Places to Stay in Mal Pais & Santa Teresa

Mal Pais and Santa Teresa feature a wide variety of mid-range to upscale accommodations. While few offer wireless Internet, most include basic comforts like hot water and air conditioning, and some provide guests with discounted surfboard rental rates.

Intriguing animals such as armadillos, white-faced monkeys, and iguanas stroll the grounds of many hotels, reminding visitors of the area’s abundance of wildlife.

Mal Pais:

South of the crossroads, Mal Pais consists of a five-mile long street paralleling the rocky coast. Beachfront rentals are numerous and affordable, but widely dispersed and far from the town center.  While walking from place to place is possible, a car or ATV is convenient when staying in these fairly isolated hotels.

Mal Pais is quieter in comparison to neighboring Santa Teresa. More rugged accommodations tend to be beachfront, with a few notable exceptions. Hotel prices range from $30-$150 per night. A path to the best vista in town can be picked up from one of the area’s more popular lodges. From this elevated spot the ocean stretches as far as the eye can see, often dotted with rainclouds, whales, pelicans, and surfers. 

Santa Teresa:

In comparison to Mal Pais, Santa Teresa is more lively and dense; from here it is a short stroll to the town’s many supermarkets, Internet cafes and beach entrances.

Budget options run about $10 per night and often include enticing hammocks and comfortable dorm-style rooms. Mid-range to upscale hotels are often situated atop massive hills, boasting incredible views of the Pacific Ocean.  Exclusive resorts are luxurious down to the finest details, and cost upwards of $200 per night.

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