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People on rocks beside breaking waves at sunset in Santa Teresa.

Costa Rica · Nosara & Santa Teresa

Montezuma and the southern tip

Waterfalls, a reserve, islands and small villages between Paquera and Cabo Blanco.

7 places2 closed or restricted, flagged

  1. Montezuma Waterfalls1

    Photo: Vargob, CC BY-SA 3.0

    NatureOpen

    Montezuma Waterfalls

    A few minutes south of Montezuma village40 km from the centre

    Entry
    ₡2,000
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Three stepped falls, the tallest almost 25 m, reached along the riverbed or by a trail with hanging bridges.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Montezuma Waterfalls · 2025 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Riverbed route: parking only, ₡2,000; another ₡2,000 may be charged for the upper falls. Hanging-bridge trail: $5 per person (September 2025).

    Tip: Do not jump from the middle fall: people have died. The lower one is not safe for jumping either because of rocks. Leave before dark, around 17:30.

    Nearby: Montezuma village and beach (0.9 km) · Cabuya Island cemetery (6.4 km) · El Chorro Waterfall (6.5 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Montezuma Waterfalls · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Montezuma

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  2. Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve2

    Photo: Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-SA 3.0

    NatureRestricted access

    Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve

    Past Cabuya, 15 min south of Montezuma and ~1 h from Santa Teresa41.8 km from the centre

    Entry
    $12
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    The country’s first protected area (1963), at the tip of the peninsula, with the Sueco trail to a beach reachable only on foot or by boat.

    Closed Monday and Tuesday to reduce the impact on wildlife; open Wednesday to Sunday, 8:00–16:00. On those days, visit the Montezuma waterfalls or Cabuya island instead.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve · 2025 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $12 adults and $5 children 6–12; free under 6 (July 2025).
    Time needed
    Sueco trail: 10 km round trip, about 2 hours each way. Danés trail: 2 km.

    Tip: Start the Sueco trail by about 11:00 to be out before closing.

    Nearby: Cabuya Island cemetery (4.6 km) · Mal País tide pools (7.6 km) · Playa Carmen (8.5 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve · Wikipedia – Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve · Costa Rica Vibes – Cabo Blanco Reserve

  3. 3

    BeachOpen

    Montezuma village and beach

    South-east coast of the peninsula, south-east of Cóbano40.6 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A small village with a bohemian feel, rocky beaches to the north, stone cairns and a coastal path to Playa Grande.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Montezuma · 2025

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Playa Grande, about 45 minutes’ walk north along the beach path, is the best surf spot nearby.

    Nearby: Montezuma Waterfalls (0.9 km) · El Chorro Waterfall (5.6 km) · Cabuya Island cemetery (7 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Montezuma

  4. 4

    NatureOpen

    El Chorro Waterfall

    Between Montezuma and Tambor43.8 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A waterfall that pours straight into the sea on a beach north of Montezuma, reached on foot, on horseback or with a short hike after driving.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Montezuma · 2025 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Check the tide before you go: walking along the beach is easier at low tide.

    Nearby: Playa Tambor (3.6 km) · Montezuma village and beach (5.6 km) · Montezuma Waterfalls (6.5 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Montezuma · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Tambor

  5. 5

    CultureRestricted access

    Cabuya Island cemetery

    Cabuya, south of Montezuma42.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    An islet off the fishing village of Cabuya that holds the local cemetery; you cross on foot over the rocks at low tide.

    Reachable on foot only at low tide; at high tide the path is covered and you can be cut off. Check a tide chart and, if timing does not fit, visit Cabo Blanco, a few minutes away.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Montezuma · 2025

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: It is a working cemetery: walk respectfully.

    Nearby: Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve (4.6 km) · Montezuma Waterfalls (6.4 km) · Montezuma village and beach (7 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Montezuma

  6. Isla Tortuga day trip6

    Photo: Johan Guatemala, CC BY-SA 3.0

    WaterOpen

    Isla Tortuga day trip

    Departures from Montezuma, Curú, Puntarenas and Herradura (Jacó)56.4 km from the centre

    Entry
    from $78
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Boat trip to an undeveloped island in the Gulf of Nicoya with a white-sand beach, snorkelling, a trail to a viewpoint and lunch.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Tortuga Island catamaran · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    From Montezuma: from $78 plus VAT (September 2025). By catamaran from Herradura: $145 plus tax per adult (September 2026).
    Time needed
    From Montezuma the boat takes about 1 hour; the catamaran from Herradura takes about 8.5 hours.

    Nearby: Bioluminescence night kayak (3.6 km) · Curú Wildlife Refuge (3.8 km) · Playa Tambor (14.7 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Tortuga Island catamaran · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Montezuma · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Curú National Wildlife Refuge

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  7. 7

    WaterOpen

    Puntarenas–Paquera ferry

    Terminal in Puntarenas; arrives in Paquera64.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    ₡810
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Ferry across the Gulf of Nicoya and the usual route from San José to Montezuma, Tambor, Mal País and Santa Teresa.

    Source: Naviera Tambor – Horarios y tarifas · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Adults ₡810, minors ₡480–485 depending on the source, over-65s free; car ₡11,400 plus VAT (2026).
    Hours
    8 daily sailings each way: 4:00, 6:30, 9:00, 12:00, 15:00, 18:00, 20:00 and 22:00 (valid since 20 April 2026).
    Booking
    Part of the space is sold online and the rest at the ticket office; arrive at least 45 minutes early, especially on holidays.
    Time needed
    About 70 minutes.

    Sources: Naviera Tambor – Horarios y tarifas · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Puntarenas–Paquera ferry

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