Description of the Area:

MONTEZUMA IS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE...

Today, Montezuma has become a desirable destination for people from all over the world. Recently, the Lonely Planet placed Montezuma on its list as one of the most safest and most beautiful beaches in all of Costa Rica, alongside Playa Samara. What makes Montezuma so unique is its strong and growing international community. A large percentage of year round foreign residents are artists: builders, craftspeople, creative chefs and people working in the healing arts. Montezuma hosts a variety of hotels, from economy to luxury. Also available are a large selection of cabinas, some with kitchenettes and all offered at an economy rate. Montezuma has several private beach houses also available for rent as well as luxury villas. In short, there are accommodations to fit every budget. But if one really wants to vacation in first class in Montezuma- rent a luxury villa for a special occasion for just the two of you or for an entire group up to 15 people!

Montezuma boasts some fabulous restaurants from fine international to typical Costa Rican eating. Among mentioning is Cocolores, which offers Asian cuisine and Playa de Artistas, a Mediterranean restaurant. There are several grocery stores that offer fresh produce and imported fine wines along with a variety of souvenir and clothing shops, an art gallery, a glass blowing shop, as well as several Internet cafes. Every Saturday is market day in the communal space next to the children’s playground in the center of town. This is an all-organic market that offers fabulous produce all year round. It also is a great place to meet people and converse with fellow residents. There is a Kindergarten, as well as, a small Montessori school that offer their services. There are efforts underway to establish an international school here in the area.

 Montezuma village is very small due to topographical limitations. However, there is room for commercial and residential growth up along the surrounding hills of the town. The landscape around Montezuma is spectacular, with beautiful long stretches of white sand beaches. The farthest stretch of beach ends 6 km from the village and is bordered by a cascade which falls directly into a natural swimming pool. Another waterfall, located in the jungle south of the village can be accessed by foot along a trail and is the perfect place to be during hot summer days. The hills in the back of Montezuma are covered with tropical forest, home to a large variety of animals including two species of monkeys; the white faced Capuchin and Howler monkey. There are also to be found deer, armadillo, iguanas, jaguar and many species of colorful birds.
 

SETTLEMENT AROUND MONTEZUMA
 

People have settled along the 7 km road from Cóbano to Montezuma. Many of the properties listed in this area offer impressive views, as well as exceptional commercial opportunity. The road from Montezuma to Cóbano winds up to approximately 250 m above sea level. Many properties up here offer spectacular views of the gulf and the open sea. In this region, prices are lower than along the road up from Montezuma through Delicias.
 

CÓBANO
 

Cóbano is the commercial center of the entire region known as the Southern Nicoya Peninsula. The commercial center of the area has a full service bank (Banco Nacional) with an ATM machine, several supermarkets, hardware stores, a post office, a clinic, a pharmacy, several Dental Clinics, Restaurants, 2 butcher shops, an internet café, gas station, a public library and governmental departments.
Life in and around Cóbano is still very rural and typical of Costa Rican country life. The tourist market and the construction sector in the area are growing fast- but country life is still very present with cattle along the road and men on horseback. The town has applied for its cantonal independence and is definitely on its way to modernization. For business purposes apart from tourism, it is the most interesting spot of the Peninsula Sur de Nicoya.
Properties in and around Cóbano cost less than beach locations - a good alternative if you intend to set up a business or desire to have everything conveniently close to your residence. Travel by bus or a car to Montezuma is about 15 minutes and to Mal Pais/ Santa Teresa, about 25 minutes. The surrounding landscape is beautiful, displaying tropical green vegetation backed with rolling green mountains. Here you will find cattle and horses grazing freely under a wide blue sky.

DELICIAS
 

CABUYA
 

Another attractive living possibility in the Montezuma area is along the southern coastal stretch towards Cabuya and the Cabo Blanco National State Park. Turquoise waters hug the beaches here of Las Manchas, Las Rocas and Los Cedros. The Cabuya village is located approximately 7 km south of Montezuma. The Cabo Blanco National Park is another 2 km beyond the Cabuya village.
Cabuya lies near the very tip of the Nicoya peninsula, yet faces east towards the rising sun. Living in or close to the little village is attractive for conveniences but also for its growing community. Many foreigners have chosen Cabuya to live in for its quiet surroundings and natural beauty. It is typical to see Howler monkeys taking a siesta in the trees and find migrating herons flocking to the rivers. The beach of Cabuya has both sandy and rocky areas, and at low tide one can walk out to the island of Cabuya by means of a natural land bridge. Montezuma is about a 15 minute drive north and Mal Pais 20 minutes. There are a few local restaurants, one having internet access. There are several hotels along this stretch, one standing out in quality and located along the main road with beachfront access. Two other hotels are also located right on the beach. Another hotel offers stays in rustic tree-like bungalows.
There are many foreigners with creative vision and intentions who have settled here. A new outdoor concert stage has been built by a local Swiss artisan off the main road to Cabuya.

The Southern Nicoya Peninsula

The Southern Nicoya Peninsula is a remote area where you will find solitary yet beautiful beaches meeting mountains that tilt precipitously upward to the interior of the half island. The Southern Nicoya Peninsula can be reached by road from the northern province of Guanacaste, but the easiest way from the Costa Rica mainland is to cross the Gulf of Nicoya by ferry from Puntarenas. It will take you a little bit longer to get there, but you will most certainly enjoy this secluded gem.

Tourism on the Nicoya Peninsula is mostly small scale with quaint villages and hotels. Vacations in the little beach villages offer something for everybody's taste: Tambor, scenically nestled into a large horseshoe bay, offers comfort and tranquility; the famous beaches of Santa Teresa and Mal Pais attract the international surfer scene and Montezuma with its stunning natural beauty, has a trendy village atmosphere and is one of the "have to visit" spots in Costa Rica. Nature lovers will enjoy the Curu Wildlife Reserve, a snorkeling trip to Tortuga Island, or hiking at Cabo Blanco, the oldest nature reserve in Costa Rica.

While Guanacaste is known for its dry climate, the southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula receives more rain annually, making it a transitional zone between the dry forest climate and the tropical rain forest. The wildlife here is common to both ecosystems and many animals are seasonal commuters.

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