Montezuma in Costa Rica is an absolute paradise for nature lovers and hikers.
If you're a lover of hiking and nature, Montezuma on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica is the perfect destination for you. This area offers scenic hikes that lead to stunning waterfalls and beaches. The conservation efforts in Montezuma have kept its natural beauty intact, so you can immerse yourself in the tropical mixed jungle and experience its unparalleled beauty. Getting to Montezuma is easy, with the Paquera ferry dock just a 40-minute drive away and the Tambor domestic airport just 20 minutes away. Many accommodation options suit all budgets and preferences, but we highly recommend Hotel nYa for sustainable living and stylish comfort. Located in the heart of the jungle and near downtown, it's an excellent base for exploring all that Montezuma has to offer.
Here are some of our favorite hikes:
The Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve is a must-visit for hiking enthusiasts. This medium to high-difficulty trail takes around 4 hours to complete and is located 7 kilometers from your hotel. Bring hiking shoes, snacks, water, a hat, sunblock, a bathing suit, and a towel. Cabo Blanco is the first protected area in the country. The trail takes approximately 2 hours to reach the beach and another 2 hours to return, passing through a jungle with endangered native trees and wildlife like monkeys, coaties, agouties, iguanas, snakes, and birds. The hike is moderately challenging, with mostly gravel paths and several steep hills leading to a stunning white sand beach for a refreshing dip. Please note that there are no bathroom facilities in this area of the park.
Cataratas de Montezuma is a medium to high-difficulty hike that takes around 2 hours to complete. The entrance to the trail is located 0.7 miles from your hotel, and you'll need to bring hiking shoes, snacks, water, a hat, sunblock, a bathing suit, and a towel. Montezuma Waterfalls is responsible for attracting tourists to the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula and remains one of the most visited tourist destinations today. The Montezuma River is a gorgeous river with multiple ponds of all sizes and waterfalls on your hike up. The last three are the most significant and most impressive. The hike can be tricky as you have to cross the river several times, walk on slippery rocks, and climb on ropes to get to the last waterfall. This area has no facilities, making it unique as you get deep in nature here in Montezuma.
Isla de Cabuya is a low-difficulty hike only available during low tide that takes around 1 hour to complete. The entrance is located 7 kilometers from the NYA hotel, and you'll need to bring hiking shoes, snacks, water, a hat, sunblock, a bathing suit, and a towel. This little island off the coast in the fisherman village of Cabuya houses seabirds that have their nest here and offers breathtaking views of the coastline from Tambor to Cabo Blanco. You'll also get the opportunity to enjoy the traditional living of the artisanal fishermen of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
Playa Grande, Montezuma, is a medium-difficulty hike that takes around 40 minutes and is only available during low tide. The entrance is right out of Hotel nYa, and you'll need to bring hiking shoes, snacks, water, a hat, sunblock, a bathing suit, and a towel. This hike is fantastic at any time, but at sunrise, it is breathtaking, filling the skies with colors against the volcanic rock formations near the shore. On this hike, you'll cross five different beaches that range in size and type of sand, each with its particular beauty. The walk is not suitable for swimming in the sea, but there are beautiful rock formations and shells to enjoy. Playa Grande is almost one kilometer long, with firm and thin gray sand, perfect for running, playing, or relaxing. This beach is also famous for those who wish to learn how to surf, as its waves are perfect for beginners. Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Romelia runs a sea turtle conservation project from June to December, and thousands of baby turtles are released each season. Please be mindful of not building structures or digging holes, as this will affect the nesting turtles. You can make a difference by filling a bag of trash provided by the Romelia Team.
We hope to see you soon here at the Nya Hotel in the blue zone of Costa Rica; hiking is undoubtedly one of the number one activities to promote a healthy lifestyle and pursue healthy longevity.
