Montezuma, Costa Rica, located on the southeastern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula is a beautiful place to go. Many travelers enjoy it because it has a stunning waterfall and soft, crushed shell beaches. 

The town was once a fishing village, but now it attracts all types of travelers. It is an off the beaten path destination with a bohemian artsy vibe popular with surfers and yogis alike. So, if you are looking for a bit of R&R while being close to nature, this just may be the place for you!

Best Time to Visit Montezuma

The weather in Montezuma Costa Rica tends to stay warm year-round, although you need to consider whether you want to visit during the rainy or dry season.

December through April marks the dry season, which is when visitors tend to flock to warmer climates, so prices will be higher and the area tends to be more crowded.

The rainy – or green – season spans from May through November, and the landscape tends to be lush during those months. Be sure to check out our blog post on the best time to visit Costa Rica for more info on the weather in Costa Rica any time of the year. 

How to Get to Montezuma, Costa Rica  

A bus runs from San Jose to Montezuma twice a day departing at 6 a.m and 2 p.m. The ride takes 5.5 hours and costs $15.50 USD. Driving (or taking the bus) from the San Jose area allows you to take the ferry across to save time.

Montezuma is also reachable by a taxi boat leaving from Jaco. It is possible to see rays and dolphins from the boat, and the ticket is approximately $50 USD. 

Top Things to Do in Montezuma, Costa Rica

Walk to the Montezuma Waterfall

The Montezuma falls are made up of three separate falls – the upper, middle, and lower – and are easily reachable via a 1km (0.6 miles) hike from the centre of town. Whether you spend an entire day or just a few hours at the Montezuma waterfall, you’ll appreciate the beauty of this natural wonder.  

If you have children, head to the upper falls which are smaller and easier to view with your little ones. The falls in the middle offers a glimpse into the natural beauty of the area. The largest falls at the lower portion are 25 meters (82 feet) high. They are the most popular.  

Relax on Playa Montezuma (Montezuma Beach)

While you are in Montezuma, Costa Rica beach life has breathtaking turquoise water. With its crushed shell sand, Playa Montezuma is an ideal beach to relax without getting sand in your face and on your towel. 

Walk to Playa Grande

If you are up for an adventure, there’s a trail to the northeast winds around Playa Grande, which is a beach that is used for surfing. The walk takes 30 minutes, and the area is surrounded by jungle, so you may want to be on the lookout for local wildlife, Be sure to take snacks and a drink if you choose to walk the trail. This is also where Romelia Wildlife Refuge is located (as you will see in our wildlife section below).

READ NEXT: Best Beaches in Costa Rica

Take a Montezuma Yoga Class

Overlook the ocean as you stretch your body and relax your mind with a yoga class. Located at Los Mangos Hotel, Montezuma Yoga hosts daily classes, including a candlelight session on Sunday nights. They also supply students with mats and props, so there is no need to bring your own.

One of our favourite options is their donation yoga class where the money goes towards a local charity, such as recycling, the turtle sanctuary, or school children. There are options to go to one class or purchase a pass to attend several sessions during your stay. 

Seek Adventure on a Canopy Tour

The Montezuma Waterfall Canopy Tour (aka zip lining) is another way to view the Montezuma falls. With 9 cables and 11 platforms, this activity hosted by Suntrails, a Sustainably Certified operator, offers stunning views of the rainforest.

The tour finishes at the upper waterfall, which includes swimming in the falls, so bring your bathing suit to end your tour in a refreshing way.

Surf the Peninsula

Young Vision Surf is a locally owned company, which means they know the best places to catch the waves. They offer various surf retreats – such as family, female-only, and a surf/yoga combination – or an opportunity to spend a week surfing beaches in Montezuma, Cabuya, and Santa Teresa.

If you prefer to commit less, they offer daily surf lessons at Playa Grande. Groups meet downtown and taken to the beach by guided hike, admiring native plants and animals along the way. 

Learn About Local Wildlife

Romelia Wildlife Refuge is directly behind Playa Grande, and although it is private property (and needs to be respected), it is easily observed from the beach. They also have opportunities to volunteer from August through January when sea turtles are laying and hatching their eggs. 

Not to be missed, Curu Wildlife Refuge is a 40-minute drive from Montezuma Costa Rica and is a treat for animal lovers. The area is filled with landscape diversity with its beaches, forests, mangroves, and marine habitats, and the animals are more varied with regular sightings of white-tailed deer, monkeys, coatis, and hundreds of species of birds.

Hours are from 7 a.m to 3 p.m, and guided tours and cabins for overnight stays are also available.

Trek to El Chorro Waterfall

If you are up for a hike, the El Chorro Waterfall is at the far end of Playa Chorro, which is a two-hour hike from Montezuma. It is best to try and leave earlier in the day to avoid the heat and be sure to take snacks and water. Heading to El Chorro takes a bit of an effort, but the secluded beach and blue waters are well worth it.

