Originally founded as a small fishing village, Montezuma has grown in popularity over the last few decades to become a beautiful, tranquil and adventure loving town.
Today, it is home to a very international community. The make-up of residents is somewhere around 60% Tico to 40% emmigrant, giving Montezuma the unique ability to offer many of the comforts of home, with a stunning variety of restaurants and shops, with the ability (and sometimes necessity) to practice your Spanish during simple transactions or casual conversation.
The streets of the main drag are lined with artisans, trying to earn a living by means of jewlery, home-made cosmetics, hand-crafted journals and much more. They crowd the streets with their dread locks and hemp necklaces, holding impromptu jam sessions with bongos, flutes and guitars. Many times you’ll see them passing the time away, juggling with fire or other equally entertaining toys.
And that’s just the center of town. The beauty of Montezuma really begins to take shape as you move to the outskirts of town. There are wildlife refuges both to the immediate north and south. Walk north through the Nicolás Wessberg Absolute Natural Reserve to find hordes of monkeys, red and black mo-hawked squirrels, toucans and more.
A two hour hike will bring you past seven unique beaches, the highlights of which include Piedra Colorada, where a river makes a natural pool before it meets the ocean, rocks and tree trunks are balanced high atop one another and waterfalls beckon within view. The jewel of the last beach, Playa Cocalito, is the El Chorro Waterfall which plummets directly into the sea.
Making your way to the Cabo Blanco National Park, to the south of Montezuma, you will find many rivers, secluded natural pools and spectacular waterfalls within a short hike. Take the long hike through the park to witness abundant wildlife and a spectacular, secluded beach overlooking a picturesque island.
One of the best things to do in this area is to go waterfall hunting. Hike up almost any river and you’re bound to find one. The most famous is the set of 3 Montezuma Waterfalls where visitors swim, cliff dive and clown around on the rope swing.
Those who are adventurous enough (and most aren’t), may even happen upon the mythical white waterfalls where every rock and cliff is white and water cascades from every angle for a stretch of several hundred meters, ending with a natural waterslide into a swimming pool.
And all this fails to mention golf, hiking, kayaking, scuba, snorkeling, horseback riding, surfing, yoga, bonfires, beach parties, night clubs, bars, uninhabited white sand beaches and a whole lot more.
Top Activities & Things to Do in Montezuma
Montezuma Waterfall Hike
Since La Escuela Del Sol is located right at the base of the Montezuma River which leads to the spectacular Montezuma Falls, we can’t pass up the opportunity to show off a little bit. We’ll take every student on an easy hike to our favorite local watering hole for a rest and a quick dip. There you can swim or just sit and admire the magnificent 75 foot falls (the largest in the area). For the more daring, we’ll continue through some difficult terrain to the second and third falls where we’ll take the rope swing out for a twirl and maybe even do some cliff diving. It’s a great time, guaranteed.
Giant Turtle Egg Laying Tour (July – October; New and Full Moons)
Armando, our local wildlife expert who was born and raised in Montezuma will take you for a nighttime stroll along the beach. Along the way, he’ll teach you everything you ever wanted to know about nearby plants and animals, including the plight of the endangered giant green turtle and how to observe one as unobtrusively as possible. By the end of the tour, with a little luck, you’ll get to see one in action. But no flash photography, or you might spook one away.
Zip-Line Canopy Tour
Your zip-lining tour will send you soaring, high above the rainforest floor for one of the biggest adrenaline rushes Costa Rica has to offer. If you keep your eyes open, chances are you’ll see monkeys, exotic birds and unmatched views of the Pacific Ocean. Professional, experienced instructors will guide you safely through the exhilarating course, containing 9 cables, 3 waterfalls and 2 and a half hours of high-flying fun.
Horseback Riding on Beach to El Chorro Waterfalls
Your horse will await you in downtown Montezuma where you’ll begin your tour. Guides will take you along the beach and through the Nicolas Wessberg Nature Reserve. You’ll ride past rivers, waterfalls and natural swimming pools formed on the beach before reaching the El Chorro Falls. There you will dismount and take some time to swim in a refreshing river, play on the beach and check out the falls in virtual privacy (aside from the curious monkeys, of course). The whole trip lasts 4 hours and includes water and a snack. No experience is necessary.
Kayak and Snorkeling Tour – $30
Snorkel off the shores of Isla Cabuya, one of the most historic islands of Costa Rica. After a thirty minute kayaking trip to this island, you’ll visit a cemetery for local residents followed by a dip in the pristine, protected waters surrounding the island which allow for great snorkeling. You’ll have time to explore and relax while your guides prepare a snack of fresh fruit, giving you enough energy to paddle back to the mainland.
Hike through Cabo Blanco National Park – $8
In 1963, the nearby Cabo Blanco became the first National Park in Costa Rica. Today it boasts 1250 hectares of lush rainforest, dramatic coastline and countless species of animals and plants. Monkeys, Sloths, Toucans, Parrots and a slew of other exotic animals frolick through the forest and fly over head. Hike through the mountains, picnic by the river or stroll along the stunning beach and you’ll see things your friends would never believe if you didn’t have the proof on your camera.
Isla Tortuga Snorkeling Tour – $40
This uninhabited island off the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula provides exquisite beauty and endless fun. You’ll work on your suntan and enjoy the views from the deck of a speedboat on the way through the islands. Once you reach Tortuga, you’ll disembark, grab your snorkel gear and head for the volcanic reef to hang in the crystal clear waters with some tropical fish. Afterwards, you can wade in the ocean or explore the island while your guides cook you up some fresh fish and local cuisine. But save some gas in the tank ‘cause the ride back often turns into a dance party.
SCUBA Diving at Isla Tortuga – $100 for 1 Tank Dive/$140 for 2 Tank Dive
A speedboat will take you straight from Montezuma Beach to a prime dive spot near Isla Tortuga. Visibility ranges from 30 to 80 feet!! where you may spot angel fish, sea horses, octopus, manta rays, spotted eagle rays, dolphin, whale sharks and countless tropical fish. Trip includes lunch and drinks, full diving gear and professional, English speaking, dive master instructors.
Off Shore and Deep Sea Fishing
Costa Rica is also the top fishing destination in all of Central America. Take a “3 hour tour” into the Pacific Ocean, cast your rod and start reeling in blue marlin, giant yellowfin tuna, roosterfish, red snapper, dorado and wahoo among others. Whatever you catch, bring on home, and for just a few colones, our in-house chefs will grill it up for a mouth watering, happy ending to a fantastic day.
ATV Rental – $50* Half Day/$70* Full Day
Take a ride on the wild side with a Honda 4 wheeler to discover some of the more secluded pristine beaches, waterfalls and pueblos in the area. One of the better forms of transportation on the mostly bump-laden (a.k.a. adventurous) dirt roads, you can take your quad all the way to Cabo Blanco or Mal Pais and Santa Teresa for some wildlife or an afternoon surf.
All prices are current but are subject to change by discretion of activity provider and seasonality. You can search all activities and excurions online for latest options and prices.