Nicoya – Beachcomber Pete Costa Rica

Playa San Miguel

Located in the still undeveloped region of Nicoya Peninsula in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica, Playa San Miguel attracts the adventurous, the seekers of solitude and those who relax best in quiet, remote regions of the globe. Adventurers come for the surf, the waterfalls, the sports fishing and the hiking while those who enjoy peace and quiet in natural settings come for the unpopulated beaches and lush jungle forests, as well as the spectacular beauty.

Playa San Miguel embraces six miles of Pacific ocean shore with natural pools providing safe swimming for all levels and ages. From cool dips in the quiet of the estuary or daredevil surfing in the challenging swells a few minutes walk away, Playa San Miguel offers perfect beach experiences for all. While beaches worldwide are usually peopled to excess, the rough, dirt roads of this area of Nicoya means that only the savviest travelers make the trek to these untrammeled beaches.

Costa Rica is home to more than 500,000 species, making this small country one of the richest in biodiversity on the planet. Costa Rica’s two coasts and its middle mountainous region contains numerous microclimates that allow a natural wealth in animal species. Nicoya Peninsula and Playa San Miguel hosts many wild creatures, and travelers there can see and hear a variety of parrots and monkeys, visit an outdoor butterfly farm and view whales and dolphins from the shore. From December to April, sea turtles nest at night on the beaches and visitors can assist local volunteers with hatchling releases. Ecotourism flourishes in Costa Rica’s provinces as the country is devoted to preserving and conserving its great natural beauty and rich biodiversity. The Cabo Blanco Nature Preserve can be enjoyed from San Miguel in a day trip down the peninsula.

Traveling to San Miguel from San Jose is either a short flight via commuter plane to Islita Airstrip with a short drive to Playa San Miguel, or a half-day excursion by bus or car on a picturesque drive that includes a ferry ride on the Golfa de Nicoya. While Playa San Miguel offers the best of pristine beachfront, nearby beach towns of Mal Pais and Samara provides shopping excursions and visits to other tourist destinations. Attractive inns around Playa San Miguel provide comfortable rooms or cabins with stunning vistas and excellent local and international cuisine.

Filed Under: Costa Rica, Featured, Nicoya, Playa San Miguel

Punta Islita

Nestled into the lush northwestern coastline of the Guanacaste province, on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, Punta Islita is part tropical playground, part secluded hideaway. This area, which originally hosted slash-and-burn agriculture as well as cattle ranching, now entices the senses with sweeping views of a picture-perfect coastline, crystal aqua waters, and imposing green mountains.

Visitors may wish to take to the hills for a discovery hike among the diverse flora and fauna. If you are on a late afternoon excursion, look for the howler monkeys which clamor about at that time of day. Jet skiing, horseback riding, fishing, and kayaking are also popular thrills for the active-minded in the area. A zip-line tour might be just the ticket for guests who feel the need for a unique excitement experience.

If you’d rather drench yourself in Punta Islita’s natural beauty, settle into a cradling chair on the volcanic sand beach in the protected bay, and quench yourself in the golden sun and shimmering sea. Far from any possibility of urban hustle and bustle, you will easily recharge both your body and spirit in Costa Rica’s tiny haven of paradise.

Should you find yourself craving a touch of nightlife, the village of Samara is close by. Nightclubs, bars and giftshops await anyone who needs a temporary jolt during their soothing stay in Punta Islita.

This location proudly bears juicy fresh fruits which should be sampled liberally in both your meals and creative drinks while you enjoy your vacation. Coconut, mango, passion fruit and tamarind are all classic Costa Rican tastes with exotic appearances and flavors to enhance your sense of being away from it all.

Punta Islita is a gracious host to area artists; paintings and mosaics happily dot the wealthy village itself. The area’s surrounding rainforests, cliffs, and azure water are surely an inspiration for these talented folk to create an homage to the island itself as well as the emotions it stirs up in those who immerse themselves in it.

