Sámara, Costa Rica, is one of the Nicoya Peninsula's most welcoming beach towns. Unlike some of Guanacaste's busier destinations, Sámara offers a balance of beautiful beaches, local culture, and a relaxed atmosphere without feeling overcrowded.…
Reaching Malpaís is part of what makes it feel so different from many of Costa Rica's beach destinations. Located at the southwestern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, Malpaís isn't the kind of place you accidentally…
It's easy to assume that Malpaís and Santa Teresa are essentially the same destination. After all, they sit side by side along Costa Rica's southern Nicoya Peninsula, sharing the same Pacific coastline, the same sunsets,…
Surfing has shaped the identity of Costa Rica's southern Nicoya Peninsula for decades. Most visitors immediately think of Santa Teresa, where surf schools line the beach, and the lineup fills quickly after sunrise. Continue just…
Some destinations encourage you to see as much as possible. Malpaís encourages the opposite. Life moves with the tides rather than a schedule, mornings begin with the sound of waves instead of traffic, and afternoons…
Some places ask for your attention. Malpaís, Costa Rica doesn't. There are no busy commercial streets, large beachfront developments, or crowds gathering around sunset. Instead, this small stretch of coastline at the southern end of…
At first glance, Montezuma and Santa Teresa don't seem all that different. Both sit on the southern Nicoya Peninsula, both reward travelers willing to make the journey from the mainland, and both combine Pacific beaches…
Long before Costa Rica became known around the world for national parks and ecotourism, a small stretch of forest at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula changed the country's future. In 1963, Cabo Blanco…
Some places become famous because they are spectacular. Others become unforgettable because they fit naturally into the landscape around them. Montezuma Waterfall belongs to the second group. Just beyond the cafés, boutique hotels, and small…
Five days in Montezuma is enough time to understand why this small beach town has attracted artists, surfers, yogis, and nature lovers for decades. Unlike some destinations on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, Montezuma isn't about…