Las Cascadas | Costa Rica |

Cóbano

Cóbano is the nearest town with a bank and a stop-sign, and is the commercial hub of the southern Nicoya Peninsula. It also offers three grocery stores, a carnicería (butcher), a French and local bakery, several restaurants, a post-office, a hardware store, IT supply shops, mechanic and repair shops, telephone, power, and governmental offices, and other services typical of a small town. Cobano is famed for its week-long rodeo held each year in mid-May. The event continues over a period of two weekends and intervening week, and includes the “Tope” (horse parade), competitive horsemanship, bull riding, local artisanal booths, a fairground with children’s rides, a variety of food stalls, dancing, very loud music, and beer.

Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa lies on the opposite side of the Nicoya Peninsula from Montezuma. It occupies the northern end of the 10-kilometer beach road that extends from Cabo Blanco to Playa Hermosa, and has been an engine of growth over the last several years. It has become an international surfer’s mecca for its long, well-shaped and predictable waves. On the dirt road through town, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, and pedestrians carrying surfboards move to and from the strip's various surf spots. A lush coastal boundary of palm trees and rainforest separate the beach from the road, with several small, single-story, hotels established right on the beach on government concession land. Hotels range from surf hostels to luxury spa retreats. The Santa Teresa area has also drawn expatriate investment and construction along the main road and up the forested sides of the hills. This growth and change in economic orientation has brought investment also in the variety of restaurants, banking, and other services. Access, however, is still a challenge (the road from Montezuma to Santa Teresa being in perennial, heavily pot-holed disrepair), as are persistent water shortages (water must now sometimes be trucked in to supply homes and commercial interests). The tourist operations, in addition to promoting surfing lessons, fishing, horseback riding, and ATV rentals, also invariably promote visits to Cabo Blanco and the “famous” waterfalls of Montezuma.

Malpaís

Malpaís is a small neighborhood south of Santa Teresa. The shores of Malpaís, while they also offer excellent surfing, are predominantly of rock and shell beaches. It is an attractive and relatively ecologically intact area, with abundant natural forests, wildlife, and limited hotels and commercial facilities. It offers a small vessel launch area, and several local fishing (red snapper, wahoo, roosterfish and mackerel) and tourist services, with direct marine access by Panga to coastal areas of Cabo Blanco, where many protected species can be observed (including dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles, and whales). Also available are canopy tours along the edge of the reserve, horseback riding along the beach, and abundant bird watching opportunities and nature walks. Nearby Playa Cuevas, a small protected white sand cove, also offers an excellent opportunity for snorkeling and sunbathing.