Traveling to Costa Rica? Visit the Nicoya Peninsula where you will fulfill your wildest adventures and find an abundance of beautiful beaches to relax on afterwards. The Nicoya Peninsula is home to a diverse set of flaura, fauna, and fun. Whether you are staying in Santa Teresa, Cabuya, Montezuma, or Tambor, the peninsula offers easily accessible activities for all types of travelers. We have put together a list of our top 5 activities for any new or returning visitors to enjoy.
1. SURFING
The pacific coast of Costa Rica is home to some of the best surf spots in the country. These spots are accessible all year-round to both beginning and professional surfers. Some of our favorite places to surf in the area include Playa Grande in Montezuma, Playa Los Cedros in Cabuya, and Playa Hermosa near Santa Teresa. Each beach provides a different atmosphere. Surfing is a huge part of the culture on this side of the country. Locals say there is nothing better than a good surf session to wash all your troubles away. We highly recommend booking one of Montezuma surf lessons with us while visiting the area. This is a way to truly connect with the local culture and daily life of the area. We provide experiences for all levels including; children surf class, beginner surf class, intermediate, and advanced. Our instructors are experienced and love sharing their knowledge,techniques, and surf secrets in order to provide the best service to our clients. All of Nicoya Surf’s services include surf equipment, drinks, snacks, and incredible destinations.
2. STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING (SUP)
If surfing isn’t your thing but you’re still looking to experience the ocean first hand, SUP is the way to go! Nicoya Surf also provides SUP classes and tours for various skill levels. The peninsula fosters calm water for beginners and gentle point breaks for intermediate and advanced SUPers. Stand up paddle boarding is a great way to feel the waves while soaking up breathtaking views in Montezuma and Cabuya. All lessons include SUP equipment, water, fruit, snacks, and transportation.
3. TOUR TO TORTUGA ISLAND
One of the most popular places to visit while in the Nicoya Peninsula is Tortuga Island. It is famous for its white-sand beaches and clear waters. The island is known for offshore snorkeling and scuba diving. Many local companies offer tour packages that leave directly from the Montezuma Beach and include an all-day experience with boat rides to the island, food, drinks, snorkeling, and more. Once you arrive to the island you can rent a sea kayak or a jet-ski, play beach volleyball, pet a wild pig, hike up the mountain and explore the trails, eat and drink at the oceanfront restaurant, do some souvenir shopping at the gift shop, or enjoy a nice relaxing afternoon lying on the beach.
4. HIKE THE MONTEZUMA WATERFALLS
The bohemian beach town of Montezuma is mostly recognized for its cascading, three tier waterfall. Most of the rainwater on the peninsula flows towards Montezuma which means there are several falls and swimming holes all year-round. There is a free access hiking trail to the bottom and tallest fall in the a few hundred meters outside of Montezuma center. This is an easy to intermediate skilled hike depending on water level and season. Once you arrive to the fall you can swim in the refreshing pools or continue your hike up to the top two falls. This area is great to hang out for the afternoon and cool off from the sun. It is very likely to catch a family of Howler monkeys, Capuchin monkeys, and Jurassic Park sized Iguanas. Here you will also see many locals diving from the cliffs however, we don’t recommend diving during the rainy season due to the low visibility in the water. If you are visiting Montezuma during rainy season, please be aware of flash-flooding at the waterfalls and avoid visiting them after heavy rains.
5. VISIT A NATIONAL PARK
Cabuya is home to the oldest protected area of land in Costa Rica; Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve. This park was established in 1963 and is located in one of the most scenic areas of the Nicoya Peninsula. Cabo Blanco is a sanctuary for both land and seabirds, white-tailed deers, armadillos, anteaters, coatis, racoons, howler and capuchin monkeys, coyotes, racoons, porcupines, and variety of wild cats. The park offers a 4.5 km hike through tropical forests to the gorgeous, and protected, Playa Cabo Blanco. This hike to the beach takes approximately two hours, however the park provides shorter hiking trails through the forests. Another national park to visit in the area is the Curu Wildlife Refuge located between Paquera and Tambor. This park is a privately owned farm that combined sustainable agriculture and forest management with protection of wildlife and nature. Here, there are mangrove estuaries, rivers, and a 200 meter wide beach area. Curu is known for its diverse wildlife that lives amongst the reserves five different habitat types. These habitats range from mangrove swamps, marine zones, farmland, and tropical dry and moist forests. The wildlife found in Curu is abundant and they have recently been successful in the reintroduction of Scarlet Macaws to the area. Both parks are must-sees while visiting the peninsula.
Costa Rica is filled with beautiful sights and many fun activities. This list is just a few of our favorites things the Nicoya peninsula has to offer. We hope you are able to enjoy these spectacular experiences during your stay! For additional information about the activities we have mentioned or interest in booking a surf experience, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.