Montezuma, a small and bohemian town located in southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in the province of Puntarenas, has gained popularity among tourists in the last few years due to its laid back and friendly style and of course its unique beauty.

Many consider this area more of an option for “backpackers” but this is not entirely true, Montezuma can be enjoyed by backpackers, adventure seekers, couples looking for a place to escape the routine, and eco-tourists. The town offers plenty of options to dine and accommodations that fit different budgets and preferences; also yoga studios and wellness spas.

Playa Grande beach is the main attraction of Montezuma, the white sand creates a beautiful contrast with the perfect blue ocean that disappears into the horizon; whether you want to just enjoy a nice walk, go for a swim or if you want to practice snorkeling or surfing, the beach accommodates to all styles. The area is surrounded by several natural reserves (Romelia Wildlife Refuge, Piedra Colorada and Nicolas Wessberg Natural Reserve), home to a variety of wildlife.

The vibrant forest and beautiful beach provides Montezuma with a unique flavor.

Nested within the rainforest, Las Tres Cascadas is another of the places in Montezuma that tourists love to visit. As its name indicates this place consists of three waterfalls that provide an incredibly peaceful place to just enjoy a relaxing swim in fresh water or if you wish to embrace your adventurous spirit you may want to jump off the rocks into the delicious swimming holes or do one of the different canopy lines available.

Just 9 km (5.6 miles) south of Montezuma you’ll find the Cablo Blanco Natural Reserve the first protected area and National Park in Costa Rica. Cablo Blanco is home to a large number of birds, among them, brown pelicans, the brown booby and ospreys; small mammals are also found here, such as coyotes, porcupines, monkeys, anteaters and armadillos.

You can get to Montezuma by taking a boat taxi from Jaco, or you can fly in to Tambor and take a cab to Montezuma; the other option is driving in from San Jose and taking the Tambor ferry.