Nicoya Peninsula Santa Teresa and Malpais

Just south of the North Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is the extensive coastline of the Nicoya Peninsula, dotted with innumerable picture-perfect beaches, jagged mountains and enclosed by marine rich waters, it’s the perfect holiday destination. With its lack of big chain hotels and developed infrastructure, beaches are almost empty and life is care-free.

Each of the towns and villages along the coast offer their own personality, but most are defined by wellness and water sports; yoga decks are ample, food is exotic and fresh, and surfing, fishing and snorkelling is engrained in everyday living. The area of Nosara is an eclectic mix of surf culture and yoga bliss. The beach of Guiones serves as the surfing hub and is recognised for its excellent beach breaks suitable for both beginners and advanced surfers. The stretch of beach is long with sugar-white sand and secluded bays which offer calm pockets of water ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Accommodation here is remote and luxurious where wellness and tranquillity is key, perfect for honeymooners wanting a touch of privacy.

Further south is the quaint little town of Samara, known for its pristine beaches and palpable ease. The sea here is calm and the beaches are revered for being the safest in the country making it ideal for a family getaway. With stunning coral reefs and calm-clear waters there are a wealth of water activities to be enjoyed, including snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding and sport fishing.

At the tip of the peninsula, the rugged little surf towns of Santa Teresa and Mal Pais ooze a laidback attitude. Revered for their consistent swells and gorgeous white sand beaches it’s a surfers paradise. Life here is simple and there’s little to do but soak up the sun and the surf. For those wanting to explore, a few kilometres away is the Cabo Blanco Wildlife Reserve, one of the pioneering National Parks in the country. Made up of evergreen forest, pristine beaches and offshore islands, the park boasts a dramatic landscape and is home to over 150 species of birds as well as a variety of mammals, making the area ideal for hiking and wildlife viewing.

Wherever you choose to stay along this jungle-fringed coast, you are sure to be rewarded with a sunny climate, laid-back vibe and semi-deserted beaches.