Beaches You Won’t Believe In South America
5. Malpais, Costa Rica

Malpais in western Costa Rica began in the pre-Columbian era as a modest fishing and agricultural settlement and has recently established itself as a popular tourist town. This profile boost is almost certainly due in part to a prestigious listing in Forbes Magazine as one of the world’s best beaches. So alluring is this unique destination that celebrities, including supermodel Gisele Bundchen and actress Salma Hayek, routinely flock to its stunning shores. Luckily, it does not take a fortune to enjoy this Costa Rica hideaway. Like the majority of South American hot spots, it is rather economical in nearly all respects. Nature enthusiasts will be pleased to discover the diverse plant and animal presence. The name means “bad land,” but this is definitely a misnomer, for anyone who has visited the Pacific paradise can attest that Malpais is one of loveliest areas in the nation.
