At a glance
- From Santa Teresa
- About 14 km, 35–40 minutes by car via Cóbano (paved from Cóbano, with a steep hill down into town)
- From the airports
- Cóbano airport (ACO): 10–15 minutes. San José airport (SJO): about 5–6 hours via the Puntarenas–Paquera ferry. Liberia airport (LIR): about 4½–5½ hours by road
- Swimming
- The main beach is rocky with strong waves, so be careful. Calmer options: the waterfall pools, tide pools at low tide, and a boat day to Isla Tortuga
- Best for
- Couples, budget-conscious travelers, and families with older kids who can handle the river walk to the falls
- Facilities
- Small hotels, restaurants and a supermarket in the village. No ATM: banks, pharmacies and the clinic are in Cóbano, about 15 minutes away
- Getting there
- By car or taxi from Santa Teresa; by water taxi from Jacó; or fly to Cóbano airport (ACO)
- Surf
- Beginner lessons at Playa Grande, 3–5 km north; the main beach isn't a surf beach
Who is Montezuma for?
Montezuma suits couples who want a slower, more bohemian night or two, budget-conscious travelers (it's generally cheaper than Santa Teresa), and families with older kids who'll enjoy the waterfall walk and a boat day to Isla Tortuga. It's a few streets of small hotels, restaurants and shops, and you can walk from one end to the other in about 15 minutes.
It's less suited to families with toddlers who want a gentle swimming beach, and to anyone who wants a big resort. For calm water, the Gulf beaches around Tambor and Curú are 30 minutes up the coast. For design hotels and a livelier food scene, stay in Santa Teresa and visit Montezuma for the day: see where to stay in Santa Teresa.
What are the beaches like?
The beach in front of town is pretty, with pale sand, rocks and shade under the palms, but it isn't the best for swimming. The waves can be strong and the shore is rocky, and in February the wind and currents pick up. Most Costa Rican beaches have no lifeguards, so swim only on calm days and stay close to shore.
- Tide pools. At low tide the volcanic rocks along the shore hold pools and small coves, and you can walk for miles along the coast.
- Playa Grande. A long, jungle-backed beach 3–5 km north of town, about a 45-minute walk along the sand and a forest trail. It's the local beginner surf-lesson beach, so treat it as open ocean.
- South toward Cabuya. Quieter stretches of sand and rock run south past Playa Las Manchas and Los Cedros toward Cabuya.
- Turtle hatchery. Sea turtles nest on Playa Montezuma, and the conservation group ASVO releases hatchlings in season, often in the late afternoon.
How do you visit the Montezuma waterfalls safely?
Montezuma's waterfalls are three cascades, one above the other. The lower fall is the tallest, about 24 m (80 ft), with a big pool at the bottom. There are two ways in:
| Route | Where it starts | Time | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverbed trail (lower fall) | Parking just past the bridge over the Río Montezuma, about 0.3 mi (0.5 km) south of town | About 20 minutes | You wade the river and scramble over slippery rocks to the lower pool. No entrance fee; the parking lots charge a small fee. |
| Canopy trail (upper falls) | Sun Trails, up the hill past Hotel Amor de Mar | About 20 minutes | A forest trail and hanging bridges down to the upper pools, for a small per-person fee. |
Three rules keep the day a good one:
- Don't jump or climb from the top of the falls. People have died at Montezuma, including jumping from the middle fall, and the nearest hospital is hours away.
- Wear water shoes or hiking sandals with grip, not flip-flops. The river rocks are slick.
- Check the river. In the rainy season the water rises quickly after heavy rain; don't go up if it's high or brown. In the dry season the flow is low and the pool can be murky.
Insider tip: I send families with older kids up the canopy-trail side to the upper pools: it's a forest trail rather than a boulder scramble. The top pool is small and calm. Go in the morning, before the day-trippers arrive, and make one family rule before you set off: nobody jumps.
Boat trips: Isla Tortuga and the water taxi to Jacó
Montezuma is where most southern Nicoya boat trips start. The classic is a full day at Isla Tortuga, an island in the Gulf of Nicoya with a white-sand beach and calm, clear water. Tours run about 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with roughly 50 minutes on the boat each way, snorkel gear and a barbecue lunch on the beach. Operators pick up in Montezuma, Cabuya, Malpaís, Santa Teresa and Tambor, and in August and September humpback whales are often seen on the way.
The other boat is the water taxi to Jacó, which crosses the gulf in about an hour and skips the drive to Puntarenas and the ferry. At last check it left around 8:30 a.m. (Tropical Tours from Montezuma beach; Zuma Tours from the Tambor dock, with a shuttle from its Montezuma office) and around 10:00 a.m. from Playa Herradura near Jacó; confirm with the operator. Luggage is limited to about one suitcase and one carry-on each. From Jacó you can continue to Manuel Antonio or San José.
