Montezuma is a small town on the gulf side of the Nicoya Peninsula. It has a nice blend of tourist and hippie, and is a great place to relax for a few days. When you mention Montezuma elsewhere, your pronunciation is generally corrected: “No no, Montefuma” they tell you — which should say something about how laid back a town it really is. Montezuma sits right on the water and is surrounded by jungle that covers the steep ascent to Cobano — each night as I went to bed I said goodnight to the monkeys eating in the trees behind my hammock. However, it’s a bit pricey — you can easily spend $5-$8USD for a “casado” (set meal of meat, rice, beans, etc), $1-$2USD for a cup of coffee and $3-4USD for a liter of beer. If you’re going to stay under budget, and maybe have a little beer money for the end of the day you’re going to need a place with a kitchen. Thankfully, most places in Montezuma have kitchens available for guest use (including all of the ones profiled here).
The town itself is a jumping off point for several tours and transport options: boat trips to Isla Tortuga, day trips to Cabo Blanco Nature Preserve, as well as boat shuttles to Jaco and Manuel Antonio. Even if your budget doesn’t include tours, there are plenty of trails that lend themselves to (free!) day hikes.
GETTING // GOING • SLEEPING • EATING