Nicoya is a travel destination known for its white sand beaches and as a surfers paradise. An increasingly popular travel destination, Nicoya offers some terrific centers for surfing, sport fishing, scuba diving and sea kayaking. Well-known places like Playa Tamarindo and Playa Flamingo attract international tourism. In addition, there are some great national parks and reserves where turtles are the highlight.

Travel highlights in the Nicoya Peninsula

• Guaitil: A charming village where ancient pottery making traditions have been preserved by the local people.
• Tempisque Safari Ecological Adventure: A remote wildlife rescue center and zoo, where visitors can take a three-hour guided tour with cart pulled by water buffalo.
• Playa Grande Marine Turtle National Park: A popular surfing destination, the reason for visitors to go here is to see the endangered leatherback turtle lay eggs.
• Ostional National Wildlife Refuge: One of the world's most important turtle hatcheries, this remote site offers visitors the opportunity to see Ridley turtles lay eggs on mass.
• Nosara: Gorgeous beaches, great surf, lots of wildlife, and a good choice of accommodation.
• Boating to Isla Tortuga: Stunning beaches, nature trails, lovely clean waters and large selection of water sports.
• Cabo Blanco Absolute Wildlife Reserve: A remote reserve with opportunities to view wildlife. Best in the area.
• Santa Teresa and Malpais: These gateway communities are a great place to play in the sun or ride the waves.
• Barra Honda National Park: This national parks protects 2,300-hectares (5,600-acres) of caves and a visit provides a delightful variation to a visitor's trip.

Playa del Coco

Only 40-km (25 mi) west of Liberia, this beach is easily accessible from the international airport.

Travel activities in the Nicoya Peninsula

• snorkeling
• diving
• swimming
• sport fishing
• sailing
• kayaking

There is no surfing in Playa del Coco, but this is a good base for Costa Rica's most legendary surf destination Witch's Rock and Ollie's Point which are located in Santa Rosa National Park and is reachable by boat.

There are a variety of hotels including a couple of high end resorts. Lonely Planet's Costa Rica has a good listing of hotels from budget through to the top end price range.

Playa Hermosa

A 2-km (1.25 mi) grey-sand beach, Hermosa is peaceful area not far from Coco. It has several hotels and restaurants.

Playa Ocotal

There isn't a town here, but it's only 4-km (2.5 mi) to Playa del Coco and offers a small beach with tidal pools. Visitors can rent a privately owned villa.

Playa Conchal

Playa Conchal is north of Tamarindo and this beach is regarded as Costa Rica's most beautiful beach. The beach is named for the numerous shells that wash up on the beach. The ocean water is a lovely blue color. This is a great spot for snorkeling.

Travel activities in the Nicoya Peninsula

• Golfing at the championship golf course which is situated on a 285-hectare (705-acres) property is a highlight of this destination.
• Snorkeling in the gorgeous blue ocean.

Playa Grande

An undeveloped wilderness beach, Playa Grande is a part of the Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas de Guanacaste which does not allow beachfront development.

Leatherback turtles nest at this beach and the nearby accommodations are set back to ensure that light does not impact the turtles.

This beach has powerful waves and is frequented by surfers.

There isn't much nightlife here, so most visitors stay in nearby Tamarindo.

There are no buses to Playa Grande. You'll need to rent a car or take a boat from Tamarindo.

Playa Grande Marine Turtle National Park

In 1991, Playa Grande and adjacent land (380-hectares/940-acres) were designated by the government as a national park to preserve one of the most important nesting grounds in the world for leatherback turtles.

The leatherback is critically endangered from over-hunting and lack of protected nesting sights. This sight used to have over 1,000 turtles arrive to nest but now the numbers are steadfastly declining to less than 50.

This beach is closed at night to allow for these turtles to nest but you can access the beach during the day. There are nighttime turtle tours with guides for those who are interested.

Playa Tamarindo

Tamarindo is a holiday destination for North Americans and Europeans. This beach resort offers great resorts, shopping, diving, golfing, mountain biking, sailing, sport fishing and surfing. There are medium-sized breaks for surfing and this is a popular travel destination to learn.

A variety of hotels and restaurants from budget to high end are available. There is even a nice quality hostel for surfers looking for comfort and like-minded companionship.

This town has an active nightlife and the music pumps loudly from the bars.

Tamarindo is two hours from Libería by bus and six hours from San Jose.

