Montezuma, Costa Rica
Montezuma is a long-time favorite for travelers in Costa Rica. The picturesque little town is famed for its bohemian flair and the stunning beauty of its beaches, rivers and waterfalls.
Itinerant artists in Montezuma
Montezuma's center, with its charming old wood houses, feels like the cozy open-air living room of the community where a continuous mellow party takes place. Just sit down in some bar or eatery and watch the street scenery of rastafarians, hippies, and tourists with eccentric tattoos walking along the colorful stands of itinerant artists.
The bay of Montezuma
Hemmed in by high cliffs overgrown with lush jungle Montezuma couldn't spread out too much. Hotels, restaurants and beaches are within short walking distance making an own transportation unnecessary.
Hotel in Montezuma
Many budget accommodations are available right in the center of Montezuma, as well as vacation rentals or nature and health oriented hotels. Several restaurants specialize in vegetarian and organic food, you find yoga classes and funky art shops.
Montezuma has long drawn European and American drop-outs, naturalists and artists. The new residents formed a counter-cultural, multi-ethnic melange of people who maintain an alternative lifestyle and feel committed to conservation.
The organic market in Montezuma
The hippie roots of Montezuma are most palpaple on the small farmers market held each Saturday morning in the central park. Here you can buy organic food, handicrafts and flowers, while musicians sit down for a jam session.
Montezuma center looking upon Chico's bar
The undisputed hot spot of the nightlife scene is Chico's Bar right in the center of Montezuma. The open air bar with its
large dance floor looks out to the street on the front side and in the back has tables and chairs facing the ocean.
For a movie night you can go to the Sano Banano hotel, or just sit down on the beach and enjoy the romantic setting with the
moon shimmering over the Gulf of Nicoya.
Across from the Gulf you can often see the mainland of Costa Rica which is only 50 km away. At day there are taxi boats to whisk you over to Jaco.
River scenery by the beach
Nestled into a landscape which reflects the tropical paradise, Montezuma draws eco-tourists, beach lovers and offbeat travelers alike. The village is backed by tropical jungle with small rivers flowing down from the hills and forming scenic waterfalls with natural swimming pools. Groups of capuchin monkeys live in the forests and are easy to spot.
To both sides of Montezuma, a few steps from the village center, you can explore miles of fantastic beaches with secluded coves and tidepools. See: Beaches, rivers and waterfalls around Montezuma
A host of operators in Montezuma offer tours to nearby sights and activities. A day jaunt to the Tortuga Islands includes snorkeling
in crystal-clear water. Another popular tour is the canopy by the Montezuma waterfall where you zip through the verdant river valley.
Or go scuba diving, sport fishing, surfing, or horseback riding.
A not-to-be-missed jewel for nature lovers is Cabo Blanco,
Costa Rica's oldest Nature Reserve, located 9 km south of Montezuma.