A small eclectic village in the Central Pacific popular with cost-conscious travelers. Artists selling their creations, open air jam sessions at the organic food markets and the abundance of yoga classes all contribute to the bohemian vibe.
There is something for everyone here; beautiful beaches abound, waterfalls, horseback riding, and canopy and nearby nature reserves give visitors plenty of adventure and relaxation. In the evening, choose a beachfront restaurant or a spin on the dance floor at Chico’s bar dancing to Latin beats.
Activities:
Beaches: Playa Montezuma located close to town on the north side of the center is a favorite for both sunbathers and swimmers when the surf is calm. Surfers head to the white sands of Playa Grande. For exploring tide pools and snorkeling, Playa Las Manchas is the spot just south of the village. Note: For all beaches visitors should be careful of rip tides.
Montezuma Waterfalls: A 20-minute walk south of town hosts one of the area’s most popular attractions. The tallest waterfall is 78 feet and drops down into a large swimming hole of cool freshwater. This hike, however, is not for the novice. You must cross a river and navigate slippery rocks to reach its peak.
Yoga: Practice your vinyasas while listening to monkeys, birds and the soothing ocean waves. Try a class at Montezuma Yoga (all levels) in Hotel Las Mangos.
Reserva Natural Absoluta Cabo Blanco: Costa Rica’s first nature reserve established in 1963. Tourists were originally prohibited from entry but the eastern part is now open to the public. Monkeys, anteaters, coati and deer abound. A 3 mile walk along Sendero Sueco will reward you with the breathtaking beauty of Playa Cabo Blanco where pelicans and other seabirds swoop from the clifftops.
Isla Tortuga: Boat excursions run frequently to this popular island destination. After a 45-minute boat ride, enjoy snorkeling or swimming in the clear blue waters.
Curu Wildlife Reserve Protects five habitats including tropical deciduous and semi-deciduous forests where over 200 species of birds, white face and howler monkeys, sloths, anteaters, and agoutis dwell. Spider monkeys have been reintroduced into the area after almost being driven to extinction. Other habitats include; marine zone, mangroves.
Car: While the roads from the airport to Puntarenas are in generally good repair the roads in the Nicoya are in notoriously bad shape with large potholes and at times heavy rains. Therefore, we recommend a mid-sized to premium 4x4 SUV to explore the area. Be aware that during green season a larger/stronger vehicle is a better choice. Signage in this part of the country is rare and so a GPS system is very useful to easily find your way around. Some accommodations may only be accessible by 4x4.
How to get there:
From San José: Take the one hour-drive on the new Orotina/Caldera road to Puntarenas. Once there you will take the car ferry located on the very northwest end of town to Paquera ($24 adult, one way with car). The ferry ride across the Gulf of Nicoya is about an hour. Once back on land take the coastal road another 1 to 1 ½ to reach Montezuma. The road is paved up to Cobano, but the rest of the way to Montezuma is unpaved. Travel Time: 4 a 5 hours (incluyendo los tiempos de espera para ferry). Distance: 86 millas.
From Liberia: Drive south down Highway 21 through Santa Cruz, Jicaral, Naranjo and Paquera. Take the coastal road another 1 to 1 ½ to reach Montezuma. The road is paved up to Cobano, but the rest of the way to Montezuma is unpaved. Travel Time: 4 a 5 hours. Distance: 133 millas.