At a glance
- From Santa Teresa
- About 1 hour via Cóbano and Montezuma (29 km). The direct track from Malpaís is 4x4 only, with river crossings
- From the airports
- Cóbano airport (ACO): about 30–40 minutes. San José airport (SJO): about 6 hours via the Paquera ferry. Liberia airport (LIR): about 5 hours
- Swimming
- Pebbles and rocks: swim at high tide when the sea is calm. Snorkel around the island's reef
- Best for
- Nature-minded couples and families with school-age kids; a stop on a Cabo Blanco day
- Facilities
- A couple of mini-markets and a local clinic post; restaurants, hotels and more in Montezuma, 20–25 minutes away
- Getting there
- By car via Montezuma; a small local bus runs from Montezuma
- Surf
- Playa Cedros and the Río Lajas mouth, between Montezuma and Cabuya, get waves on a swell; experienced surfers only
What is Cabuya like?
Cabuya stretches for several miles along the shore south of Montezuma, ending at the border of the Cabo Blanco reserve. It's a fishing village first, with a couple of mini-markets and a small local clinic post. Near the village stands the Higuerón de Cabuya, a giant strangler fig.
Can you walk to Cabuya's cemetery island?
Yes, at low tide. Isla de Cabuya sits about 100 m offshore, and when the tide is out a causeway of rocks lets you walk across. The island has been a burial ground since pre-Columbian times, and it's still the village cemetery, so walk quietly and leave the graves alone. There's snorkeling on the reef at the island's tip, and tide pools with colorful fish along the way.
Insider tip: Check the tide table before you go (the nearest official one is for Puntarenas, on the national weather service's site), set off on a falling tide and start back while the rocks are still dry. The rising water can cut the causeway off, and the rocks are sharp, so wear water shoes.
Can you swim at Cabuya?
The beach is pebbles and rock, so it's better for exploring than lounging. Swim at high tide, when the water covers the rocks, and only when the sea is calm. For an easy swimming beach, the calm Gulf bays at Tambor and Curú are about an hour north.
How do you get to Cabuya?
From Santa Teresa, drive to Cóbano, down to Montezuma and on south: about 29 km, roughly an hour. From Montezuma it's 20 to 25 minutes, and a small local bus runs the road. There's also a direct track from Malpaís, but it's rough, crosses rivers and is often impassable in the rainy season, so use it only in a 4x4, in the dry season, with local advice.
Cabuya pairs naturally with Cabo Blanco reserve, whose entrance is just past the village (open Wednesday to Sunday): hike in the morning, then cross to the island on the afternoon low tide.
Nearby beaches
Frequently asked questions
Can you walk to Isla de Cabuya?
Yes, at low tide, over a causeway of rocks about 100 m long. Check the tide table first, wear water shoes and start back before the tide turns, so you don't get cut off.
Is Cabuya good for swimming?
Only at high tide on calm days: the beach is pebbles and rock. It's better for snorkeling around the island and exploring the tide pools. For easy swimming, head to the Gulf beaches at Tambor or Curú.
How far is Cabuya from Santa Teresa?
About an hour by car, via Cóbano and Montezuma (29 km). The shorter direct track from Malpaís needs a 4x4 and crosses rivers, and it's often impassable in the rainy season.
Is Cabuya near Cabo Blanco?
Yes. The reserve's only public entrance, the ranger station, is just south of the village. Cabo Blanco is open Wednesday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. See our Cabo Blanco guide.
Is Cabuya good for kids?
For school-age kids, yes: the low-tide walk to the island, the tide pools and the giant fig tree make a fun half day, especially combined with the short trail at Cabo Blanco. Keep a close eye on the tide and the slippery rocks.