The Best Montezuma, Costa Rica, Beaches for Every Traveler

Montezuma, Costa Rica, beaches are among some of the most beautiful places to see in the entire country. 

Located on the southern end of the Nicoya Peninsula in the Guanacaste province, this area is the epitome of an off-the-beaten-path natural stunner.

Montezuma’s beaches are in a remote part of the country, making them a bit more challenging to get to. However, the journey is certainly worth it because you’ll be treated to pristine, quiet beaches, tons of wildlife, lush vegetation, and ample bohemian vibes.

The surrounding area is full of mountains, rivers, and waterfalls, making it the perfect place for any beach bum who loves all aspects of nature. 

And, even though the town of Montezuma is relatively small, it is possible to walk the coastline for hours to enjoy the bay and countless different beaches. 

Best beaches in Montezuma

The absolute best thing to do in Montezuma is to visit the beaches. There are several to choose from, so read on to decide which is the best fit for your holiday.

Playa Montezuma 

Best for beach bums who like to lounge in peace. 

Playa Montezuma, Costa Rica, is located just north of Montezuma town, which is tiny. You can walk the entire village in about 15 minutes, so the beach is the main draw. 

Luckily, getting there is relatively easy. It’s a lovely 20-minute walk through the lush vegetation surrounding the area and the main beach in Montezuma Bay. Unfortunately, there is no road access. However, the trek is definitely worth it, and the beach will be far less crowded than others in the area.

This beach is perfect for people who want to chill and body surf in the choppy water. 

Playa Grande

Best for surfers and nature lovers.

Another great option is Playa Grande. This beach is a scenic 30-minute walk north of town.

The long stretch of sand is absolutely gorgeous, and the waves here are great. Playa Grande is known for surfing. 

The walk to the beach is another reason to add this spot to your list. Along the way, you’ll pass other small beaches, coves, and a small waterfall at Piedra Colorada. In addition, there are some interesting rock formations called cairns there worth exploring.

If you are paying attention, you can also spot plenty of wildlife, such as howler monkeys and brightly colored birds.  

Piedra Colorada

Best for lovers of unique natural beauty. 

Piedra Colorada beach is located right where the mouth of the Piedra Colorada River meets the ocean. 

It is a rocky beach, but the colorful stones give it a different kind of beauty than your typical white-sand beaches. 

In fact, there is a long-standing tradition of building a small sculpture with the colored rocks you find along the beach. You can leave your mark and show off your creative side when you’ve had enough swimming for the day.

If you hike up the river a bit, you’ll discover smaller freshwater swimming holes and a few waterfalls.

Playa Cocalito 

Best for adventure seekers.

If you’re up for an adventure, head to Playa Cocalito. The best way to reach this beach is by horseback. You’ll ride through the jungle and down a long stretch of beach, making it a very memorable experience. 

Once you arrive, you’ll find beautiful, clear waters, powder-soft white sand, and a stunning waterfall to explore.

This waterfall is one of seven in the world that falls directly into the ocean. Talk about a unique experience!

Isla Cabuya 

Best for those interested in the macabre

If you are looking for more unusual things to explore, head to the undeveloped Isla Cabuya.

This island, just off the south coast of Montezuma, is a remote fishing village with several rocky beaches to check out. 

There are tide pools you can explore, rivers, and even a few good surf spots. 

The island is also known for its cemetery. Come here and walk the grounds for a memorable and spiritual experience. The entire island is now a burial ground, and the narrow pathway and circling buzzards certainly give the place an eerie feel. Locals claim it is haunted, so proceed with caution!

The best part about Isla Cabuya is that you can walk here during low tide. Just be sure you pay attention to the tide table so you don’t get stuck when the water rises!

Las Manchas 

Best for swimmers and snorkel enthusiasts.

Las Manchas is another excellent option about 2 km (1.2 miles) south of Montezuma. It can be accessed by car and is one of the most beautiful beaches in the area. Imagine a beach with the whitest sand in the area nestled up to aquamarine waters perfect for wading in. 

The area is a local fan favorite, especially for families, because of the unique rock formations and tide pools to explore or relax in. 

Find a spot near the trees for some shade or swim in the sea. You may see schools of tropical fish flitting around your feet, so bring your snorkel. 

However, it is important to be careful. Playa Las Manchas is known to have rip currents, so pay attention to the tides and stick close to shore, especially if you aren’t a strong swimmer. 

Las Rocas 

Best for families and freshwater lovers.

A must-see beach in the area is Playa Las Rocas. Just a short 20-30 minute walk south of Montezuma, you’ll find Las Rocas nestled between Playa Los Cedros and Playa Las Manchas.

The two sandy beaches with small waves make it the perfect spot for families with children or people who love the ocean but aren’t confident swimmers.

The river mouth at Las Rocas is optimal for wading in the freshwater. In addition, you can find a rope swing, perfect for adventure seekers who want to show off while their friends or family relax in the freshwater.

