Montezuma
Montezuma is a small beach town on Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, known for a waterfall reached by walking up a river, rocky coves and its nearness to Cabo Blanco.
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Montezuma is a small beach town at the southern tip of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, on the Pacific coast. Visitors walk up a river to reach the waterfall, swim in the rocky coves and use the town as a starting point for Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve, which lies close by. Most travelers reach the peninsula by ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera and then drive the rest of the way, so the crossing sets the timing of the whole trip.
The dry season runs roughly from December through April and suits beach days and waterfall walks. Visitors come for walking, swimming and a slow pace in a small town. Plan the number of nights around the waterfall, the coves and a day trip toward Cabo Blanco, and check ferry and road times before you book the rest of your route.
Montezuma in five
- Walk to the waterfall with shoes that can get wetThe tourism board describes a 20 m waterfall with a natural pool, reached after about 20 minutes along a riverbed. After heavy rain, ask locally whether the route is safe before setting out.
- Time the Cabuya walkway to the tideA rocky walkway at low tide links the mainland with Cabuya island, according to the tourism board. Check a tide table and leave the island with plenty of margin before the water returns.
- Cross by ferry from Puntarenas to PaqueraThe tourism board's ferry page lists six daily departures from Puntarenas. Treat the page as a guide, since it is undated, and confirm the schedule with the operator the day before.Puntarenas ferries
- Use Cabo Blanco as the day tripThe Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve lies about 2 km from Cabuya, with varied wildlife and a clean beach. Confirm opening days and entry rules with SINAC before you go.
- Guard your passport and valuables hereCanada's travel advice flags the Cóbano area, including Montezuma, Mal País and Santa Teresa, for theft. Keep your passport and valuables secure and avoid showing signs of wealth.
Need to know
- Airport
- San José (SJO); ferry or road to the peninsula
- Getting there
- Ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera, then a road transfer
- Getting around
- Walk in town; taxi or rental car to Cabuya and Cabo Blanco
- Best base
- Montezuma town; Cabuya for a quieter stay
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 nights
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Dry, sunnyJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Dry, hotFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- MarchClear4 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°DriestMarchClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Driest
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Rains startAprilRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- MayRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Green seasonMayRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 373 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green season
- JuneRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Green seasonJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 459 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green season
- JulyRain26 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Little summerJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 313 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Little summer
- AugustRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Green seasonAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 398 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green season
- SeptemberRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°WettestSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 439 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°WettestOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 646 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- NovemberRain22 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Rains easeNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 289 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ease
- DecemberClear8 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Dry, holidaysDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, holidays
Average daily high and low in Montezuma, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Montezuma
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 90%
Montezuma
10:24 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today29°23°90%Monday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Tue28°22°98%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed25°22°98%Wednesday: Rain. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Thu23°22°99%Thursday: Rain. High 23°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Fri25°22°99%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Sat26°22°97%Saturday: Rain. High 26°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Sun28°22°80%Sunday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 80%.
Updated 08:02 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 454.9 CRC
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Mal País and Santa Teresaabout 1 hour by carSurf beaches along one long road at the peninsula's tip.Read the guide
- Cabuya island at low tidea short driveA tidal walkway to an island with a pre-Columbian cemetery.
- Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reservea short drive from CabuyaForest trails to a quiet beach; check opening days with SINAC.
Before you go to Montezuma
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Montezuma, checked
- The tourism board's ferry page also lists a Paquera to Puntarenas service, with the last departure from Paquera at 20:00; the page is undated, so confirm.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Canada's travel advice flags the Cóbano area, which includes Montezuma, Mal País and Santa Teresa, for theft.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Plan around Montezuma
Parks, coasts, seasons and entry rules for the whole country
Read the guideMal País and Santa TeresaSurf beaches at the southern tip
Read the guideCentral Pacific CoastThe mainland coast across the gulf
Read the guidePuntarenas ferriesSailings, landings and what to confirm.
Read the guideWhen to go to Costa RicaDry season, green season and coasts
Read the guideMontezuma FAQ
Is Montezuma worth visiting?
Yes for a small beach town with a waterfall walk, rocky coves and a quick route to Cabo Blanco. Skip it if you want long surf beaches, which suit Santa Teresa and Mal País better.
How long is the walk to the Montezuma waterfall?
The tourism board says about 20 minutes along a riverbed. Wear shoes with grip, take water and check conditions after rain, since the route follows the stream.
Can you swim at Montezuma beach?
Take local advice first and swim near other people. Avoid river mouths and rocky points. The Guanacaste guide carries the official warning on rip currents, which covers Costa Rican beaches generally.
How do you get to Montezuma from San José?
Drive or shuttle to Puntarenas, cross to Paquera on the ferry, then continue by road to the gulf-side cove. Allow a full day, and confirm sailing times with the operator, since the first and last crossings set your window.
Montezuma or Santa Teresa: which one?
Montezuma for walks, waterfalls and Cabo Blanco access on a quieter gulf-side cove; Santa Teresa for surf, wider beaches and more restaurants. The two are about an hour apart, so one side trip covers the other.