Montezuma, Costa Rica, positioned on the southeastern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, is a lovely place to go. Many travellers take pleasure in it as a result of it has a surprising waterfall and smooth, crushed shell seashores.
The seashore city was as soon as a small fishing village, however now it attracts all varieties of travellers. It’s an off-the-beaten-path vacation spot with a bohemian artsy vibe standard with surfers and yogis alike. So, if you’re in search of a little bit of R&R whereas being near nature, this seashore city simply could be the place for you!
It’s additionally a city you possibly can be ok with visiting. The ADIM–Asociacion de Desarrollo Integral de Montezuma–is devoted to encouraging and facilitating sustainable tourism economically, ecologically, and socio-culturally. The ADIM was based in 2018, and so they have a variety of admirable tasks, together with rehabilitating uncared for areas into thriving public areas and aquatic rescue and CPR lessons. They even grade native companies primarily based on how eco-friendly their practices are.
City map of Montezuma, Costa Rica
Greatest Time to Go to Montezuma
The climate in Montezuma Costa Rica tends to remain heat year-round, though you want to take into account whether or not you need to go to through the wet or dry season.
December via April marks the dry season, which is when guests are inclined to flock to hotter climates, so costs shall be greater and the world tends to be extra crowded.
The wet – or inexperienced – season spans from Might via November, and the panorama tends to be lush throughout these months. You’ll want to try our weblog submit on the greatest time to go to Costa Rica for more information on the climate in Costa Rica at any time of the 12 months.
Easy methods to Get to Montezuma, Costa Rica
A bus runs from San Jose to Montezuma twice a day, departing at 6 a.m. and a couple of p.m. The experience from San Jose takes 5.5 hours and prices $15.50 USD. Driving (or taking the bus) from the San Jose space permits you to take the ferry throughout to avoid wasting time.
Montezuma can be reachable by taxi boat leaving from Jaco. It’s attainable to see rays and dolphins from the boat, and the ticket is roughly $50 USD.
Another choice is to hire a automotive in San Jose and drive to Montezuma your self. Having a rental automotive means you’ll even have the comfort of getting a automotive available. Our suggestion is to make use of Vamos Lease-A-Automotive. They’re dependable and fairly priced, and certainly one of their places of work may be very near San Jose Worldwide Airport.
High Issues to Do in Montezuma, Costa Rica
Stroll to the Montezuma Waterfalls
The Montezuma waterfalls are made up of three separate falls – the higher, center, and decrease – and are simply reachable through a 1km (0.6 miles) hike from the centre of city. Whether or not you spend a whole day or only a few hours on the Montezuma waterfalls, you’ll respect the fantastic thing about these pure wonders.
When you’ve got kids, head to the higher falls that are smaller and simpler to view along with your little ones. The falls within the center provide a glimpse into the pure fantastic thing about the world. The most important falls on the decrease portion are 25 meters (82 toes) excessive. They’re the preferred.
Calm down on Playa Montezuma (Montezuma Seashore)
While you’re in Montezuma, Costa Rica seashore life has breathtaking turquoise water. With its crushed shell sand, Playa Montezuma is a perfect seashore to calm down with out getting sand in your face and in your towel.
Seashore at Montezuma, Costa Rica
Go to one of many lovely seashores
In case you are up for an journey, there’s a path to the northeast winds round Playa Grande, which is a seashore that’s used for browsing. The stroll takes half-hour, and the world is surrounded by jungle, so you might need to be looking out for native wildlife. You’ll want to take snacks and a drink in the event you select to stroll the path. That is additionally the place Romelia Wildlife Refuge is positioned (as you will notice in our wildlife part beneath).
Playa Los Cedros is south of Montezuma in direction of the southern facet of the Nicoya Peninsula, and only a ten-minute drive. Relying on while you’re there, it might look pretty rocky, or it might look good and untouched. Browsing is usually a bit hit and miss, however it’s a stunning seashore for a stroll or to calm down. It’s a really putting seashore, and it makes for the right setting for a household picnic.
About one kilometre exterior of Montezuma, you’ll get to Playa Las Manchas. It’s a lovely white stone seashore with putting, black volcanic rocks and clear water. For a lot of locals, it’s their favourite seashore, and it’s an ideal place for snorkeling. Nevertheless, in the event you aren’t a robust swimmer, then watch out. The currents might be robust, and it’s not unusual for a whirlpool to type.
