Costa Rica, Montezuma
Montezuma Playa Grande
At the northern end of Montezuma is
Playa Grande, a 3 km expanse of white sand which is perfect for bathing.
From here you can walk on a trail which alternates between the beach and a path through the forest
behind the rocks.
Beach north of Montezuma
You will pass by pristine, secluded bays fringed by the jungle of the Montezuma
Biological Reserve. After 4 km you reach the Cocalitos waterfall,
where fresh water cascades off an escarpment into lava rock swimming pools and then into the ocean.
Instead of walking, you could also make the tour ambling on horseback along the beach.
Tide pool in the rocks near Montezuma
At low tide you can stroll down the coast to the south
by walking over the rocky headlands.
Here you will find tide pools where you can marvel at maritime mini eco-systems or sit in and
have a refreshing bath.
After two kilometers you get to Playa Las Manchas, a beautiful
white-sand beach with turquoise clear waters.
See: South of Montezuma: Cabuya
Natural swimming pools in the Rio Montezuma
To find more natural swimming pools you can also hike up one of the many rivers around Montezuma where you find natural jacuzzis amidst the amphitheater of the jungle rising up steeply around you.
The Montezuma waterfall
The many beautiful waterfalls surrounding the village are one of the most noted features of Montezuma.
A hike of only 25 min brings you to a cascade which feeds a large natural swimming
pool. The entrance to the trail is past the Hotel Cascada
(see: Map of Montezuma), from where you walk
uphill through a beautiful, heavily forested river valley.
You will climb over rocks and roots, treading through the river several times, until you arrive at the
waterfall tumbling down from 80 feet into the water.
A small trail at the side of the waterfall climbs steeply up to another, smaller cascade
which has also formed a large pool inviting for a luxurious bath.
Better refrain from jumping off the rocks into the pool.
Several casualties have happened when divers hit the rocks underwater.