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Montezuma Montezuma Hotels - Montezuma Restaurants

Attractions & Activities Montezuma, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

In Montezuma you mostly just hang out at the beach, at a restaurant, at a bar, or in a hammock. The ocean here is a gorgeous royal blue, and beautiful beaches stretch out along the coast on either side of town. Be careful, though: The waves can occasionally be too rough for casual swimming, and you need to be aware of stray rocks at your feet. Be sure you know where the rocks and tide are before doing any bodysurfing. The best places to swim are a couple hundred meters north of town in front of El Rincón de los Monos, or several kilometers farther north at Playa Grande.

If you're interested in more than just hanging out, head for the waterfall just south of town -- it's one of those tropical fantasies where water comes pouring down into a deep pool. It's a popular spot, but it's a bit of a hike up the stream.

There are actually a couple of waterfalls up this stream, but the upper falls are by far the more spectacular. You'll find the trail to the falls just over the bridge south of the village (on your right just past Las Cascadas restaurant). At the first major outcropping of rocks, the trail disappears and you have to scramble up the rocks and river for a bit. A trail occasionally reappears for short stretches. Just stick close to the stream and you'll eventually hit the falls.

Note: Be very careful when climbing close to the rushing water, and also if you plan on taking any dives into the pools below. The rocks are quite slippery, and several people each year get very scraped up, break bones, and otherwise hurt themselves here.

Other Activities -- There are some rental shops in the center of the village where you can rent a bicycle by the day or hour, as well as boogie boards and snorkeling equipment (although the water must be very calm for snorkeling).

A range of guided tour and adventure options is available in Montezuma. Coco Zuma Traveller (tel. 642-0911) and Montezuma Travel Adventures (tel. 642-0808) can both arrange horseback riding, boat excursions, scuba-dive and snorkel tours, and rafting trips; car and motorcycle rentals; airport transfers; international phone, fax, and Internet service; and currency exchange.

You might want to stop and visit the Solera Botanical Gardens (tel. 642-0469). You can spend a very pleasant hour or so strolling through the gardens (essentially a nursery) and admiring the tropical flora. This place is located a bit outside of Cóbano, on the way to Tambor. Admission is $3.

One popular new tour option here is the Waterfall Canopy Tour (tel. 823-6111 or 642-0808), which is built right alongside Montezuma's famous falls. The tour, which features 9 cables connecting 11 platforms, includes a swim at the foot of the falls and costs $35 per person.

There are plenty of simple souvenir stores, as well as itinerant artisans selling their wares on the street, but it's worth stopping in at Piedra Colorado (tel. 841-5855) to check out their impressive silver, stone, and polished-shell creations. This place is located in the tiny strip mall in the center of Montezuma.