Playa Grande (the Massive Seashore), Costa Rica
Take a Montezuma Yoga Class
Overlook the ocean as you stretch your physique and calm down your thoughts with a yoga class. Situated at Los Mangos Lodge, Montezuma Yoga hosts each day lessons, together with a candlelight session on Sunday nights. Additionally they provide college students with mats and props, so there isn’t a have to convey your personal.
One among our favorite choices is their donation yoga class the place the cash goes in direction of an area charity, akin to recycling, the turtle sanctuary, or faculty kids. There are alternatives to go to 1 class or buy a go to attend a number of periods throughout your keep.
Picture courtesy of
Montezuma Yoga Fb Web page
Search Journey on a Cover Tour
The Montezuma Waterfall Cover Tour (aka zip lining) is one other approach to view the Montezuma Falls. With 9 cables and 11 platforms, this exercise hosted by Suntrails, a Sustainably Licensed operator, affords beautiful views of the rainforest.
The tour finishes on the higher waterfall, which incorporates swimming within the falls, so convey your bathing go well with to finish your tour in a refreshing method.
Montezuma Waterfall from above
Surf the Peninsula
Younger Imaginative and prescient Surf is a domestically owned firm, which implies they know the very best locations to catch the waves. They provide varied surf retreats – akin to household, female-only, and a surf/yoga mixture – or a chance to spend per week browsing seashores in Montezuma, Cabuya, and Santa Teresa.
If you happen to want to commit much less, they provide each day surf classes at Playa Grande. Teams meet downtown and are taken to the seashore by guided hike, admiring native vegetation and animals alongside the way in which.
Be taught About Native Wildlife
Romelia Wildlife Refuge is straight behind Playa Grande. Though it’s personal property (and must be revered), it’s simply noticed from the seashore. They even have alternatives to volunteer from August via January when sea turtles are laying and hatching their eggs.
To not be missed, Curu Wildlife Refuge is a 40-minute drive from Montezuma Costa Rica and is a deal with for animal lovers. The realm is crammed with panorama variety with its seashores, forests, mangroves, and marine habitats, and the animals are extra diversified with common sightings of white-tailed deer, monkeys, coatis, and a whole bunch of species of birds.
Hours are from 7 a.m to three p.m, and guided excursions and cabins for in a single day stays are additionally out there.
Trek to El Chorro Waterfall
In case you are up for a hike, the El Chorro Waterfall is on the far finish of Playa Cocolito , which is a two-hour hike from Montezuma. It’s best to try to go away earlier within the day to keep away from the warmth and be sure you take snacks and water. Heading to El Chorro takes a little bit of an effort, however the secluded seashore and blue waters are effectively value it.
El Chorro Waterfall. Picture courtesy of
Miguel Ángel García. through Flickr CC
Go to Tortuga Island
It’s going to take a ship experience to get there. However, this island off the shore of the Nicoya Peninsula is a lovely website for day journeys and household adventures. If you happen to hike to the summit of the island, there’s a zipper line, or you possibly can simply respect the wildlife you’ll see on the trek.
The seashore is picturesque, with palm bushes and clear waters, and in the event you resolve to go snorkelling, you would possibly see manta rays, dolphins, octopuses, and even sharks. Simply off the shore, there are additionally three shipwrecks you possibly can dive into. Zuma Excursions affords a handful of Tortuga Island excursions, together with snorkelling.
Tortuga Island is gorgeous at any time of 12 months, however for the very best expertise, go through the dry season. Don’t simply restrict your self to the seashore!
Greatest Motels in Montezuma, Costa Rica
Amor de Mar: Billed as a “small lodge in paradise,” Amor de Mar has the mission of respecting the world’s ecosystem whereas benefiting the local people. They preserve water by utilizing water-saving sizzling water heaters and low-flow bathrooms. The lodge’s decor additionally makes use of the work of many artisans, and their outreaches embrace supporting native colleges and recycling centres. Conventional rooms and villas can be found for brief or lengthy stays in Montezuma, Costa Rica.
On-site, there’s a restaurant, breakfast is supplied within the visitor rooms, and the employees are completely satisfied to accommodate particular diets. There are a variety of wellness choices, together with yoga lessons and a spa, and a lot of the rooms have a patio or a balcony with a surprising view of the water. The seashore is only a ten-minute stroll away.