The island is always ready for company, although some times of the year may suit travelers better than others. May through November brings warms rains, but December through April remains toasty and dry. The unassuming vibe of pure nature combines with Punta Islita’s unique luxury to offer an exquisite dream getaway.

Filed Under: Costa Rica, Featured, Nicoya, Playa Carrillo, Punta Islita, Samara

Playa Carrillo

Costa Rica is a land of unspoiled beauty, lush rainforests and picturesque beaches. One of the most beautiful beaches in the country if Playa Carrillo. Located on the Nicoya Peninsula in the province of Guanacaste, Playa Carrillo offers the quiet beauty and spectacular scenery that are increasingly hard to find in the country. Far removed from the crowding and bustle of other beaches in Costa Rica, Playa Carrillo is a hidden gem for travelers to the country. With its miles of golden sand, swaying palm trees and cool ocean breezes, Playa Carrillo is like no other beach on Earth.

Playa Carrillo is located in the Guanacaste province on the edge of the mighty Pacific Ocean. The beach is known for its stunning views of the ocean and rustic, isolated feel. It is the perfect destination for those looking to visit one of Costa Rica’s world-class beaches without having to deal with the overcrowding and high prices that typically accompany them.

Playa Carrillo is perfect for those looking for both relaxation and recreation. The beach’s crystal clear waters are perfect for swimming and water sports while its long strands of golden sand are ideal for sunbathers and those seeking a little solitude. Other recreational activities at Playa Carrillo include boating, fishing, hiking and sightseeing. The beach is perfect for taking a long stroll and watching the sun set. The area is a veritable tropical paradise, complete with palm trees and phenomenal views of the surrounding idyllic countryside.

Both Playa Carrillo and the surrounding region are home to many top-notch amenities. Visitors to the beach can stop by the neighboring town of Puerto Carrillo to see what it has to offer. Puerto Carrillo, a picturesque fishing village, is filled with a bevy of shops and restaurants as well as several hotels. These include the comfortable Hotel Esperanza and the Guanamar – Playa Carrillo Hotel, known for its spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding landscape. Other nearby sites of interest include Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, Tenorio Volcano National Park and the vibrant city of Liberia.

Playa Carrillo ranks among the best beaches in Costa Rica. With its spectacular seaside views, warm waters and unhurried atmosphere, it is truly a unique and unforgettable destination.

Filed Under: Costa Rica, Featured, Nicoya, Playa Carrillo

Playa Pelada

Playa Pelada is located in the Palyas de Nosara, in the province of Guanacaste on the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. This is the Pacific Coast area, comprising the beach communities of Playa Guiones, Playa Pelada and the pueblo of Nosara. The area was home to the Choretaga Indians and today the beach towns are a family oriented area where local fisherman, yoga enthusiasts, eco tourists, ex-pats, and world class surfers all enjoy the natural environment and beautiful beaches.

The pueblo of Nosara is actually about 6 km inland, with some small hotels and restaurants. Most of the larger hotels and homes lie along the beaches. There is a landing strip in Nosara for daily flights to San Jose. A large expatriate community lives along the beaches, started in 1962 by a US citizen who bought an extensive amount of land along the coast and started to develop it for residential lots. Later, investors bought the land and the NCA (Nosara Civic Association) was created as the the property owners association dedicated to protecting the tranquil environment of Nosara and keeping it free from pollution and over development. Protected forest covers about one half of the area and no logging or hunting is allowed.

The beach at Playa Pelada is north of Playa Guiones. It is a lovely crescent-shaped beach with large trees for shade, nice shelling, interesting tide pools to explore, and a tide activated blow hole at the southern end of the beach. The spray is highest when the tide is transitioning. At the northern end of the beach are tide pools and caves and a trail that goes up into the cliffs of Punta Nosera.The beach at Playa Pelada is particularly good for swimming as there is an offshore reef, creating a protected bay.

