One of the nicest surprises about staying in Montezuma is how many different versions of Costa Rica you can experience without changing hotels. In the morning you might walk through protected forest listening for monkeys. On another day, you could be snorkeling in the Gulf of Nicoya, watching birds beside a mangrove or following a trail toward a waterfall.
Montezuma makes a beautiful base for nature day trips on the southern Nicoya Peninsula. Cabo Blanco, Curú Wildlife Refuge, Tortuga Island and the region’s coastal trails offer quite different adventures, from peaceful observation to a full day on the water. The trick is not trying to do all of them before lunch.
At Anamaya Resort, a yoga and wellness retreat above Montezuma, guests can combine excursions with yoga, spa experiences, healthy meals and time to enjoy the ocean view. That balance is part of the appeal: you get to explore Costa Rica, then come home to a place where slowing down feels just as good.
Nature day trips at a glance
- Cabo Blanco: Historic protected forest, hiking and birdwatching south of Montezuma.
- Curú: Wildlife refuge with forest, mangrove, beach habitats and easier nature-watching options.
- Tortuga Island: Boat outing, snorkeling, beach relaxation and Gulf of Nicoya scenery.
- Montezuma Falls: Three-tiered waterfall and pools right next door, reached by Anamaya guests on our own private path.
- El Chorro: A dramatic coastal waterfall reached via a longer, tide-dependent outing.
- Whale and dolphin watching: Seasonal opportunities on local boat trips, best when operators report recent sightings.
Cabo Blanco: Where Costa Rica’s Conservation Story Began
Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve is more than a pretty forest. Established in 1963, it has an important place in Costa Rica’s conservation history as the country’s first protected natural reserve. That makes a visit feel especially meaningful if you’re curious about how the country developed its reputation for ecotourism.
The reserve lies near Cabuya, south of Montezuma. Its trails pass through forest where you can listen for birds and monkeys and watch how the landscape changes as you move between different areas. Some trees are enormous, and the forest has the satisfying density of a place given time and protection.
Cabo Blanco is a real hiking destination, which is a big part of its charm. Leave early while the forest is cool and lively, carry plenty of water and give yourself time to linger on the way back. Walking shoes are a better partner here than sandals, and the reward is a forest that feels wonderfully wild.
The official SINAC reserve page currently lists opening hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, with Monday and Tuesday closures. Check current access before your visit, as weather or management conditions can change. Our Cabo Blanco guide gives more background on the reserve’s history and habitats.
Best for: Travelers who enjoy a proper forest walk, conservation history, birds and a sense of being surrounded by nature.
Curú Wildlife Refuge: A Different Kind of Nature Day
Curú Wildlife Refuge is one of our favorite recommendations for guests who want to spend time observing animals rather than concentrating on a strenuous hike. The refuge protects a mixture of forest, mangrove, estuary and coastline, which means you can discover several habitats on the same visit.
Howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, coatis and many birds are part of the refuge’s wildlife story. Curú also has a long conservation history involving forest protection and species recovery. The scenery changes as you move between shady trails and more open coastal environments, offering plenty of chances to stop and look around.
The refuge’s own trail information lists several easy options, including Sendero Cangrejal, Sendero Ceiba and Sendero Toledo, as well as harder sections and occasional closures due to landslides. That’s useful because it means visitors can choose an outing that suits their abilities rather than assuming every trail is the same.
Birdwatchers should try arriving early. The refuge identifies morning and late-afternoon windows as particularly rewarding for bird activity. A naturalist guide can add a lot, especially if you’d love to understand how monkeys, birds and other wildlife use the different habitats.
Part of the fun at Curú is not knowing who’ll turn up. Every visit is a little different, and a coati investigating the forest floor or a bird calling from the mangroves can easily become the highlight of the trip.
Best for: Wildlife lovers, birdwatchers, couples and guests who prefer a choice of gentler or moderate trails.
