The Nicoya Peninsula has a tropical climate, with a dry season from December to April and a rainy season from May to November. The region receives relatively little rainfall compared to other parts of Costa Rica. The peninsula is largely covered in tropical dry forests, which are characterized by trees that shed their leaves during the dry season. These forests are home to a variety of plant species, including Guanacaste trees, which is the national tree of Costa Rica. The area will be dry, hot and dusty during dry season and together with Guanacaste receives less rain during rainy season compared to the central and south Pacific. 

Did you know the Nicoya Peninsula is a so-called blue zone? Blue zones are regions in the world where people live longer and healthier lives. Costa Rica has one of the five identified Blue Zones in the world. Many residents of this region enjoy long and healthy lives, with many centenarians (people who are over 100 years old) in the area. Researchers attribute the longevity of Nicoya residents to a combination of factors, including a healthy diet rich in whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables, as well as an active lifestyle and strong social connections.

Paquera is one of the first towns after you have reached the peninsula by ferry. Although a lot of people drive through Paquera on their way to Montezuma or Santa Teresa, it is actually worth a stay. It is a quiet town surrounded by nature and close to the Curú Wildlife Refuge, making it ideal for eco-tourists and nature lovers. Paquera is also a well-known destination for fishing and water sports. There are several local fishing charters and tour operators that offer fishing trips, snorkeling and scuba diving excursions. 

The Curú Wildlife Refuge is a coastal park and home to a diverse range of animal species, including monkeys, white-tailed deer and many birds. You can explore the trails in the reserve that offer both forest and beach hikes. The reserve also offers a variety of tours, such as bird watching tours, guided hikes, and night tours to observe nocturnal animals.  A must-consider in this area if you have the opportunity is the bioluminescence phenomenon, when high concentrations of organisms light up the water. As you paddle through the darkness of the night, every splash and stroke creates a magical trail of glowing blue light. Note that you should take the moon phase into account and only consider a tour when there is little to no moonlight.

I would definitely recommend doing a boat tour to Isla Tortuga. Isla Tortuga is a small bounty island located in the Gulf of Nicoya. The island is only accessible by boat, and there are several tour operators that offer day trips to the island. Tours usually include snorkeling. There is a restaurant and souvenir shop on the island. The restaurant is not always open, so make sure you do pack your own drinks and food if it is not included in your boat trip, or check with your tour operator if the restaurant and store on the island are open.

Explore where to stay in Paquera

• El Gecko Hotel, a nice, affordable, family owned cabinas style hotel. Also offering tours. Check out El Gecko Hotel on Booking.com for great deals!

Explore things to do near Paquera

• Visit Isla Tortuga including snorkling and relaxing at the beautiful white sanded beach.

• Visit the Curu National Wildlife Refuge.

• Take a bioluminescence kayak tour or boat tour at night from Paquera.

Don't forget to check the Highlights Map for points of interest, activities, accommodations, and more.

The small and scenic beach town of Montezuma is my preferred choice to stay when visiting the Nicoya Peninsula. The town itself is small and charming, with a Bohemian vibe, and it has some beautiful beaches, and is surrounded by nature. In town, you will find tour operators, a couple of nice restaurants, bars and a relaxed nightlife scene. It's a popular destination for backpackers, with some cheap hostel options in town. The more high-end accommodations are located further from the center. The beaches around Montezuma are ideal for walking, swimming and sunbathing, but not so much for surfing. The surrounding nature is amazing and there are several options for exploring like hiking to the Montezuma waterfall. There is also a weekly farmer marked with a nice hippy vibe that is worth visiting. The nearby town of Cabuya and Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, also have a lot to offer for nature and beach lovers. Montezuma has a tranquil beach south-west of town and a more stretched rugged and rocky beach north-east of town. If you follow this beach you will get to a place called Piedra Colorada (which transalte to colored stone) a small waterfall and swimming hole at the beach. I attempted to surf near Montezuma as there were surfboards available in town, but for me as a beginner it was not ideal. If you like surfing, the nearby town of Santa Teresa is a better option.

The town of Cabuya is located approximately 10 kilometers south-west of Montezuma and borders the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve. Cabuya is small, with just a few options for accommodations for those who seek to avoid the more touristy beach towns in the area. One of the main attractions in Cabuya is the Cabuya Island Cemetery, which is located just off the coast and is accessible during low tide. 

Cabuya also has the only ranger station and entrance to the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve. This reserve offers both beautiful tropical forest, and a lot of amazing beaches. The reserve is named after the Cabo Blanco headland, which is the southernmost point on the Nicoya Peninsula. It’s a perfect destination for ecotourism. You can hike through the forest and along the coastline, while observing many species of wildlife. The reserve has two trails. The Sueco trail is a 5 kilometers (3 miles) trail through the forest to Playa Cabo Blanco. Note that the trail is a bit difficult at some points, and you will need to get back on the same trail, which means the total hike will be 10 kilometers (6 miles). Prepare well as you will probably be hiking 4 to 5 hours. The Danes trail is a short 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) loop trail.

Note that, even though the reserve borders Mail Pais in the north close to Santa Teresa, there is no entry point at this side. Driving to Cabuya from Santa Teresa can be challenging. The best option to reach Cabuya is to take the coastal road from Montezuma. To drive between Santa Teresa and Montezuma it is easiest to drive via the main roads that connect the towns from Cobano.

