Activities & Attractions
Below you will find a variety of tours and adventures available near our hotel. These are just a few suggestions for you to consider – once you arrive our staff will be more than happy to help coordinate your plans.
Surfing
This area has some of the best and least crowded surfing in Costa Rica. Bring your own board or rent one for approximately $10-$12/day at one of the many surf shops in town.
Surfing lessons from an experienced instructor are available for all levels.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
There are many large tide pools where you can enjoy snorkeling during low tide. The tide pools are terrific for beginners or if you just enjoy being in shallower waters. You can see many varieties of colorful fish, sea turtles and sea creatures. Our waters are often very clear; we recommend snorkeling at least once during your stay.
If you are interested, we have several qualified companies to recommend for SCUBA DIVING. They are not located in Malpaís, and will require a 30 minute drive to their facilities. We are happy to provide details and arrange transportation upon request.
ATV Tours
We highly recommend renting an all terrain vehicle (ATV) or “quad” during your visit. It is a fun way to explore the many beaches in the area, and the preferred method of transportation of the locals. Guided ATV tours to Montezuma are available.
Horseback Riding
A great way to see the area! We are happy to schedule a jungle or beach horseback tour. We specially recommend the sunset horseback ride tour.
Biking Tours
Rent a mountain bike or “old school” beach cruiser to explore! Guided tours through dirt roads, old river beds and beaches are available.
Fishing
A local guide can take you to some of the best fishing spots the area has to offer. Most boats depart from the charming local fish market.
Golf
The nearby town of Tambor offers two golf courses, one located at Los Delfines and one at Tangomar.
Malpais Canopy Tours
Journey through the treetops in this spectacular canopy tour located just minutes down the road from the hotel on a farm with more than 200 different tree species, at the entrance of the Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve.
Montezuma Waterfalls
Montezuma Falls, the most popular of several waterfalls in the area, is actually three separate waterfalls in one. To get to the first and highest of the falls, at about 80 feet high, start at the ocean near Hotel Amor de Mar, and walk up the river for 10-20 minutes. This falls is a great spot for lounging, swimming or relaxing and enjoying the cascading water, but it is unsafe to jump from the top of this falls—people have died trying to do so. Continue up the trail and then down a steep trail with a rope to help you descend to an area between the second and third waterfalls. You can jump from 40 feet up into the second waterfall, or continue climbing the trail and then jump from 8-15 feet into the third waterfall, which also has a rope swing. The third waterfall offers the best place for swimming, with a 10 foot waterfall and a calm pool below. This waterfall also has good areas for relaxing, picnicking or sunbathing.
Montezuma Canopy Tours
Travel down the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula to Montezuma for a canopy tour featuring a series of nine cable lines and eleven platforms spanning over 1200 meters. Guides take visitors through the tour that covers three cascading waterfalls, lush forests, and hosts of flora and fauna.
Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve
The Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve is one of Costa Rica’s most stunning treasures and the first National Park that was established in Costa Rica. The Reserve has a number of trails that wind through the park with varying levels of incline and difficulty. A majestic place for hiking, bird watching and wildlife appreciation.
Check out the Cabo Blanco website for more information.
Curu Wildlife Refuge
A unique gem of Costa Rica's national park system, Curú is actually a privately-owned farm that experiments in sustainable agriculture. Until 1974, the farm and enclosed hacienda were settled by squatters; eventually it achieved "protected forest" status as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1983. Most of the 12 sq. km remain dedicated to primary and secondary forest, although a good portion of it (approx. 20%) has been set aside for progressive agriculture and raising cattle.
Seventeen diverse trails, ranging from very easy to difficult, give the public access to 232 species of birds (including hawks, motmots, and woodpeckers), as well as spider monkeys, scarlet macaws, and white-nosed coatis. But the park's most spectacular features are its fascinating mangrove wildlife and pristine, forest-lined beaches. Be sure to bring your bathing suit and towel if you want to take a refreshing dip in the ocean.
Day Tour at Isla Tortuga
This is a full-day trip to this enchanting island, which is located on the widest part of the Nicoya Gulf. Tortuga Island is famous for its pristine white sand beach and turquoise waters, it is about an hour away from Malpaís. Visitors can enjoy snorkeling, beach combing, lunch, and exploration of the island.