Frequently Asked Questions About Mal Pais & Santa Teresa

Know Before you go To Mal Pais, Costa Rica

Top 10 FAQs About Mal Pais

1 - Is it safe to travel at night from San Jose to Mal Pais / Santa Teresa?
For most part driving at night is super safe. Three things consider pot holes, some parts of the road will be gravel and there will be extended stretches of poorly lit roads. Other than that if you drive carefully you’ll be fine. That being said my suggestion is if you land in San Jose International Airport or Liberia International Airport in the evening hours or at night is to spend the night and drive down the following morning. Both Airports have nice hotel options nearby.

2 - Do I need to have transportation during my stay in Mal Pais / Santa Teresa?
We get that question often and ultimately the answer depends on how you like to travel. Although there are local taxis, it would be limiting not to have a car or an ATV. The towns of Mal Pais and Santa Teresa spread out along 10 km / 6 miles of coastline and there really is lots to do and see. Having a means of transportation will provide the flexibility to explore more of the area and enjoy the dining options and nightlife in town.

3 - Does one need a 4x4 to get to Mal Pais and Santa Teresa?
Short answer is no. Most of the drive is on paved roads and the parts that are gravel are not too bad. Although if you plan on exploring further along the coastline it's a good  idea to get a 4x4 rental. If you book one of our ocean view Airbnb homes you will definitely need to have a 4x4.

4 - Which car rental agencies do you recommend?
Based on our guests experience and online reviews I suggest you go with either Adobe Rent a Car or Alamo Rent a Car. Both have competitive rates and excellent customer service.

5 - Should I fly into Juan Santamaría International Airport in San Jose or Liberia International Airport?
Flying into San Jose International Airport (SJO) is best if you plan on taking a domestic flight from there to the nearby town of Cobano. If you plan on renting a car and driving down It’s easier to fly into Liberia International Airpor (LIB). You can also drive down from SJO, both International airports have all major rental car agencies. However the drive down from SJO will require you to take the ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya. For precise directions and GPS coordinates of our vacation rentals go to our 'Find Us' page.

6 - Which is the closest Airport to Mal Pais and Santa Teresa?
You can take a domestic flight from San Jose International Airport (SJO) to Cobano Airport. It’s the closest to airport to Mal Pais. A quick 35 minute flight from San Jose International Airport will get you to Cobano. There are several airlines that operate in the region,  Sansa Airlines and Costa Rica Green Airways. The drive from Cobano to Mal Pais is approx. 30 minutes.

7 - How come we don't see an address?
Costa Rica does not have an address system. The way things work here is by giving very descriptive directions and distances from landmarks. We have very precise directions on our 'Find Us' page.

8 - Are the towns of Mal Pais and Santa Teresa close to each other?
If you look at a map the two towns practically hug one another. There's an intersection referred to as "El Cruce", which divides the two towns. When coming down from Cobano heading West towards the beach, if you turn right you're in Santa Teresa, if you turn left you're in Mal Pais. If you stay right there in the middle it's the downtown area and there's the main beach called Playa Carmen.

9 - Can you drink the tap water in Mal Pais and Santa Teresa, Costa Rica?
The water source is from AyA which is Costa Rica’s government water company. They do monitor water quality continuously and the water is safe to drink.

10 - Is there an organic fruits and vegetable store in town?
We have an excellent store in town called Green World Store, they have a great selection of fruits, vegetables and even grass fed beef and chicken. They also have spices, grains and nuts available in bulk.

Travel Tips & Goods thing to KNow

Does 911 cover all emergencies?
Yes, dial 911 for any emergency, police, fire or medical.

Coffee lovers
Coffee lovers are in for a treat, Costa Rican coffee is prime. Cafe Britt has the best blends from light to dark roast and are available in all grocery stores.

Withdraw extra cash if traveling during peak season.
If you are traveling in the peak season between Dec 23th - Jan 10th withdraw extra cash while you are in San Jose. The ATMs in town at times run dry.

Download a GPS app
Download Waze or use Google Maps, helps a ton.

Don't leave your bags unattended in vehicle.
If you you are going to park the car and run off to the beach for a few hours it's not a good idea leaving your bags in the car. Same goes if you decide to park your car in the city and eat at restaurant, unless you have eye contact with your car. Like in most cities and tourist areas in the world, petty theft exists. Just be street smart, it's not rocket science.

Local prepaid cell phone chips
If you have an unlocked cell phone you will be able to purchase a prepaid local chip from the local carriers offices. Local carriers include ICE Kolbi, Claro & Movistar. Start with a $10 charge which include talk, text and data. You can recharge the chip in most supermarkets in Costa Rica. Keep in mind to recharge your chip you can only use cash.

Eat more at sodas
A Soda is a typical local restaurant which you can find in any city or beach town. They serve Costa Rican dishes like the typical casado. A casado is basically a piece of fish, chicken or beef with a side of rice, beans, salad and fries. Some sodas add picadillo, fried plantains or a macaroni salad. It's delicious, filling and depending where you go will run you’ll pay approx. $7 a plate. You can get breakfast, lunch and dinner in all sodas.

Buy at the Duty Free!
If you enjoy a glass or two if wine with dinner or a nice poolside cocktail here is a very good tip. When you arrive at San Jose International Airport (SJO), next to the baggage claim there is Duty Free Store. They have a great selection of both wine and liquor for very good prices. get yourself a couple of bottles it’s a mega deal!

What is the Costa Rican Currency?
The Colon is the Costa Rican Currency. The image linked is of a 1000 Colones bill which is approximately $2 USD. For the exact exchange rate check Banco Nacional, they have the current exchange rate at the top right hand corner of their home page.

Can you get Amazon deliveries in Mal Pais?
Yes! Ask how to get your amazon orders delivered to your door step. It does not matter where you are located!

Which Streaming Services work in Costa Rica?
Netflix, HBO Max, Disney + and Amazon. You might not get the exact same movie and TV serie choice as in other countries, but they work.