Playa Pelada has two beachside bars that are favorite places for locals and visitors alike to enjoy the sunset. Shelling, walking, swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the cliffs, rocks, caves and tide pools are the primary activities on this beach. The general area also has a good number of hotels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals, as well as a yoga spa and some good restaurants.

The primary attractions of the area involve nature and the beautiful environment of Nosara. On the south side of Rio Nosara there is a 50 hectacre private nature reserve with an abundance of animals. Tours are available by reservation.

This area also has lagoons and mangroves making it an ideal habitat for kayaking and adventure tours as well as fishing. Boat, kayak, and sport fishing tours are all readily available. The best surfing beaches are Playa Guiones and Playa Nosara and there are several surfing schools.

Yoga and spa services are available with an emphasis on health and spiritual rejuvenation. Horseback riding tours along the beaches or general countryside are also popular. A remarkable sight is the nesting turtles that arrive on the beaches from July through December.

Filed Under: Costa Rica, Featured, Nicoya, Playa Pelada

Playa Guiones

Playa Guiones is one of the three beaches in Nosara and is one of the best places in all of Costa Rica to surf. It is five miles of immaculate white sand and is a favorite spot for many to watch the sunset. Nosara began as a development of a US landowner called the Nosara Project. It is currently managed by the Nosara Civic Association who tries to balance concerns of protecting the environment with development. Nosara is located in the far northwest region of Costa Rica by the Pacific Ocean.

If you want to learn how to surf, take lessons to improve your skills, or just surf away from the crowds, then Playa Guiones is for you. The waves are almost always shoulder high or more so this has become a choice destination for serious surfers. During low tide the waves are quicker and great for short boarders.

There are several businesses in Playa Guiones that rent boards and offer lessons. Whether you want someone to just show you the basics or you want to work on your technique with a certified surf guru, you can find it here. It’s the only location in Costa Rica where you can have video coaching from experienced and certified coaches. The beach is so perfect for surfing that the National Surf Tournament has been held there for the last seven years and is scheduled again for May of 2012.

Another water sport that many enjoy is snorkeling. In Playa Guiones you can rent equipment for snorkeling from some of the surf shops there.

Fishing is great in Playa Guiones and because of an underwater ledge close to the shore you don’t have to boat very far to find deep water fish. You can fish from the shore or rent a boat in either Playa Pelada or Playa Garza. Types of fish here include mahi-mahi, marlin, rooster fish, sailfish, sea bass, snapper, and yellow fin tuna.

Playa Guinones is also known for its retreats and yoga classes. Offerings include private and public classes and even sessions where you can learn to be a yogi.

Other activities include horseback riding on the beach or in the jungle, boating, or kayaking. Energetic travelers might want to try the zip line that is said to be the longest anywhere. Another fun activity is renting an ATV to see all the sights that Playa Guinones and Nosara have to offer.

Filed Under: Costa Rica, Featured, Nicoya, Playa Guiones

MalPais

MalPais, a small coastal village known as a surfer’s paradise is located on the southeastern point of the Nicoya Peninsula. With constant good waves and great beaches, Malpais is becoming known as a great tourist destination to just kickback and relax. Not only for surfers, beach lovers are finding the long beaches a great place for exploring. Lush tropical forest coming right down to the white sandy beaches giving way to rock and shell strewn beaches and coves gives one many options.

On the southern end of Malpais one will find the Cabo Blanco “Absolute” National Reserve, with lush tropical vegetation and rock formations lining the coast, tourist and locals alike find that the village of MalPais has some of the best beaches of all Costa Rica. With un crowded beaches and tranquil atmosphere, MalPais is becoming known as the place to get away from the crowds.

With consistent waves this is not only a place for expert surfers but also the beginner, kite surfing and boogie boarders also find MalPais a great playground in the sun. Scuba divers and snorkelers will find the rock cropping’s make for great underwater scenery.

Horseback ridding along the beaches or nature trails and canopy tours will give one many options in spending time in MalPais.

