Montezuma Chamber of Tourism 

Dear Friends,

Costa Rica, despite its small land mass, is a country that houses around 6% of all the biodiversity of our planet. Because of this we urge you to take one of the most impressive natural history tours by traveling across the peninsula or on the ferry from Puntarenas to Montezuma.

The Chamber of Tourism Association invites you to discover why Montezuma is considered one of the most important tourist destinations in Costa Rica and how tourism is encouraging development in our village.

Thank you very much,
Antonio Vallese
President
Montezuma Chamber of Tourism

History of Montezuma

Just 50 years ago Montezuma was the port of departure for all agricultural production in the highlands that surround it. It was a small, clean and quiet harbor, surrounded by the most authentic and lively nature. Every day the people formed an oxcart parade carrying their goods down to meet the boat coming from Puntarenas.

In the mid-70’s a road was built connecting Cóbano with Paquera, so that Montezuma was no longer a port and became a wonderful and truly magical fishing village.

Montezuma was a charming place on the planet, located at the foot of two large cliffs with six small and large rivers running down the cliffs, creating small pools and wonderful waterfalls; eight different and fascinating beaches, with shades of sand ranging from ivory to dark gray in spots in particular Playa Grande. The beautiful and lush forests are home to many native species and more: raccoons, anteaters, squirrels, agoutis, hammer deer, Zainos, howler and capuchin monkeys, ocelots and tayras, to name some of them … and all of them coexist for the most part in harmony …

All of this brought the first foreigners over. They could not resist the magnetism and fascination exerted on them Montezuma and so they stayed forever …

Don Nicholas and Donna Karen, Swedish and Danish they founded the first protected area in Costa Rica: The Cabo Blanco Absolute National Reserve gave rise to other protected areas that make Costa Rica has now 25% of its territory a protection regime. Alberth and Gitza, an American and an Italian, followed and acquired a lot of land, he for the conservation and research of a kind of grape that grows in the tropics, to which he devoted much of his life; she for livestock that was one of her great passions.

Today, Montezuma is grateful to these first four foreigners, whose bodies have left, but whose spirits live in the mountains, rivers, vineyards, pastures and beaches so often walked, to have the entire area between Piedra Colorada and Cocalito under protection regimes.

Montezuma gradually began to be visited first by dancers, painters, musicians … all kinds of national artists and bohemians, then by foreigners like Italians, Germans, Spanish, Greek, Americans, the Dutch, the Swiss, the Danish, Austrians, Argentinians, Colombians, Peruvians and Uruguayans, who were also captivated by the magic of this place.

Montezuma is now a very special place, its small, cosmopolitan village has a unique atmosphere where you can enjoy many activities. In just a few steps, you can begin to discover: 8 wonderful and different beaches, four freshwater rivers with delicious, invigorating or caressing waterfalls, mountains in all imaginable shades of green, starry skies and beaches lit by the light of the full moon and miles of protected mountains, rivers and beaches still inhabited by the flora and fauna of this wonderful corner of the planet.

Text by Rebeca Quesada Güell. All rights reserved: Reproduction in part or in full is prohibited.