttle between Tamarindo and Montezuma, needs 4 people to go on the trip, $35PP, allow 4.5 hours for the journey. Otherwise, bus/bus/ferry/bus.

You dont mention a budget, so have you looked at Trip Advisor for options?

Mal Pais/Santa Teresa is possibly less hectic and low key than Tamarindo at NYE. I would in fact avoid Tamarindo that entire week. Its just a huge gringo convention.

4

Thanks, we've been kind of worried that tamarindo might be a gringo convention.. we've been to Montezuma twice and love it there.. we just want to make sure whereever we go has decent NYE. any other suggestions for big NYE parties?

5

Well all the beach towns are going to be a NYE celebration to different degrees, if you want a for sure thing, than Tamarindo is one of the more vibrant nightlifes. But that said, most beach towns its the tourist celebrating, and will be like minded travelers partying, some places will be in bars, some bon fires on the beach, some at the hotels/lodges.

I really dont care where I am for NYE, as long as its different each year from home, the last NYE I had in CR was actually in Manual Antonio years ago, and was beach bon fires and then/or the clubs/lounges which were mainly a gay scene and pretty fun. Overall, I think its what you make it, crowds and parties, head to Jaco, Tamarindo or Pt Viejo, more low key gatherings and parties sprinkled about a few places, Nosora, Samara, Mal Pais, Montezuma, Dominical...

I would prefer the Mal Pais/Santa Teresa area personally...then Nosora/Samara areas, or south of Pt Viejo on the caribe side.

6

I think we may do Playa Grande over NYE, then Mal Pais for the remainder. Having trouble finding hotels in Playa Grande (or anywhere) over NYE..

Is there an easier way besides bus ferry bus to get from Playa Grande to Mal Pais?

7

Playa Grande does not have a lot of lodging options',,,,,,,,,,,

..............only other way is to rent a car in Tamarindo and drop in Tambor

8

http://www.nicoyapeninsula.com/playagrande/ - looks like about 17. how many would you want?

9

If you look at shuttle bus santa teresa map in link #1 they do not leave the peninsula in their route to Mal Pais eliminating Puntarenas and the ferry.