Explore where to stay in Montezuma

• Luz en el Cielo Eco Bed & Breakfast is a very nice hotel close to town center of Montezuma with both private rooms as hostel style dorms. Breakfast is included and there is a nice pool. Check out Luz en el Cielo Eco Bed & Breakfast on Booking.com for great deals!

• Hotel Cabinas Mar y Cielo is another great place to stay. It is a bit more basic, but I loved the location as it is right at the beach and on one of the main streets of Montezuma. Check out Hotel Cabinas Mar y Cielo on Booking.com for great deals!

• If you are looking for a more luxurious accommodation just outside the town, you might like the Ylang Ylang Beach Resort. 

Explore things to do near Montezuma

• Montezuma Waterfalls, free entrance and a relatively short hike along and through the river towards the waterfall where you can relax and swim a bit. To get to the upper waterfall is a bit more challenging and be careful if you want to visit the waterfall during rainy season (like you should with visiting any waterfall in Costa Rica during rainy season due to stronger currents, raised water levels and possible waterheads). 

• Playa Montezuma, a beautiful stretched rugged and rocky beach north-east of town, leading up to a place called Piedra Colorada with a small waterfall and swimming hole (don't be disappointed during dry season when there might be little water).

• Boca de Rio Lajas, following the coastal road from Montezuma to Cabuya you will pass Playa Lajas with the river mouth of the Lajas river a nice place to enjoy both beach and river. Crystal clear water, birds and monkeys.

• Cabuya Island Cemetery. Walk during low tide from playa Cabuya to the Cabuya Cemetery Island. Although the small island is a calm and serene place to visit with some nice tidal pools, it being used as a cemetery dates back to pre-Columbian times and up to today funerals take place a couple of times a year during full moon.  As stories develop around cemeteries with such a unique setting and history, legend says the island is haunted. 

• Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve, nice trails through beautiful jungle leading to some amazing beaches. 

Don't forget to check the Highlights Map for points of interest, activities, accommodations, and more.

The beach town of Santa Teresa is another popular destination on the Nicoya Peninsula, and for good reason. The beaches and sunsets are stunning, there is a laid-back atmosphere, and good surf breaks, making it a popular destination for surfers and beach goers. The town has a small but lively community with a mix of locals and expats, and it offers a variety of accommodations ranging from budget hostels to more luxury accommodations. The term budget might be relative though as the popularity of the town and the great number of expats have their impact on the prices. The town has plenty of restaurant options, shops and bars. 

Santa Teresa definitely is a popular surfing destination. The main beach is a long stretch of white sand with consistent waves that are suitable for surfers of all levels, from beginners to advanced. There are plenty of surf schools and rental shops in Santa Teresa, making it easy for beginners to learn how to surf or for experienced surfers to rent equipment. In addition to surfing and relaxing on the beach, you can also go zip lining in the nearby town of Mal Pais, where you are also able to find several nice and lesser visited beaches. Santa Teresa is kind of at the far end of the Peninsula and roads in the area are gravel. These roads are dusty during dry season and muddy during rainy season, but you can reach Santa Teresa from the main road of Cobano without issues.

Explore where to stay in Santa Teresa

• Selina Santa Teresa South, is conveniently located in the town center of Santa Teresa. They offer various types of rooms and dorms. There is a swimming pool, a shared relaxation area to meet other travelers, and a business room for the digital nomads. Check out Selina Santa Teresa South on Booking.com for great deals!

Explore things to do near Santa Teresa

• Chill at the beaches in front and near Santa Teresa. Rent a surfboard or take surfing classes at Playa Santa Teresa, Playa Carmen and Playa Hermosa.

• South of Santa Teresa you will find the small fishing town Mal Pais with Playa Mal Pais, a great place if you want to escape the more busy beaches near Santa Teresa. Near Mal Pais you will find the rocky secluded Playa Cuevas, with a large rock formation at the beach.

• Canopy del Pacifico Mal Pais, is located near Mal Pais if you are looking for some ziplining.

Don't forget to check the Highlights Map for points of interest, activities, accommodations, and more.

The Nicoya Peninsula is located in the northwest region of Costa Rica.  From Guanacaste in the north you can reach the peninsula by land and from when you travel from the direction of La Fortuna and Monteverde there is a bridge, called the Puente de la Amistad de Taiwan or Tempisque bridge as it crosses the Tempisque river. Another option is to take a ferry from the town of Puntarenas to Paquera or Playa Naranjo. The ferry takes about 1.5 hours, and it's a scenic journey across the Gulf of Nicoya. 

Keep in mind that roads in the Nicoya Peninsula can be narrow, winding, and sometimes unpaved, so it's important to be cautious and drive slowly. Also, during the rainy season, some roads may become impassable, so it's a good idea to check local weather and road conditions before traveling.  The best option to reach Cabuya is to take the coastal road from Montezuma. To drive between Santa Teresa and Montezuma it is easiest to drive via the main roads that connect the towns from Cobano.

For detailed descriptions and a map on how to get to the Nicoya Peninsula, check the Routes & Roads page.

When you travel by bus from San José you can take the bus to Cobano from the 7/10 terminal. From Cobano you can transfer to other buses in the direction of Santa Teresa or Montezuma.