It is possible to snorkel right off the beach here as well. 

Playa Suecos

Best for photographers and those looking for some peace and quiet.

Playa Suecos is a secluded beach tucked away from some of the others. To reach the sandy shores, you’ll need to walk along a winding jungle path from the parking area, south of Montezuma. 

However, you’ll be rewarded with calm ocean waters and beautiful tide pools once you arrive. 

This beach is great for snorkeling as well. Sea life is consistently present, and you may get lucky and see giant stingrays and regal sea turtles. Because Playa Suecos is right next to Cabo Blanco’s protected marine reserve, you are pretty much guaranteed to see something beautiful swimming alongside you. 

Besides all the cool marine life, the best part of visiting Playa Suecos is the large rock formations. They make it the best place for a sunset photo shoot. In fact, photographers often brag about how photogenic Playa Suecos is, saying it is one of the best places in the entire Nicoya Peninsula to take pictures.

Santa Teresa

Best for surfers and sunset chasers.

Playa Santa Teresa is another beach to add to your list.

It has a long, expansive beach and is known for excellent surfing. Its location is also picture-perfect for sunset. Bring your camera to snap a few pictures after catching some waves. 

As you can see, there are plenty of beaches to keep you busy in Montezuma. It is actually possible to spend the whole day walking the coastline, popping into different beaches and coves along the way.

Other things to do near the Montezuma beaches

If time allows, add a few excursions to your itinerary while visiting Montezuma. 

One option is Tortuga Island. Daily boat trips will take you out to swim, snorkel, and relax on the boat. 

It’s a great place to spot marine life, especially sea turtles.

Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve is another excellent addition to your trip. This is Costa Rica’s first nature reserve, established in 1963. Here you’ll have the opportunity to do a challenging hike, swim in the beautiful ocean, and marvel at the abundance of flora and fauna. 

You can also check out the Montezuma waterfalls. These are the most popular attractions in the area outside of the beaches.

You’ll find the waterfalls by Hotel Casada, right by the bridge. 

If you’re up for the challenge, take the 20-minute walk to the first of three waterfalls. Then you can spend the rest of your morning or afternoon exploring the different cascades.

Be sure to wear hiking sandals. The walk isn’t too strenuous, but you’ll want some sturdy shoes to get you to the top. 

Where to stay in Montezuma

The Nicoya Peninsula is known for relaxed accommodation options, romantic getaways, rustic cabins and adorable guest houses.

It is also possible to rent a Montezuma beach house or chalet if you plan to base yourself in town and explore the different beaches daily.

Airbnb does operate in town, but rentals tend to book up fast. Because of this, it is also possible to find accommodation on the other side of the peninsula and drive to Montezuma Beach each day. 

If you book early enough, there are plenty of beach houses, chalets, or apartments to choose from. 

How to get to the Montezuma, Costa Rica, beaches

Montezuma is about 158 km (98 miles) from the San José International Airport. 

The easiest way to get there is by taking a shuttle bus. Tickets cost around $58 per person, and the journey will take around five to six hours.

If you are looking for a cheaper option, you can take a bus + ferry combo for $17 per person. 

There is also a public bus which will take about six hours. 

If you fly into Liberia, it’s about four to five hours from there as well. 

If you are already in Costa Rica, it is also possible to get to Montezuma from Jacó.

Weather in Montezuma

The warmest, driest months at the Montezuma beaches are from January to April. 

Temperatures hover right around 32℃ (90℉ ). This is also peak season, so book as early as possible.

If you want to travel during shoulder season, try to avoid October and November—the rainiest months. 

Montezuma can be very windy in January and February as well. If the winds are too high, it could be too dangerous to swim because this impacts the currents. This is important to note if you are a water baby and plan to swim as much as possible.

Packing list essentials for Montezuma

Be sure to pack anything and everything you’d need for the beach. Of course, you’ll want plenty of bathing suits, sunscreen, a hat, and flip-flops to keep you comfortable and relaxed. 

Many beaches are undeveloped and do not provide any amenities, so packing a towel or beach blanket is also a good idea. As some beaches back up to a forested area, you could even bring a hammock to string between two trees. 

In addition to your typical beach holiday essentials, you will want to bring bug spray and water sandals.

Bug spray, especially the strong stuff with DEET, is important because of all of the lush forest surrounding many of the playas. You’ll want to protect yourself from mosquitos and other annoying creatures while trying to relax.

Water sandals or waterproof hiking shoes are also a good idea. There are plenty of great hikes to various waterfalls around the Montezuma beaches, and regular flip-flops won’t cut it on several of these trails. 

Also, plan on bringing cash with you. Unfortunately, there aren’t many ATMs around, and many businesses prefer cash, especially if you aren’t spending much money. However, several restaurants are beginning to take credit and debit cards.

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