Nicoya Peninsula: Why go

Stretching out into the Pacific, the long Nicoya Peninsula encompasses the drier plains of Guanacaste and the forested hills of southern Nicoya, with mangrove forests and lots of wildlife in the gulf.

But its greatest pleasures are along the Pacific shore, which has superb beaches separated from one another by steep, forested ridges. Northern Nicoya, around Tamarindo, is too developed for our liking; we prefer the quieter beaches of the south. There are tranquil coves, like Islita, and excellent surfing beaches towards the tip of the peninsula, where boutique hotels and secluded villas make blissful hideaways in untouched spots far from the crowds. Montezuma is a laid-back hangout with a younger, hippier feel, and both places are within reach of 2 nature reserves: Cabo Blanco and Curú.