Playa Carmen, Costa Rica

Posted by on November 20, 2011

Playa Carmen is the center of the Santa Teresa / Malpais area of Costa Rica.

When you first drive down the hill from Cobano and the farms and jungles above, you have arrived at Playa Carmen. To the left is Malpais, and to the right is Playa Carmen, and then beyond that farther to the north is Santa Teresa and then Playa Hermosa.

Playa Carmen has the best and most consistent surf spot in the whole area. To find it, just keep driving straight when you first drop down from Cobano, and you’ll find the parking area with great waves right in front of you and a beachfront restaurant/pizzeria also.

The largest amount of development is in Playa Carmen. It has the most restaurants, the most hotels, and the most shops of all kinds, including

  • Two banks (BNCR and BCR) with two ATMs.
  • One of the best bakeries in Costa Rica.
  • The best ice cream in Costa Rica (fresh made Italian Gelatto)
  • Tons of gift shops
  • Several surf shops, board repairs, and board rentals
  • Sushi (Umi Sushi)
  • Pharmacy
  • Medical Clinic / EMT

    • All of this is right there in the middle of town and everyone needs to go there once in a while.

    Playa Carmen, Costa Rica

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