Playa Montezuma, Costa Rica
Located on the southeastern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica, Montezuma is well known as a beach destination for intrepid travelers and eco-tourists. Since the 1980s this charming village has been gradually transformed into an enclave for those who seek alternative lifestyles, with a growing number of artists, musicians and ex-hippies among its permanent residents. The local culture that has evolved out of a melting pot of Costa Ricans, Europeans and Americans is palpable with open-mindedness and friendliness. While the colorful streets are vivid with backpackers and surfers from all overt the world, the atmosphere is distinctly mellow.
The center of Montezuma consists almost entirely of budget hotels and restaurants and souvenir shops. Given the compactness of the village, everything is invariably within a short walk away. The nearest town, Cobano, is about 8 km north of Montezuma, where services such as banks and post office can be found.
Beaches, islands, rivers and scenic waterfalls surround Montezuma village. Enjoy long walks on miles of beautiful beaches; hike to the waterfalls deep in the jungles; roam the farmers market to find organic produce and handicrafts; take a snorkeling tour to Tortuga Island or zipline through the jungle on a canopy tour; rent a sea kayak or a bicycle and explore; volunteer at the new Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary or sign up for Spanish classes.
The beaches along the Montezuma coast are great for surfing; Playa Grande for instance is just 30 minutes north of Montezuma. Costa Rica's first national park, Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, is 9 km south. Other recreational pursuits include scuba diving, fishing, horseback riding and yoga. For those who chance to visit in November, there is an annual film festival with film screenings and street parties.
Paquera is the landing point on the Nicoya Peninsula for those traveling from the main land across the Gulf of Nicoya by ferry. The ferry terminal at Puntarenas is about 2 hours’ drive from San Jose. The ferries run on regular schedule throughout the day and carry both cars and passengers. From Paquera, the distance to Montezuma is about 40 km to the southwest. In the rainy season, from May to November, roads between Montezuma and Paquera require 4x4 vehicles to navigate through. Visitors can opt to fly from San Jose to Tambor and take a 30 minute taxi from Tambor to Montezuma. There are also speedboat water taxis crisscrossing frequently between Montezuma and Jaco Beach on the central Pacific coast.