Playas Avellana & Negra

Popular surfing beaches, Playa Avellana & Negra are famous because of the surf classic Endless Summer II. These beaches are 15-km (9 mi) south of Tamarindo and are uncrowded.

There are powerful riptides at these beaches and inexperienced swimmers need to be aware that these riptides can carry a swimmer to sea at a about 10kmh (6mph). It's impossible to swim back directly to shore.

These two beaches have several budget lodging options. There are good restaurants and surf schools, as well.

Playa Junquillal

Junquillal is a 2-km (1.25 mi) wide grey-sand wilderness beach that is stunning and deserted. The surf is high and the riptide is fierce.

From July to November, the Olive Ridley turtle nests at this beach.

There are some accommodation and eating options spread out along the beach.

Santa Cruz

A town that doesn't have much interest for travelers, visitors can buy supplies and change buses here. There are several good accommodation and eating options in this town.

Buses depart

Liberia: 1-1/2 hour trip, departs every 30 minutes, 5:30am to 7:30pm.
Nicoya: one hour trip, departs every 30 minutes, 6am to 7:30pm.
San Jose: 4-1/2 hour trip, departs from 3am to 5pm. There are two buses — Empresas Alfaro and Tralapa.

Local buses in Nicoya

Bahia Potrero: 1-1/4 hours trip, departs every to three hours.
Playa Brasilito: one hour trip, departs in the morning and afternoon.
Playa Flamingo: one hour trip, departs in the afternoon.
Playa Junquillal: 1-1/2 hour trip, departs in the afternoon.
Playa Tamarindo: 1-1/2 hour trip, departs every two to three hours.

Guaiti­l

Guaiti­l is a small village just 12-km (7.5 mi) east of Santa Cruz and specializes in an age-old craft of pottery making. The people who live here are descendants of Chorotegas, which was a native people who made a unique pottery of red or black or ocher.

Travelers can find displays of these ceramics along the roadsides around this village. There are several artists' cooperatives that use the process of their ancestors, including polishing the pottery with grinding stones. Ask a local for a tour of their kiln. There's also a children's cooperative where visitors can purchase crafts of the local youth.

Nicoya

Nicoya is one of the most pleasant cities in the region and the bright building and bustling streets make it a great place to travel to. However, it's used mostly as a travel hub to get to the coast.

Travelers can make this a base to visit Barra Honda National Park.

There are banking services and several pleasant sights, including a small cultural exhibit at La Casa de la Cultura.

Tempisque Safari Ecological Adventure

Past the village of Guaitil on the way to Palo Verde National Park, this facility is hidden about 1-km (0.6 mi) beyond Rosario. There's a crocodile lagoon here that's the real thing. This working cattle ranch rescues animals and is also a breeding center. Some of the animals here include:

• monkeys
• tapirs
• jaguarundis
• margays
• peccaries
• deers
• bison

It's remote location makes it untouristy and interesting. Three hour tours are offered and cost around US$50. Visitors can look forward to a cart pulled by water buffalo as transport for this tour.

Barra Honda National Park

Barra Honda National Park contains 2,295-hectares (5,600-acres) and protects and an underground system of more than 40 caves. Nineteen of these caves have been explored. Pre-Columbian remains have been found in several of the caves.

The caves reach as deep as 200m (660 ft). This cave is intact and not very commercial. As a result the speleothems — stalagmites and stalactites — are not broken and are stunning.

There is a cave with regular access to the public and is 62m (205 ft) deep. To explore other caves, visitors are required to hire a guide. Guides are members of an association and their services can be obtained through the national park offices in Nicoya. Visitors descend via ropes and ladders.

The caves are only open during dry season.

Some of the underground wildlife includes:

• bats
• fish
• albino salamanders
• a variety of invertebrates

Wildlife found on the surface includes:

• howler and white-faced monkeys
• coatis
• deer
• skunks
• anteaters
• armadillos

Hiking in Barra Honda National Park

The hills of Barra Honda National Park have several trails for hiking. Maps are available at the ranger station.

Nosara & area

There are a few hundred foreigners living in the area and that's probably because the area is beautiful. There are attractive beaches near this small village that is surrounded by vegetation. Travelers will find plenty of wildlife and birds and little logging.

There are three distinct beaches: Playa Nosara, Playa Pelada and Playa Guiones. The village is located 5-km (3 mi) inland from the beaches. Nosara does not have a bank.

