Montezuma: things to do

The town's signature walk and one of the few genuinely free waterfalls in Costa Rica. Three cascades: the largest is around 24 m (80 ft) with a pool at its base where most people simply swim or picnic. Two access routes exist — one crosses a hanging bridge, the other goes up the riverbed — and you can hike between the tiers to see the falls from top and bottom. There's a rope swing at one level.

Nine ziplines through dense jungle. Montezuma isn't Costa Rica's zipline capital — that's Monteverde — but if you're staying on the peninsula it's a solid half-day, and the location behind the falls means you can combine the two.

A waterfall that falls essentially onto the beach — genuinely unusual. Most people reach it on a horseback tour along the shoreline, and boat trips to Isla Tortuga pass it. The walk is long and hot on foot.

Costa Rica's first protected area, established 1963, and the seed of the entire national park system. Two main trails: the Danés is a gentle 2 km forest loop; the Sueco is a demanding 5 km each way (10 km return) through dense jungle to the remote Playa Cabo Blanco, which visitors describe reaching with almost nobody else there. Wildlife includes white-faced capuchins, white-tailed deer, agoutis and abundant birdlife. A bus runs from Montezuma a couple of times a day if you don't have a car.

Smaller, easier and reliably good for monkeys, iguanas and birds — a gentler option than the Sueco trail, and often combined with an Isla Tortuga boat departure.

A small coastal village on Cabo Blanco's doorstep with a few surf breaks. Its curiosity is the island cemetery, reached on foot across the causeway at low tide. Panadería Cabuya Cafetería is the recommended coffee-and-baked-goods stop. See the tide warning above — this one is genuinely important.

The area's headline day trip. Volcanic rock structures around the island create the snorkelling conditions, and the beach is white sand. Boats leave from the main beach and pass El Chorro waterfall on the way, with dolphins commonly seen and whales in season. Operators generally include transport, lunch and drinks — one reviewer named guide Rudy specifically for pointing out wildlife along the route.

A large secluded bay near the wildlife refuges, and the local learn-to-surf beach. Not to be confused with the Playa Grande in Guanacaste — different coast, different beach.

Two of the quieter stretches. Montezuma's own beaches are lava-rock-strewn and dramatic rather than groomed — reviewers consistently describe the coast here as some of the emptiest good beach in the country, especially in green season.

A family operation running boat and fishing trips around Cabo Blanco's bird island, including past a bubbling underwater whirlpool. Fruit, water, snacks and fishing supplies included — one of the more genuinely local experiences on this coast.

"The healthy banana" — the health-food restaurant the Iacono family opened the day electricity reached Montezuma, and the origin of the whole Ylang Ylang operation. Still family-run, and where Ylang Ylang guests check in.

Frommer's calls it some of the tastiest food on this stretch of coastline. Local seafood and tropical produce, candlelit under the stars with wildlife in attendance. Open to non-guests.

The local craft brewery — the reliable evening option in a town without much nightlife infrastructure.

Coffee and baked goods, repeatedly named as the stop to make when heading to or from Cabo Blanco.

Well regarded but reported closed by at least one recent visitor — worth checking current status rather than planning around it.

Tacos and seafood, well spoken of before its closure. Confirm it has actually reopened before counting on it.