Nicoya Costa Rica

Nicoya is the largest peninsula in Costa Rica.  The Gulf of Nicoya and the estuary of Tempisque separate it from the Costa Rican mainland.  The peninsula is home to some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches. Nicoya is divided into two provinces- Guanacaste to the north and Puntarenes in the south.  The easiest way to travel to Nicoya is to fly into the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia. The Peninsula is approximately 40 miles wide at its widest place and is nearly 75 miles long.  The most noted feature of the Peninsula de Nicoya are the beaches. The beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula are legendary- with their vast expanses of white sand and dramatic vistas.  Charming small villages can be found up and down the coast- each with its own distinct personality. All things having to do with the water such as surfing, fishing, snorkeling and diving define much of the character of the individual villages.

Surfers have discovered most areas in Nicoya as the Pacific side of Costa Rica presents one of the best stretches of surfing coastline in the world. Many surfers from all over the world have made their homes here and a thriving surf community can be found.

The Nicoya Peninsula has two distinct seasons- a dry season that lasts from the end of November until May and a green season that begins slowly and gets maximum rainfall in the months of September thru November. Water sports such as surfing, fishing, snorkeling and diving define much of the character of the villages. The Nicoya Peninsula is known for its great weather-the area enjoys a temperate warm climate year round. It is, however, important to remember that during the rainy season, some roads will be impassable and the ferries between Puntaneres and Paquera are the best bets for getting to the beaches. Typically it can take most of the day to get to the beaches of Nicoya from San Jose.  Just like with the rest of Costa Rica, the area of Nicoya is home to some amazing animal and plant species. Many different eco-systems provide habitat for numerous plant species and animals. It is easy to find beautiful turtle beaches, birding hotspots and many nature and wildlife reserves.
Nicoya is the perfect place to go for rest and relaxation.  The spectacular, secluded beaches, the world-class golf courses, the natural beauty of this area- all make it a must place to visit on your Costa Rican vacation!

NICOYA COSTA RICA

• 1) Nosara
• 2) Samara
• 3) Playa Islita
• 4) Mal Pais
• 5) Montezuma
• 6) Playa Tambor
• 7) Puntarenas
• Complete Nicoya map

Mal Pais used to be a sleepy, remote fishing village that has earned the reputation as THE place to surf in Costa Rica. Forest spills down to the shore where rocky outcroppings- with strangely shaped volcanic formations- alternate with sandy beaches made up entirely of tiny shells. The rugged coastline and the amazing grey sand beaches have made the area famous among surfers and others looking for a remote area for an amazing beach vacation.

Playa Samara is a large half moon bay shaded by old growth trees and palms.  A shallow half moon bay protects a coral reef with a perfect pale sand beach- perfect for soaking up the sun and beach life in laid back, casual atmosphere.  A favorite of native Costa Ricans, Playa Samara is a perfect family destination and is increasingly popular with European visitors.  The offshore coral reef is one of the few that exist in this part of Costa Rica.

Nosara

Nosara is a quiet, tranquil beach community, which has become one of the oldest expatriate communities in Costa Rica.  The community of Nosara also has the honor of having passed one of the first preservation acts over twenty years ago– over half of the land in Nosara is protected forest where no logging can take place.  The ideal area for nature lovers, the amazing Nosara Biological Reserve is a gem in the Costa Rican National Park system.

At Playa Islita leatherback and hawksbill turtles nest during the months of October and November.   The tidal pools that are formed along the bay are home to a myriad of brightly colored fish.  The remoteness of Playa Islita make it an ideal location for getting away from it all in a spectacular setting!

Montezuma is located in the southern portion of the Nicoya Peninsula. The influx of visitors over the years has established a thriving community of artists, musicians and bohemians from all over the world.  The area of Montezuma offers beautiful beaches, amazing waterfalls and idyllic surf spots.  Several waterfalls are easily reached within easy walking distance of the center of town. A long time favorite of backpackers and travelers on a budget- Montezuma has a lot to offer all visitors. 

Playa Tambor is the perfect Nicoya destination for a family vacation with children.  The water is shallow and perfect for swimming. The beach at Tambor is easy to access by car, though Tambor does offer an airport with daily flights to San Jose.  Several excellent parks, including the Reserve at Curu where you can see a plethora of wildlife, are in the Tambor valley and offer a great day trip.  A short boat trip away is the Islas Tortugas, a tropical island paradise with lots of activities for visitors to enjoy. 

The port of Puntaneres has been important to Costa Rica for many years.  First settled by the Spanish in the 1500’s ,  Puntarenas remained a coffee export location until way into the late 1800’s. The town of Puntarenas occupies a narrow three mile peninsula which remains the main gateway to the beaches of the southern Nicoya Peninsula.