Nosara & area travel activities

• Surfing on Playa Guioines is terrific and this beach has the best break in the central peninsula.
• Turtle watching is a must for wildlife lovers. The Olive Ridley sea turtle nests from July to November at the Refugio National De Fauna Silvestre Ostional.
• Yoga in the hills near Playa Guiones at the Nosara Yoga Institute.

There are a considerable number of lodging and restaurant options in this area making Nosara a great vacation and travel destination.

This is a relaxed village that is undergoing some face-lifts to give it more appeal. There are a number of good quality accommodations and food options which makes this a great place to vacation.

The village has a bank, church, laundry facilities and email services.

Travel activities in Samara

• Biking: rent bikes from Ciclo Samara or Cabinas Arenas.
• Flying: Ultralight flying offered by Flying Crocodile.
• Zip lining: canopy tours on the eastern outskirts of town.
• Swimming: beach is safe for swimming
• Snorkeling & diving: the coral reef in the center of the bay is good for diving and snorkeling.
• Surfing: good for beginner surfing but may be boring for experienced surfers.
• Learning Spanish: Centro de Idiomas Intercultura has a campus on the beach.
• Adventure touring: two companies offer excursions including horseback riding, kayaking, turtle-watching, snorkeling, and dolphin-watching.

This beach lies about 35-km (21 mi) southwest of Nicoya on a well-paved road. Buses to San Jose depart from the main road at 4:30am and 8:30am.

Traroc buses to Nicoya take two hours and depart from the pulperia by the soccer field at 5:30am, 7am, 8:45am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 4:30pm.

Ostional National Wildlife Refuge

This wildlife refuge extends from Punta India in the north to Playa Guiones in the south and includes Playa Nosara and Playa Ostional. It was created in 1992 and contains 248-hectares (600-acres) of land.

The refuge was created to protect the Olive Ridley sea turtle, which comes to nest from July to November. The nesting season peaks in August to October. This is one of the main nesting grounds in Costa Rica.

A small species of sea turtle, the Olive Ridley weighs up to 45kg (115 lbs). Although endangered, there are a few beaches in the world where the Olive Ridley nests en mass up to 1,000 at a time. Scientists believe that this behavior is meant to overwhelm predators which may help the species survive.

The conservation plan allows the locals to harvest the first laying of eggs. Because the first laying of eggs is often trampled by waves or subsequent turtles coming to nest, the locals harvest these first batches. The livelihood of the community is maintained by this harvesting. The local villagers are vigilant about poaching eggs to prevent infringing on their enterprise.

Near the southeastern edge, there is a small mangrove swamp where visitors can find good bird watching.

Playa Samara

Nearly an hour south of Nosara, Playa Samara offers a beautiful nearly-perfect beach and a good reef for snorkeling. The crescent-shaped strip of sand is one of the most beloved beaches in Costa Rica. The reef protects the beach from strong waves and makes it safe for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. The waters are shallow and crystal clear.

On the south side of town, travelers will find the best location on the beach.

Playa Samara is reasonably developed and offers services and accommodations, including a bank and Internet.

Travel activities

The local hotels can arrange the following:

• Canopy tours with Wignuts at 506.656.0153
• Kayaking trips with Tao Tigre at 506.2656.1060
• Snorkeling & diving with Pura Vida Dive at 506.398.8655
• Renting a bike in town at Ciclo Samara.
• Horseback riding with Carrillo Tours.
• Flying an ultralight plane with Flying Crocodile.
• Learning Spanish with Centro de Idiomas Intercultura
• Sea life viewing with Tio Tigre at 506.2656.1060.

Playa Carrillo

Four kilometers (2.5 mi) southeast of Samara, this smaller, quieter and less-developed spot is clean and has a perfect tropical beach. It is nearly perfect with white sand and is also protected by an offshore reef. The town is on a hillside above the beach.

Travel activities in Playa Carrillo

• Surfing at Playa Carrillo isn't brilliant but is possible during high tide.
• Sport fishing outfitters offer full-day offshore excursions. There are two outfitters in Playa Carrillo.

There are accommodations and restaurants about 10-minutes by foot from the beach.

Playas San Miguel & Coyote

Playas San Miguel & Coyote are wilderness beaches that are rarely visited and beautiful. The beaches lack reliable public transport and have few visitors, however, about 4-km (2.5 mi) inland there is a village with modest services.

Southeastern peninsula

Playa Naranjo

This tiny village, next to the ferry terminal, consists of a few small stores and hotels to cater to travelers. There is no reason to hang around this village unless you get stuck here for some reason. It's a hub for ferry crossings to Puntarenas.

Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Curi

A small refuge (84-hectares/207-acres) that is privately owned belongs to a larger are of reserves. Located 6-km (3.75 mi) south of Pacquera, it has following landscapes:

• Dry tropical forest
• Semi-deciduous forest
• Five types of mangrove swamp

Coastline is home to secluded coves and white-sand beaches that are perfect for snorkeling, swimming, kayaking and whale sightings. Camping is not allowed but there are six cabins for rent.

This reserve has an entry fee which allows visitors to hike the trails. Other activities inside the reserve include snorkeling or kayaking. Visitors can also hire a guide and increase the chances of spotting wildlife.

Boating to Isla Tortuga

Located 3-km (1.8 mi) offshore from Curi, this 320-hectare (800-acre) island is incredibly beautiful; it's forested and has lovely white-sand beaches. The trip to the island is scenic. A boat cruise to the island provides visitors the opportunity to spot manta rays and/or whales along the way. And, near the island whale sharks are frequently spotted.

There are numerous boat tour suppliers to this island and these operators offer lunch plus options for sea kayaking, snorkeling and hiking while on the island.

Playas Tambor & Pochote

The area surrounding these two grey-sand beaches is slowly being developed for a resort destination. However, it has been a slow process and the area still offers good eco-tourism options and good choices for accommodations. The beach is 14-km (9 mi) south of Pacquera and is 8-km (5 mi) long.

Travel activities in Playa Tambor

• Swimming: safe beaches for swimming.
• Whale sightings: occasional whale sightings in the area.
• Kayaking: the gentle water are conducive to kayaking.
• Golfing: Playa Tambor is home to one of Costa Rica's top golf resorts, Los Delfines Golf Club.

Air & hotel packages are available to this area and most of these include transfers from the international airport in Liberia.

Montezuma

Montezuma used to be a laid-back hippie destination that required an effort to reach. The atmosphere was very laid-back. It's still a charming village but it is no longer a hippie-only travel destination.

There are a variety of tourists who visit Montezuma and, as a result there are new services including expensive hotels and trendy bars.

Montezuma has bank, laundry services, and Internet access.

Travel activities in Montezuma

• Swimming with caution as there are strong rip tides in the area.
• Beach-combing northeast of town, the beaches are isolated and pristine.
• Snorkeling during low tide. There are boat with snorkeling tours to Isla Tortuga.
• Yoga classes are offered at an open-air studio.
• Hiking at a private conservation area.
• Horseback riding to the same conservation area.
• Biking trips can be arrange through tour operators.
• ATVing is also available.

Montezuma offers a good variety of budget and moderately priced accommodation. There are also a number of good affordable restaurants. There are a few spots offering nightlife.

Santa Teresa & Mal Pais

Famous for its consistent waves, this area has beaches and villages that appear to becoming one big city. There is widespread development of the beachfront and this area is changing rapidly. This is a surf area and offers a surf culture and lifestyle.

Travel activities

• Surfing is the big attraction at the three local beaches.

Sleeping & eating in Santa Teresa

A number of budget and moderately priced accommodations are found throughout the area. Food is reasonably priced.

There are buses and taxis that service this area.

Cabo Blanco Absolute Wildlife Reserve

The oldest protected wilderness area, Reserva Natural Cabo Blanco is located about 11-km (7 mi) south of Montezuma. It is comprised of 1,272-hectares (3,100-acres) and is surrounded by 1,700-hectares of ocean on the southern tip of the Peninsula de Nicoya.

This reserve was established by Karen Mogensen and Olof Wessberg in 1963; they were the first conservationists in Costa Rica. During the 1950s, this couple was instrumental in convincing the Costa Rican government to conserve land and helped to get the government to establish a national park system.

In 1975, Olof was tragically murdered and Karen continued to work for the conservation of Costa Rica's ecology until her death in 1994.

Cabo Blanco is called an absolute nature reserve because prior to the 1980s, visitors were not allowed to enter the reserve. Since the 1980s, the reserve is open to visitors on a limited number of trails.

Travel activities in Cabo Blanco

• Wildlife watching is a good bet.
• Bird watching is very good and there are brown boobies nesting in this reserve.
• Hiking on the Swedish trail and Danish trail leads to a wilderness beach.

There's a park ranger station where visitors can check on trail conditions and get maps.

More travel info on destinations in Costa Rica

Learn more about other travel destinations in Costa Rica.