Quiet secluded coves surrounded by tide pools and reefs make a great place to have a romantic setting for watching the unbelievable sunsets as the sun falls into the Pacific Ocean.

One will not find tourist shops and other tourist trappings, if looking for these, one will travel the short distance to Santa Teresa just to the north of MalPais. Great weather year round, unbelievable beaches and affordable accommodations, with hotels and restaurants ranging from rustic and local to high end. MalPais has become a great destination to relax.

Getting to Malpais one has 2 options, flying into to Tambor airport with direct flights from San Jose and then taking a taxi to MalPais. Or one can drive to Puntarenas and take the ferry to Parquera and then drive southeast through the town of Cobano and then onto MalPais.

Filed Under: Costa Rica, Featured, MalPais, Nicoya

Tortuga Island

Tortuga Island is located just off the southeastern shore of the Nicoya Peninsula in the Golfo de Nicoya. The island is named after the Spanish word for turtle. Tortuga Island is actually made up of 2 uninhabited islands that lie in front of the Curu Wildlife Refuge. Clear turquoise water, white powdery sand beaches lined with palm trees has made Tortuga Island one of the most thought after and popular destination in Costa Rica. The turquoise waters make for unforgettable scuba diving, snorkeling and just a lazy day of swimming.

The only way to reach the Tortuga Islands is by a tour, with most tourists coming from San Jose to the port city of Puntarenas and then taking one of many boats to the Islands, tours can also be arranged from Montezuma and Tambor. Since the only way to get to the Tortuga Islands is by tour groups, weekends and during the winter months can find the island paradise a little crowded. Every so often a cruise ship will pull into the waters of Tortuga Island. Tour operators will usually supply snorkeling equipment and will include a lunch on the beach.

Filed Under: Costa Rica, Featured, Montezuma, Nicoya, Puntarenas, Tortuga Island

Cascada West Of Montezuma

A 10 min walk along the beach to the west of Montezuma, one will come to a mystical rock garden. Locals and tourist alike have placed rocks and driftwood into this area giving it the mystical appeal. To the left of the rock garden you will find a small swimming hole with a entrance to a small valley with the river running through. A great hike with large boulders and a few waterfalls, nowhere in size of Cascada de Montezuma but the hike is worth the trip for the scenery and wildlife.

Filed Under: Costa Rica, Featured, Montezuma, Montezuma Water Fall, Nicoya

Cascada de Montezuma

A 5 minute walk east from the center of Montezuma you will find the path leading to the Cascada de Montezuma. Not hard to find with being next to the Hotel Cascada and in front of Amor de Mar. Cascada de Montezuma is made up of three separate waterfalls, a short 2 min walk will bring you to the first low rumbling waterfall and swimming hole. 20 minutes farther up through the valley you will come to the main water fall and large swimming hole. There is a trail that will take you to the top of the large waterfall, there you will find 2 large swimming holes, one with a swinging rope as well as 1 more low waterfalls. The area of Cascade de Montezuma is filled with wildlife. The amount of water coming over the falls will vary depending on the season.

Filed Under: Costa Rica, Featured, Montezuma, Montezuma Water Fall, Nicoya, Waterfalls

Montezuma

Located on the southern shore of the Nicoya Peninsula is the seaside village of Montezuma. The village has a carefree laid back atmosphere which has attracted many young foreigners over the years. Montezuma has been found to be a great place to chill and enjoy the quiet tranquil atmosphere, with many local flavored shops and restaurants adding to this bohemian lifestyle. Backpackers and eco tourist have found the rock strewn beaches, rivers as well as the scenic waterfalls make this a must see destination in Costa Rica.