Best Hotels in Montezuma, Costa Rica 

• Hotel Los Mangos: Home of Montezuma Yoga, Hotel Los Mangos offers octagonal bungalows that overlook the ocean and area shaded with mango trees. The bungalows were designed by the owner to mimic the architecture found in Bali. Each has a double and single bed along with a balcony to enjoy the outdoors. If you prefer a room, there are some available with either a private bath or shared bathroom (which are very economical at $35 USD per night). The property is within walking distance of downtown and offers a pool, garden, and yoga pavilion.

• Amor de Mar: Billed as a “small hotel in paradise,” Amor de Mar has the mission of respecting the area’s ecosystem while benefiting the local community. They conserve water by using water-saving hot water heaters and low flow toilets. The hotel’s decor also utilizes the work of many artisans, and their outreaches include supporting local schools and recycling centers. Traditional rooms and villas are available for short or long stays in Montezuma, Costa Rica.  
• Hotel El Jardin: Conveniently located in the heart of the town and just a short walk to the beach and Montezuma Falls, Hotel El Jardin also offers experiences in either one of their two bungalows or 14 air-conditioned rooms. The property itself is surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens, which are frequently visited by birds, monkeys, iguanas, and other local animals. Boasting a two-level pool and views of both the ocean and town of Montezuma, the hotel is a great mid-range accommodation option close to restaurants and shops.

•  Suntrails Lodge: Suntrails Lodge is a project of Suntrails, the same sustainable company that does the canopy tour. They purposefully created a place that was both comfortable and had good service while surrounding their guests with the beauty of Montezuma Costa Rica. With only 6 rooms, the lodge offers an aerial bridge and a trail that leads to the Montezuma waterfall after a 10-minute walk. Staying with Suntrails also gives you easy access to tours, which makes this one of our favourite hotels in Montezuma Costa Rica.
• Ylang Ylang Beach Resort: This property has been recognized by both TripAdvisor and Fodor’s and is considered one of Costa Rica’s most scenic resorts. Ylang Ylang Beach Resort lies in between the rainforest and white sand beach and offers bungalows and beach rooms. Many sustainable features have been purposefully incorporated into the hotel, such as solar panels, reduction of single-use plastics, and cleaning rooms with biodegradable products. They also have an on-site restaurant featured in our “where to eat” section below.

Where to Eat in Montezuma Costa Rica

• Soda Tipica Las Palmeras: This family-run restaurant is right off the town centre in Montezuma, and it serves authentic Costa Rican cuisine along with smoothies made with fresh fruit. Their specialties include seafood, such as king prawns and Mahi Mahi, prepared in a variety of ways. You may even have views of curious, local monkeys as you dine. They also offer gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options

• Soda La Naranja: Whether you love ceviche or are a strict vegetarian, Soda La Naranja knows how to combine flavours in a way that truly pleases the palate. The restaurant is family-run, and the food is carefully prepared, which allows you to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

• Puggo’s: The owner of Puggo’s settled in Costa Rica after traveling the world,  brings the flavours of her experiences to the patrons of her restaurant. The restaurant uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including freshly caught fish. Spices from the owner’s home country of Israel are often incorporated into recipes, and the menu also offers several vegetarian options.
• La Vida Dulce: If pastries and desserts are what you’re craving, then a stop at La Vida Dulce is a treat. They offer pecan caramel sticky buns and blueberry sour cream coffee cake. It’s no wonder that this is a favourite with locals and visitors alike. There are also vegan options such as chocolate chip banana bread. Prix fixe dinners happen each Friday night, but be sure to make reservations ahead of time as we have found that they sell out quickly!

• Ylang Ylang Restaurant & Bar: Located at its namesake, Ylang Ylang Restaurant & Bar prides itself on impeccable service. The restaurant also uses locally sourced ingredients and offers vegan and gluten free options on the menu. If you stay at the resort your breakfast and dinner are included in your stay, which is a great perk!
• Ubin by Keilor Sanchez: This restaurant thrives on using local ingredients in its dishes. Not only is food presented beautifully, but it is also flavourful while pairing unique combinations. The décor and atmosphere match the quality of the food all to create a memorable Costa Rican experience.

How Much Time Do You Need in Montezuma, Costa Rica?

Visiting the town Montezuma beach and the falls can be done in a day, but if you want to get a true taste of the area and its activities, it’s best to stay two to three days. Montezuma seems to be one of those stops where travelers tend to linger due to the laid back nature and beauty of the area. So if you are craving a break from your itinerary, we think this is a great place to do so!

Montezuma has a lot to offer with its oceanside bungalows, fresh flavours, and Playa Montezuma. Whether you choose to make a day of it or fill a week with yoga, surfing, and wildlife viewing, we think it is an ideal place to stay in Costa Rica.

Have you visited Montezuma Costa Rica before? Are there any additional activities or places you would recommend?