Hey there, friends!
It’s been a while since our last update, and wow—what a journey we’ve been on! Adam and I have been soaking up life on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, one of Costa Rica’s most enchanting regions. We set up base in a cozy little Airbnb villa in Mal País, just a stone’s throw from the buzzing town of Santa Teresa.
Our adventure began with a long, winding drive from La Fortuna down the peninsula. If you’re into off-roading, you’ll feel right at home on the eastern side of Nicoya. The 4×4 culture is real here, with souped-up dirt bikes and mud-covered trucks tearing through the backroads. After what felt like an endless stretch of bumpy, winding roads, we finally rolled into Santa Teresa, only to be greeted by its infamous unpaved main road. Despite all the glitz and glamour of new luxury shops and restaurants from an increase of celebrities and wealthy folks rolling in (Welcome, Tom Brady and Mel Gibson), the town still has a rugged charm that keeps it grounded.
We spent our days sampling the local food scene, which has exploded since our last visit seven years ago. Even in low season, when many spots were closed, we feasted on incredible sourdough pizza topped with prosciutto, flavorful Indian curries, mouthwatering tacos, and some of the best pastries we’ve had in Costa Rica. One night at Muzza Sourdough Pizza, we were caught in an aguacero (a torrential downpour). The rain was so loud it drowned out our conversation, but it was one of those moments that turns into a core memory—eating wood-fired pizza by candlelight in a flooded restaurant, laughing at the absurdity of it all.
With the focus in Santa Teresa mostly on food and beach life, we decided to venture further out. We made our way to Montezuma, a quirky little bohemian town known for its surf spots, stunning waterfall, and local artisan shops. From there, we continued south to the tiny village of Cabuya—a sleepy little place with some beautiful hidden gems. This video shows the crazy road we took to get there- listen for the howler monkey at the beginning!
Cabuya is home to something truly unique: Cabuya Island, a tiny cemetery island you can only walk to at low tide. The entire island is dotted with agave plants and gravestones, giving it an eerie, mystical vibe. It’s said to be haunted, and locals swear you can hear voices if you visit at night. Naturally, we had to film an episode of Peligro Life here! We planned to snorkel off the northeast side, known for its clear waters, but a big storm the night before left the visibility at zero. Even though the snorkeling didn’t pan out, the island’s atmosphere was well worth the trip.
Another highlight was our hike through Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, a pristine jungle that ends at a secluded beach. Let me tell you, it was the hottest and most humid hike I’ve ever done! I took every chance to cool off in the streams we crossed, only to find little freshwater cleaner shrimp pinching my toes. Along the trail, we spotted bright blue morpho butterflies (impossible to photograph!), a playful coati (check out our YouTube short!), white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, and even a deer. The hike was intense, but the incredible wildlife made every step worth it. Just don’t expect a relaxing swim at the end—the waves at the beach were massive and wild!
On our last weekend in Mal País, we took a bumpy drive north to Playa Manzanillo. This long, quiet beach was nearly deserted, the perfect escape from the crowds. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love snorkeling, so I grabbed my mask and dove into the tide pools. While I didn’t see much underwater, the real excitement came when I spotted a large eagle ray swimming right in the shallows. We spent the rest of the afternoon racing hermit crabs along the shore—a simple but hilarious way to wrap up our stay.
We then took a ferry across the bay to Puntarenas to head to the airport. Now, we’ve taken a little detour back to the States for some quality family time in Adam’s home state of Arizona. We’re soaking up an early Thanksgiving with loved ones before heading back to our Costa Rican home.
Stay tuned for more Peligro Life adventures! We can’t wait to share what’s next.
Until then, pura vida! 🌴🍕
-Daphne
PELIGRO LIFE 