Montezuma is a remote old fishing village located on the Southern Nicoya Peninsula. The village has gained in popularity over the last few years with backpackers and tourists on an extreme budget. People are drawn to Montezuma for its laid-back culture, hippie flair, and stunning natural beauty. With plenty of open-air eateries, scenic beachside bars, sidewalk artists, and organic farmer's markets - Montezuma has a cozy communal environment feel.
Things to Do In and Around Montezuma, Costa Rica
- Tour the beaches that surround Montezuma: Stroll along the beach north of Montezuma to Playa Grande, a 3km long sandy beach that is better for swimming than the beaches directly south of Montezuma. Use caution in the water south of Montezuma due to a strong surf and dangerous riptide.
- Hike the Waterfalls of Montezuma: A sign post just past the Hotel La Cascada on the road to Cabo Blanco leads to a trail to three scenic waterfalls. The first waterfall has a good swimming hole but is shallow and rocky so diving should not be attempted. Continue hiking up the trail to a second and third set of falls. The trail continues along the river and up into the forest canopy.
- Tour the Cabo Blanco Nature Preserve: Located just 9km south of Montezuma, Cabo Blanco was the first national park to be dedicated in Costa Rica. Hike through the incredible tropical forest, see howler monkeys and tropical birds, and take a dip in the ocean at the pristine beach at the end of the trail.
- At night, visit Chico's Bar right in the center of Montezuma: This open air bar offers live music from reggae to salsa and a large dance floor where the locals, tourists, and village children mix. The bar is so close to the Ocean that the back bar is nearly flooded at high tide. Barstools line the rocks that dot the seaside.
- Catch an English Film at El Sano Banano: This vegetarian friendly restaurant just up the road heading west from Chico's - offers nightly movies with a minimum food purchase. All enjoy an excellent coffee and breakfast while planning the day's adventures on El Sano Banano's front patio.
Hotels in Montezuma, Costa Rica
Hotels in Montezuma offer rooms for all budgets but tend to cater to the budget-oriented crowd. Many inexpensive rooms are found right in the center of Montezuma. It is usually easy to find a room without a reservation unless traveling on the weekend during the high season (December - March). If you are looking for a bit of solitude, try one of the hotels north of Montezuma on the road to Cabo Blanco. These hotels tend to be quieter, more scenic, and have direct beach access. If staying near party-all-night Chico's know that you will not be heading to bed early.
Eating in Montezuma, Costa Rica
Montezuma has many eating options. A grocery store right next to Chico's is open daily and offers fresh fruits and breads that are great to pack for a day at the beach or visit the weekend farmer's market for local flavor. For cheap eats try the Soda Las Gemelas or Restaurant El Parque for heaping casados (a typical Costa Rican meal consisting of rice, beans, plantains, salad, tortillas, and a meat, fish, or veggies). The Bakery is also an excellent option for the budget traveler and has a great outdoor patio frequented by the resident howler monkeys. The Bakery has the best breakfast in town and features vegetarian cuisine and killer baked goods.
For information on getting to Montezuma, see Costa Rica's Southern Nicoya Peninsula.
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