What’s the best hidden beach in the area?

At Lo de Marcos, south of One&Only Mandarina along the coast, there is a beach called ‘La Higuerita’ where you can soak up an atmosphere of virgin nature. This beautiful beach does not appear on the map. To get there you have to start the trek from Playa Los Venados toward the south, as if you were going to San Pancho via the coast. There are also a couple of piletas (rock pools) in the jungle, full of natural freshwater. Long vines or cuamecates (lianas) hang from the manzanilla trees above the beach (be sure to avoid the fruit of this tree), which you can swing on and drop onto the sand. It’s about a kilometre and a half’s walk along a rocky beach to get here, but you can enjoy a day of adventure in this secluded ecosystem.

Any secret trails you love?

In Lo de Marcos, en route to the smaller Las Minitas Beach south of the town’s main beach, there are some trails towards the mountains with almost nobody on them. You can enjoy a very special, exclusive walk in the middle of the jungle.

Is there a back-to-nature experience that’s unique to the region?

Near the village of Las Lomas, on the way to the local beach, there is an orchidarium with many incredible local species which can be explored through a guided tour. Lo de Perla Jungle Garden is a unique experience in the region (lodeperla.org).

What about special cultural destinations?

In Lo de Marcos there is an artist named Jauregui who creates the best paintings in the area. He paints small stones sourced from the sea with beautiful landscapes and also does huge murals using brushes. You can find him on Facebook as "Trixy Jauregui".

About Pedro: Pedro grew up in the local town of Lo de Marcos. An Experience Ambassador for Mandarina Experiences, he relishes sharing the natural wonders the resort and region have to offer with guests.

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