Tortuga Island: The Ocean Day
Some days call for a completely different kind of adventure. Tortuga Island, in the Gulf of Nicoya, offers warm Pacific scenery, boat travel, beaches and opportunities to snorkel among tropical fish when conditions are suitable.
The island experience begins on the water. You leave the coast behind, watch the hills grow smaller and begin to notice little islands and changing colors in the sea. Depending on the operator and conditions, there may be opportunities to see dolphins, seabirds or other marine life along the way.
Snorkeling can be lovely, but visibility depends on weather, tides and sea conditions. A responsible operator will adjust activities when conditions aren’t suitable. If you’re new to snorkeling, choose a trip that explains the equipment and provides attentive supervision rather than one that assumes everybody is an experienced swimmer.
A good Tortuga Island outing also leaves time to relax. Sit under the shade, wander along the beach, enjoy lunch and take in the island scenery. You don’t have to fill every minute with an activity just because you’ve traveled by boat.
Our Tortuga Island snorkeling guide introduces the setting, and Anamaya’s excursion information can help you see what trips are currently offered during your stay.
Best for: Ocean lovers, snorkeling beginners who choose a suitable operator, relaxed beach days and guests seeking an outing with less hiking.
Montezuma Falls: An Adventure Close to Home
A trip to Montezuma Falls is often the most natural choice for Anamaya guests because the waterfall gorge lies right beside the property, and guests walk down on Anamaya’s own private path. The three cascades and their natural pools have different characters, from the dramatic lower waterfall to smaller upper tiers surrounded by dense vegetation.
What makes the experience special isn’t only the water. The trail passes through tropical forest where birds call from the trees and the river creates a cool green corridor. You’ll notice roots, ferns, enormous rocks and shifting light long before you reach the main pool.
Bring shoes with good grip for the rocks. Plenty of visitors love jumping into the pools; if that’s your plan, go with someone who knows the spots and check the depth and the water level, especially after heavy rain. Others are happy floating in the cool water or sitting beside the cascade, and both make for a wonderful morning.
Our complete Montezuma waterfalls guide covers the routes and the best spots, while the waterfall and trails map provides useful orientation.
Best for: Guests who want a memorable jungle experience without getting in a vehicle.
Playa Grande: The Jungle Beach Walk
Playa Grande is one of the loveliest beaches on the peninsula, and you reach it on foot. The trail from Montezuma takes about 30 minutes, following beach and jungle paths past small waterfalls and rocky coves, with good chances of spotting monkeys and birds on the way.
The beach itself is long, wide and usually quiet. Its waves are fairly small and consistent, with no rocks, which makes it one of the best spots in the area for a first surf lesson. Bring water, sun protection and shoes you don’t mind getting sandy. Our Playa Grande surf guide and surf and yoga retreat page explain how guests combine the walk with a lesson.
Best for: Walkers, beginner surfers and anyone who wants a wild beach without a boat or a car.
El Chorro and the Quiet Northern Coast
North of Montezuma, near Playa Cocolito, El Chorro waterfall drops from a coastal cliff toward the ocean. Its dramatic setting feels different from the three Montezuma cascades. Here the forest opens to sand, rock, sea spray and the wide Pacific.
Reaching El Chorro can involve a long walk along beaches and through coastal forest, with rocky headlands that require careful timing around low tide. Guided horseback outings may be available, depending on conditions and local operators. It’s a trip to start early, with plenty of water.
For travelers who enjoy walking, the route can be one of the most beautiful coastal adventures near Montezuma. You may pass quiet coves, patches of shade and long stretches of beach where it feels as though the rest of the world is very far away. An early start, a quick look at the tide table and a little local route advice make the day much more relaxed.
A local El Chorro guide introduces the setting. If your retreat week is already busy, save this excursion for a day when you have plenty of energy rather than squeezing it between two other activities.
Best for: Confident walkers, adventurous couples and guests who love wild coastal scenery.
Whale Watching and Dolphin Encounters: Timing Matters
Costa Rica’s Pacific coast receives humpback whales associated with two different seasonal migrations. Broad countrywide windows include the northern winter, around December through March or April, and the second half of the year, particularly July through October. Exact opportunities vary considerably by region.
