Beach · Nicoya Peninsula
Santa Teresa
A small surf village just north of Mal País, with white sand and sunsets over the Pacific. Most of our clients stay 3 nights.
Nicoya Peninsula Beaches
Six beach villages on one map. Santa Teresa and Mal País for surf, Nosara for yoga, Tambor and Cabuya when you want it quiet.
The short answer
Which Nicoya beach should you pick?
The Nicoya Peninsula is on the Pacific coast, west of the Gulf of Nicoya, and it was named one of the world's Blue Zones, known for health, happiness and long lives. Its best beaches are at the two ends. Santa Teresa, Mal País and Montezuma sit at the southern tip, closer to San José airport, and Santa Teresa has the most hotels we book there; most of our clients give it 3 nights. Nosara is further north, closer to Liberia airport, and known for surf and yoga. Our private drivers handle the roads, so nobody has to drive them.
The map
Nicoya Peninsula beach map
The six beaches, numbered from where we book the most hotels to the fewest.
Six Nicoya Peninsula beaches
Each one links to our full guide: what it is like, what to do and where to stay.
Beach · Nicoya Peninsula
Nosara
Surf beaches, mangroves and the yoga retreats Nosara is known for, about 15 minutes from Nosara airport. Most of our clients stay 4 nights.
Beach · Nicoya Peninsula
Mal País
At the tip of the peninsula: a long beach break with consistent waves, yoga, and a relaxed village feel.
Beach · Nicoya Peninsula
Tambor
A long sandy beach in Ballena Bay, named for the whales that migrate past it. One of the more developed towns here, with more places to stay.
Beach · Nicoya Peninsula
Montezuma
A fishing town until the 1980s, now an artists' village by the sea, with waterfalls close by and bungalows on the water.
Village · Nicoya Peninsula
Cabuya
A tiny village beside the Cabo Blanco nature reserve, for peace and quiet close to the surf of Mal País and Santa Teresa.
Good to know
Nicoya questions we answer every week
Where is the Nicoya Peninsula?
On Costa Rica's Pacific coast, west of the Gulf of Nicoya. Nosara is on its west coast, toward the north. Santa Teresa, Mal País, Montezuma, Cabuya and Tambor are at the southern tip.
What are the best beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula?
Santa Teresa and Mal País for surf and sunsets, Nosara for surf and yoga, Montezuma for a village by the sea with waterfalls nearby, and Tambor or Cabuya when you want quiet. Santa Teresa and Nosara are where we book the most hotels.
Which airport is closer, Liberia or San José?
For Nosara, Liberia (LIR). For Santa Teresa, Mal País, Montezuma and Tambor at the southern tip, San José (SJO). Your Specialist plans the route around your flights.
How many nights do I need?
3 nights in Santa Teresa, or 4 in Nosara, is what most of our clients choose.
What is there to do on the Nicoya Peninsula?
Surfing, yoga, horseback riding and sport fishing, and the Cabo Blanco nature reserve next to Cabuya. Nosara also has mangroves and jungle right behind the beach.
Do I need a car?
No. Our clients travel with a private driver who leaves on their schedule and stops whenever they want, so nobody has to drive.
Your Costa Rica, planned by people who live here
Tell us what you love. A Costa Rica Specialist builds a custom itinerary around it, with private transfers, hotels we know and our team on call 24/7 while you travel.
Since 2004 in Costa RicaOver 25,000 clients1,200+ five-star reviewsICT licensed, Declaratoria Turística