Where are we located?
Mal Pais (9.6084° N, 85.1350° W) is a town in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica which began as a fishing and cattle-farming village and has become popular among surfers and travelers around the world. It’s known for its incredible beauty, with white sand coves, rocky outcroppings, steep jungle covered hills and forests teeming with animals, birds, and insects.
Bus
The bus departs daily from San José to Cobano at 6 AM. You can easily reach the bus terminal, known as “7-10,” by taking a taxi or an Uber from the airport. Alternatively, there’s a convenient bus stop nearby called “Puente de Villa Bonita” where you can also catch the bus. The service is operated by Transportes Cobano, which provides updated schedules on their Facebook page.
Once you arrive in Cobano, you can board another bus and get off at the “El Cruce” stop. From there, a taxi will take you directly to Pachamama.
The approximate fare for the bus is USD 15 per person, and the journey takes about 6 hours, including a picturesque 1.5-hour ferry ride that enhances the overall experience.
Private Shuttle Bus
The shuttle follows the same schedule as the bus, and the trip is quite similar. However, you have the option to be picked up directly from the airport or your hotel in San José. The shuttle is equipped with air conditioning and will drop you off right at our front door. Please note that it must be booked in advance, and we will handle that for you.
Approximate price: USD 57 per person. Duration: 5.5 hours (including a 1.5-hour ferry ride).
By Flight
Sansa Air and Green Air operate this route. Please check online for prices and additional information.
The journey is quite quick this way: just 25 minutes on the plane, followed by a 45-minute taxi ride from Cobano Airport to Mal Pais. The taxi fare is an additional USD 60 for up to 3 or 4 passengers. We recommend booking the taxi in advance, as Cobano Airport is not a traditional airport but rather a small airstrip next to the main road. If you choose this option, please let us know so we can arrange for our taxi driver to pick you up.
By Car
Rent a car with our preferred partner, Alamo. Simply sign up at Juan Santamaria Airport, then head to Puntarenas to take the ferry to Paquera. Once you disembark in Paquera, stay on the main road towards Tambor (Tambor Airport), Cobano, and Mal Pais. The route is well-marked with signs, so you won’t get lost.
Upon arriving in Cobano, continue straight through the main intersection (with Banco Nacional on your left). Keep going straight; you will cross a small bridge. After approximately 25 minutes of driving, you will descend a long hill. Soon, you will come to another intersection with a sign indicating "Mal Pais" to the left and "Santa Teresa" to the right. Turn left towards Mal Pais.
After 1 km, you will find a large wooden gate on the left side of the road with our sign, "Pachamama Hotel." Please slide the gate to the right and enter. We will be waiting for you.
Staying in San José
If you arrive in San Jose late, it is recommended to spend the night there and complete your journey in the morning, or you may choose to rent a car with drop-off in Santa Teresa (both Alamo and Budget have offices available). Before making any plans, be sure to check the ferry schedules online at Naviera Tambor, as you will need to travel from Puntarenas to Paquera.
Take advantage of this incredible opportunity at Adventure Inn!
Special rates for Pachamama guests.