The Costa Rica Tourism Board’s marine wildlife overview explains the country’s seasonal whale movements, while the International Whaling Commission’s Costa Rica guide discusses whale-watching activity in different Pacific communities, including the Gulf of Nicoya area.
The southern Pacific coast around Uvita is Costa Rica’s best-known whale-watching area, but whales do visit the waters off the Nicoya Peninsula too. Before booking a boat trip from Montezuma, ask a local operator what’s been seen recently. That’s the best guide to your chances.
Dolphins may appear on boat trips in the region, and sea turtles and rays are other possible encounters. The ocean is wonderfully alive and wonderfully independent of anyone’s itinerary.
Best for: Travelers with a special interest in marine life who can plan around the season, current sightings and reputable local operators.
Which Nature Day Trip Should You Choose?
If you’d like just one memorable outing, start with the experience you’ll most enjoy rather than the most famous name. A great trip for a keen hiker might be tiring for someone who came to Costa Rica mainly to rest. A snorkeling day can be magical for an ocean lover but disappointing for a guest who dislikes boats.
| Outing | Typical commitment | Energy level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabo Blanco | Half to full day | Moderate to demanding | Forest hiking and conservation |
| Curú Wildlife Refuge | Half to full day | Easy to moderate routes available | Wildlife and birdwatching |
| Tortuga Island | Usually full day | Generally gentle, with boat time | Snorkeling and beach relaxation |
| Montezuma Falls | Short outing to half day | Natural forest path from Anamaya | Waterfall scenery and rainforest |
| El Chorro | Long half to full day | Demanding if hiking | Wild beaches and coastal scenery |
| Marine wildlife boat trip | Variable by operator | Usually gentle but sea-dependent | Dolphins and seasonal whales |
Travel time depends on your departure point, road conditions and the tour route. Cabo Blanco is a relatively local drive via Cabuya; Curú is farther around the peninsula, while Tortuga Island is reached by boat. Use the table to choose a type of day, then ask the team about the details.
How to Mix Excursions with a Wellness Retreat
The most common mistake on a nature-rich holiday is treating rest as wasted time. You arrive excited, book something every morning and afternoon, and suddenly your retreat week looks suspiciously like the calendar you came to escape.
Try alternating an active day with a gentler one. A forest hike followed by an afternoon massage can be lovely. A full-day boat excursion might be followed by a morning when you do nothing more ambitious than yoga, breakfast and the pool. After visiting the waterfalls, you may find that sitting quietly with a book feels just as satisfying as another adventure.
At Anamaya, that flexibility is part of the experience. Retreat weeks typically include accommodation and three meals per day, while yoga, spa and excursions are selected separately; you can see what’s on offer on our excursions page. There are enough possibilities to make a varied week without needing to take all of them.
Founder Geoff McCabe’s connection to the peninsula helps explain why the place feels like a home base rather than a tour depot. Anamaya began as his house overlooking the forest and ocean. Guests now have the pleasure of exploring the surrounding landscape and returning to a retreat designed around gathering, food, conversation and the remarkable view.
For more on the property, visit our eco lodge yoga retreat guide, and for the animals you’ll encounter even without leaving the retreat, explore the Montezuma wildlife field guide.
A Few Ways to Travel Lightly
Small choices can improve your day and help protect the places you visit. Carry a reusable bottle. Keep food packed away from curious monkeys and coatis. Choose operators who respect wildlife and keep appropriate distances from marine animals. Stay on established trails where practical, and bring everything you carried into a protected area back out with you.
Listen to local advice about the weather. The green season makes forest walks extraordinarily beautiful, and when a boat trip moves to another day, it’s usually a chance for a spa afternoon or a long lunch with new friends.
Travel can be a lovely exchange with the people and places hosting you. When possible, choose local guides and businesses that treat their staff and surroundings with care. The natural world provides the experience, and caring travelers help give it a future.