Lodge El Jardin: Conveniently positioned within the coronary heart of the city and only a brief stroll to the seashore and Montezuma Waterfalls, Lodge El Jardin additionally affords experiences in both of their two bungalows or 14 air-conditioned rooms. The property itself is surrounded by lovely tropical gardens, that are regularly visited by birds, monkeys, iguanas, and different native animals. Boasting a two-level pool and views of each the ocean and the city of Montezuma, the lodge is a superb mid-range lodging choice near eating places and retailers.
They’re additionally striving for sustainability. They keep away from single-use plastics, water isn’t wasted needlessly, and recycling is practised by the employees and inspired for the visitors. Many of the meals is domestically sourced and it isn’t wasted, and a lot of the lighting is energy-efficient.
Sunshine Sanctuary: Comfy and located in Montezuma, Sunshine Sanctuary is an enthralling boutique lodge. It’s a small lodge with solely six rooms, so it has a non-public, luxurious really feel to it. That is solely enhanced by every room having a non-public entrance. It’s a straightforward ten-minute stroll from the waterfalls, with a non-public path.
On-site, breakfast is offered every morning, and there’s a sizzling tub, a pool and a espresso home. Additionally, every room may be very effectively geared up with a kitchen. There are a number of terraces and patios to sit down in and revel in a lovely day, native artists are welcome to show their work, and yoga lessons are hosted on-site. They’re additionally making efforts in direction of sustainability as they keep away from losing water or utilizing plastic wherever attainable. Many of the lighting can be energy-efficient.
Picture courtesy of
Lodge Jardin
The place to Eat in Montezuma Costa Rica
Soda Tipica Las Palmeras: This family-run restaurant is true off the city centre in Montezuma, and it serves genuine Costa Rican delicacies together with smoothies made with contemporary fruit. Their specialities embrace seafood, akin to king prawns and Mahi Mahi, ready in quite a lot of methods. You might even have views of curious, native monkeys as you dine. Additionally they provide gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan choices
Soda La Naranja: Whether or not you like ceviche or are a strict vegetarian, Soda La Naranja is aware of how you can mix flavours in a method that really pleases the palate. The restaurant is family-run, and the meals is rigorously ready, which lets you calm down and benefit from the environment.
Puggo’s: The proprietor of Puggo’s settled in Costa Rica after travelling the world brings the flavours of her experiences to the patrons of her restaurant. The restaurant makes use of contemporary, domestically sourced elements, together with freshly caught fish.
Spices from the proprietor’s residence nation of Israel are sometimes included into recipes. Additionally, the menu additionally affords a number of vegetarian choices.
La Vida Dulce: If pastries and desserts are what you’re craving, then a cease at La Vida Dulce is a deal with. They provide pecan caramel sticky buns and blueberry bitter cream espresso cake. It’s no marvel that this can be a favorite with locals and guests alike.
There are additionally vegan choices akin to chocolate chip banana bread. Prix fixe dinners occur every Friday evening. So, be sure you make reservations forward of time as we’ve discovered that they promote out shortly!
Ylang Ylang Restaurant & Bar: Situated at its namesake, Ylang Ylang Restaurant & Bar prides itself on impeccable service. The restaurant additionally makes use of domestically sourced elements and affords vegan and gluten-free choices on the menu.
If you happen to keep on the resort, your breakfast and dinner are included in your keep, which is a superb perk!
Ubin by Keilor Sanchez: This restaurant thrives on utilizing native elements in its dishes. Not solely is the meals introduced superbly, however it is usually flavourful whereas pairing distinctive combos. The décor and environment match the standard of the meals all to create a memorable Costa Rican expertise.
How A lot Time Do You Want in Montezuma, Costa Rica?
Visiting the city Montezuma seashore and the falls might be performed in a day, however if you wish to get a real style of the world and its actions, it’s greatest to remain two to a few days. Montezuma appears to be a kind of stops the place travellers are inclined to linger because of the laid-back nature and fantastic thing about the world. So if you’re craving a break out of your itinerary, we expect this can be a good spot to take action!
Montezuma has lots to supply with its oceanside bungalows, contemporary flavours, and Playa Montezuma. Whether or not you select to make a day of it or fill per week with yoga, browsing, and wildlife viewing, we expect it is a perfect place to remain in Costa Rica.
