Montezuma

Montezuma is located in the Peninsula of Nicoya in the Pacific Ocean. Montezuma is part of the Puntarenas province but far from the usual famous beaches. Montezuma is unique due to its large quantity of waterfalls and natural pools and genuinely pristine beaches. Furthermore, Montezuma is near two equally beautiful and amazing beaches, such as Mal Pais and Santa Teresa, making it strategically placed to discover other beaches. The entrance to Montezuma is just as mesmerizing as the beach itself. Arriving, you will go through lush green jungle and small streams. Upon arrival, you will see the town center full of boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants, perfect for a stroll and a bite to eat. 

The beach itself is golden sand and a blue ocean. In certain areas, rock formations make small pools to swim in and discover little fishes. This beach is not your typical beach as there are few tourists, and crowds are hard to come by. A quiet place to enjoy a book while getting a perfect tan, but don't forget your sunscreen! 

Montezuma was discovered by travelers back in the 1960s and 70s and has been a hippie center ever since. It has well-known healing art and yoga community and attracts artists from all over the world. The general vibe of Montezuma is relaxation, yoga, and wellness. Besides yoga, other activities include hiking, fishing, and waterfall jumping. 

The waterfalls in Montezuma are well known in the area for their beauty and size. The waterfalls vary in size, from small ones with little pools to large waterfalls with a height of 60 ft. Although some precautions must ensure safety, the giant waterfall can be jumped off and into the natural pool. To access the waterfall, you must first take a 20-minute hike to arrive, and it is a short distance from the town center. 

This quaint and bohemian beach town has it all for those looking to be in nature and relax. Montezuma is still widely undiscovered and unknown by most and is ideal for those looking for an unconventional and uncrowded trip. A quiet place for contemplation and discovering nature, and recharging your batteries. 

Montezuma is lovely and has its perks at any year stage. Costa Rica has two main seasons: the rainy and dry seasons. The best perk of the rainy season is the drop in prices for both lodging and restaurants. As this is considered low season, many places will drop their prices as it is the time of year when fewer tourists arrive. On the other hand, the dry season is prime beach weather, the sun shines all day, and the stars are out all night. Therefore, during the dry season, which is considered summer in Costa Rica, there will be a surge in prices and tourists.

The weather in Montezuma oscillates between the high 80s and low 90s most of the year, with a pleasant ocean breeze. The dry season which runs from December to May is the hottest and sunniest time of the year; meanwhile, the rainy season (June to November) is generally more humid and a bit cloudier in the afternoons. Both dry and rainy seasons have pros and cons, as the rainy season might be less sunny, but the vegetation will be as green as possible. The dry season is brighter, but foliage begins to dry up. The warm weather is always perfect for a dip in the ocean. 

Montezuma is a remote community where minor crime happens. Like everywhere else in Costa Rica, we'd recommend keeping valuables locked up in your hotel, and leaving valuables on the beach while swimming can be a risk. The ocean can be dangerous in certain spots due to rip currents; there are lifeguards at specific points that keep a lookout. Sometimes you might see flags on the beach, which signify dangerous places or areas where there are rocks.

Montezuma is home to many great restaurants. There are cuisines from around the world and restaurants that respect all kinds of dietary restrictions. In addition, you and the family can find beachfront restaurants, restaurants with pools, and ocean views everywhere. 

Playa de Los Artistas: Have a romantic dinner at Playa de Los Artistas (or “Artist’s Beach” in English) for seafood and a beachfront experience.

Tierra y Fuego: It is a great place to have an authentic oven pizza and other Italian dishes.

Puggos: Head out for some sushi or ramen at Puggos, a highly recommended restaurant that many locals like to eat out at. 

Ylang Ylang: This upscale restaurant is the perfect place to have beachfront seafood and sushi in a gorgeously decorated setting. 

Sano Banano: Looking for authentic Costa Rican cuisine? This is the spot! With a gorgeous outside garden setting, this place is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner with a beautiful outdoor garden setting.

Montezuma is very secluded and distant from International airports, but no worries! The drive is a scenic one with some fun stops along the way. To get to Montezuma from San Jose by car, you must first drive to the port of Puntarenas, where you will need to catch the ferry (which leaves every couple of hours) and then go about an hour and a half to the final destination. Montezuma is much easier to reach by national charter planes; leaving from San Jose, you can travel with a wide range of times and companies. Once on your charter flight from San Jose to Tambor (the closest local airport to Montezuma), you will be in the air for about 45 minutes; once you land, you must drive or take a shuttle for about an hour and a half till you reach Montezuma. Montezuma can also be reached from other parts of the country via charter plane and car, depending on your location.