How far is Montezuma from Santa Teresa?
About 14 km, 35 to 40 minutes by car: inland to Cóbano, where you'll find the gas stations, banks and clinic, then down a steep, paved hill into Montezuma. Parking in town is tight, so a taxi is often easier for an evening out.
- Cabuya and Cabo Blanco: about 9 km south, 20–25 minutes. The reserve's only public entrance is past Cabuya; see Cabo Blanco and the peninsula's parks.
- Tambor and Curú: Tambor is about 30 minutes north on the paved road to Paquera, and Curú about 25 minutes beyond it. See the Gulf side.
- Cóbano airport (ACO): 7 km, 10–15 minutes. See private transfers on the peninsula.
- The Paquera ferry: 31 km, 50 minutes to an hour. See the Puntarenas ferry schedule and getting to the peninsula.
Where to stay in Montezuma
Montezuma's hotels are small and mostly independent. By type:
- Beachfront resort: Ylang Ylang Beach Resort, on the beach, with meals included in the rate.
- Boutique by the falls: Hotel Amor de Mar, just past the bridge south of town, a few minutes from the waterfall trail.
- Wellness retreat: Anamaya, a yoga and wellness retreat above town.
- Budget: simple cabinas and hostels in the village, a few steps from the beach.
Prefer a design hotel, more restaurants and the sunset on the Pacific side? Base yourself in Santa Teresa and visit for the day: see where to stay in Santa Teresa, for example Hotel Tropico Latino on the beach. Comparing towns? Read Santa Teresa vs Nosara, which covers Montezuma too.
Where to eat
Montezuma eats well for its size. Travel guides still single out Playa de los Artistas (dinner with your toes in the sand; book ahead), Cocolores on the beach, and Butterfly Brewing for a burger and a local beer. Many places close for part of September and October, the wettest months, so check before you drive over.
What about surfing?
Montezuma isn't a surf town. If you'd like a first lesson, schools teach at Playa Grande, north of town; for more, see surfing near Santa Teresa.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Montezuma from Santa Teresa?
About 14 km, or 35 to 40 minutes by car. You drive inland to Cóbano, then down a steep, paved hill into Montezuma. Taxis make the trip too, so it's an easy half day or evening out from Santa Teresa.
Can you swim at the Montezuma waterfalls?
Yes, in the big pool at the bottom of the lower fall and in the pools above. Don't jump or climb from the top of the falls: people have died doing it. Wear water shoes with good grip, and skip the walk after heavy rain, when the river rises fast. In the dry season the flow drops and the pool can be murky.
Is Montezuma beach good for swimming?
Not very. The main beach in front of town is rocky, with strong waves, and in February the wind and currents pick up. Swim only on calm days, stay close to shore, and remember that most Costa Rican beaches have no lifeguards. For easy swimming, use the waterfall pools, the tide pools at low tide, or take a boat to Isla Tortuga.
Is Montezuma good for families?
For families with older kids, yes. It's compact and walkable, the waterfall hike is short, and there's a turtle hatchery that releases hatchlings in season. With small children, the rocky beach and the slippery river walk are harder. For calm water, head to the Gulf beaches around Tambor and Curú.
Is Montezuma or Santa Teresa better?
Santa Teresa has more restaurants, design hotels, surf and sunsets over the open Pacific. Montezuma is smaller, quieter and more bohemian, with waterfalls and boat trips on its doorstep, and it's generally easier on the budget. Many couples stay in Santa Teresa and come to Montezuma for a day, or split their nights between the two.
How do you get to Isla Tortuga from Montezuma?
On a full-day boat tour, about 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The boat takes about 50 minutes each way, and tours usually include snorkel gear and a barbecue lunch on the island's beach. Operators pick up in Montezuma, Cabuya, Malpaís, Santa Teresa and Tambor. See Isla Tortuga.
Can you take a boat from Montezuma to Jacó?
Yes. A water taxi crosses the Gulf of Nicoya in about an hour, leaving around 8:30 a.m. (from Montezuma beach, or from the Tambor dock with a shuttle from Montezuma, depending on the operator) and around 10:00 a.m. from Playa Herradura near Jacó (last checked September 2026). It saves the drive to Puntarenas and the ferry. Details on our Montezuma–Jacó water taxi page.
Is there an ATM in Montezuma?
No. The nearest banks, ATMs, pharmacies and the public clinic are in Cóbano, about 15 minutes up the hill. Bring cash for small restaurants and parking.