Montezuma is not the place for tourist looking to be pampered at an all inclusive resort. With a laid back atmosphere Montezuma has attracted the young and budget minded crowds. Many small bed and breakfast places as well as hotels offer a wide range of inexpensive rooms. The village offers no bank or post office, one would need to travel to the city of Cobano , about a 20 min.. drive inland depending on road conditions. The village seems to come alive as the sun sets, with many locals, expats as well as tourist walking the streets of Montezuma checking out the many restaurants and bars, handicrafts or just sitting, relaxing and people watching.
Montezuma is known for its beaches and climbing cliffs abundant with tropical vegetation just seeming to flow into the warm waters of the Pacific. Many small coves with rock outcroppings make this beach lover’s heaven with small palm tree lined white sand beaches to the long open expanse of Playa Grande. A short 20 min walk out of town will bring you to the Cascades of Montezuma, adventurers and eco tourist will find the 3 falls of Cascade of Montezuma some of the best and scenic in Costa Rica. Large pools of fresh water can find many tourist and locals swimming and jumping from the rocks adjoining the falls.

A 30 minute walk north along the shore leaving the village of Montezuma one will find a river with a mystic rook garden at the entrance of a canyon leading to another waterfall. Another 10 minutes up the coast will bring you to Playa Grande, a long palm tree lined beach sitting along the Nicolas Wesberg Absolute Reserve. Playa Grande is also a favorite among surfers and boogie boarders. For the more adventures, a 2 hour hike north along the coast will take you to El Chorro, a pictures waterfall just tumbling into the Pacific Ocean. Zip line tours as well as day trips for snorkeling and scuba diving on Tortuga Island can be arranged with one of the vendors in Montezuma. A 20 minute drive south from the village one will find the entrance to the Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve.

Reaching Montezuma by car one will need to take the ferry from Puntarenas to Parquera then to the city of Cabano and then Montezuma. If one wishes to fly there is the small airport in Tambor with daily flights to San Jose. A visit to Montezuma is definitely worth the trip

Filed Under: Costa Rica, Featured, Montezuma, Montezuma Water Fall, Nicoya, San Jose

Samara

Half way down the west coast of the Nicoya Peninsula is a small village called Samara, located on a long sweeping half moon shape bay lined with palm trees. Samara has been a favorite with the local Costa Ricans and for years has been a traditional holiday or weekend getaway for the Ticos. Up until recently not to popular with American and Canadian tourist, the village usually has been a favorite for foreign tourist from Europe.

Samara’s small town or village is located along 2 main roads , one running along the beach the other coming down from the hills surrounding Samara and ending right on the beach. Most of the restaurants and small hotels are still run by local Costa Ricans, giving the village its authentic feel.

The waters off of Samara beach are shallow with small waves due to a protective coral reef, making swimming a favorite for families and adults as well. The protective reef is a favorite among snorkelers and scuba divers, adjacent to the reef and almost in the middle of the bay is Chora Island. A favorite pastime is taking one of the colorful kayaks out to Chora Island and to the coral Reef. Water sports abound in Samara, with kayaking, windsurfing, Kite surfing or surfing for beginners on the small waves. For larger waves one only needs to travel 5 miles south to Playa Camaronal. Horseback riding is also a favorite in Samara, whether just along the beach with a short hop over the bluff to the south a then on to the beach at Carrillo or inland to the waterfalls at Tobacco with its 3 falls and swimming holes.

Samara with its very laid back and tranquil atmosphere has made this a destination spot for those just wanting to escape. One can find a wide range of moderately priced rooms, from simple cabinas to small hotels or bed and breakfast hotels on the beach or in the hills surrounding Samara.

The weather in Samara follows the typical dry season from November to May and the rainy season from June to October. Yet this part of the Nicoya Peninsula does not see the amount of rainfall as the lower Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

As Samara is located farther up the Nicoya Peninsula there are several ways to get to this seaside village. A 4 and ½ hour drive from San Jose or 2 hours by car from Liberia International Airport, buses are also available to San Jose taking around 5 hours. Flying time to Samara from San Jose is 40 minutes with one of the small commuter flights.

Filed Under: Costa Rica, Featured, Nicoya, Samara