OCiO Mal País: Location & How to Get Here
OCiO Mal País: Location & How to Get Here
OCiO brings together two unique places to stay in Mal País, Costa Rica. OCiO Villas sits along the coast, surrounded by surf and jungle. OCiO Estate is perched in the hills above the Pacific, wrapped in forest and panoramic views. Together, they share the relaxed character of the southern Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world’s recognised Blue Zones.
Our multilingual reservations team is ready to help with flights, transfers, ferry bookings, and extended travel plans.
Hours: Mon to Fri 8:00 am to 6:00 pm | Sat to Sun 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Costa Rica: +(506) 2103-1212
Toll-Free U.S. & Canada: 1-860-333-6199
Email: info@casachameleonhotels.com
Elevated above the Pacific in the jungle hills of Mal País, OCiO Estate offers sweeping ocean views and total seclusion. Close enough to the coast for easy access, yet private enough to feel entirely your own.
Address: From Mary’s Restaurant, 800m East, road to Cabuya, Mal País, Puntarenas
Phone: +(506) 2103-1212
GPS: N 9º 36′ 40.357″ W 85º 06′ 53.58″
Set between the surf breaks of Santa Teresa and the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, OCiO Villas is tucked into the hillside where jungle meets the Pacific. Each villa opens to ocean views, sea breezes, and the unhurried pace of coastal Mal País.
Address: From ICE towers 500m South, 500m East, Mal País, Puntarenas
Phone: +(506) 2103-1212
GPS: N 9º 36′ 47.01″ W 85º 08′ 21.10″
The two international gateways are Juan Santamaría (SJO) in San José and Daniel Oduber (LIR) in Liberia. From either airport, a short domestic connection to Tambor (TMU) or Cobano (COB) puts you within 25 to 45 minutes of Mal País by road. We can arrange a rental car, taxi, or private driver to meet you at the airstrip.
Private transfers and luggage assistance are available on request. Complete our Transfer Request Form with your flight details and we’ll take care of the rest.
For the most direct arrival, helicopter transfers can be arranged straight to OCiO Estate’s private helipad. Fly over the jungle canopy and touch down at the property itself. Contact our concierge for details.
We are happy to coordinate private transfers to and from Tambor (TMU) or San José (SJO) airports so your journey is seamless from start to finish. Fill out the Transfer Request Form with your flight details, and we will take care of the rest.
The drive takes roughly 4.5 to 5 hours, including the Puntarenas to Paquera ferry crossing (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes across the Gulf of Nicoya). From Paquera, it is about one hour to Mal País. We can pre-arrange a rental car at Paquera or a private driver for the full route. To view the ferry timetable and book space for your vehicle, visit the Nicoya Peninsula website.
Allow approximately 4 to 5 hours via the northern route. Important: do not rely on GPS alone. Follow the route town by town: Liberia > Jicaral > Playa Naranjo > Paquera > Mal País.
Mal País and Santa Teresa are roughly 45 minutes by car from Tambor Airport. A rental car, taxi, or private driver can be waiting for you on arrival.
Our team is happy to assist with every detail of your journey. Just let us know your preferences.
Situated on the southern tip of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, Mal País stretches along five kilometres of coastline between the surf town of Santa Teresa and the protected forests of Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve. Santa Teresa has grown into a lively hub of restaurants, surf shops, and cafés, while Mal País remains quieter, more secluded, and deeply connected to its natural surroundings. When you arrive at OCiO, you will notice that it sits entirely off the main road, hidden from view, a place that feels rare, unhurried, and genuinely apart from the everyday.
The best way to explore Mal País and Santa Teresa is by ATV or 4×4, both widely available on the peninsula. Alternatively, our team can arrange a rental car, taxi, or private driver so you can discover the area at your own pace.
Mal País is a tranquil coastal community that has held on to its village character even as the wider area has developed. The coastline is dramatic: dark volcanic rock, old-growth jungle descending to the water’s edge, and small pockets of beach scattered with tiny seashells. People often use “Mal País” to describe the entire beach corridor, but it actually takes in three distinct areas: Mal País, Santa Teresa, and Playa Carmen, each with its own feel, yet all sharing the same easy spirit and raw natural beauty.