Areas Around Hotel Playa Carmen

Playa Carmen Beach, Santa Teresa / Malpais

These beaches are amongst the most famous for surfing that exist. White sand, clean water and turbulent, forming excellent waves for all levels of surfers, beginners, intermediate and advanced. Hundreds of miles of great beaches has made this the destination of surfers of all ages. When the waves grow calm at the end of the day, the view of surfers resting on their boards in the sea is an unforgettable sight of peace and tranquility.

Playa Santa Teresa

Playa Santa Teresa is made up of a group of white sand beaches which are easily accessible by several entrances off the main road and by footpaths. The beach is bordered by gigantic Pochote trees.
 
 

Playa Hermosa North of Santa Teresa

Playa Hermosa is a spectacular beach that, just like Playa Carmen, at times is deserted allowing for times of pleasurable rest. The way the beach is formed the waves break twice, perfect for beginning surfers who need practice standing up and getting stable on the board. Nevertheless there are points where the rocks produce good waves for more experienced surfers. There are several beaches in Costa Rica named Playa Hermosa, just so you won;t get confused, this one used to be called Playa San Martín, but foreigners began calling it Playa Hermosa, for obvious reasons - and today it is still known by this name.

Playa Manzanillo

This is one destination that has not become so Americanized in Costa Rica. There are few places to eat near the beach and few hotels. Access to the beach is very easy because the road runs right along the beach, in fact so close that when it is high tide the road disappears! There is a small protected bay in front protected from large waves, perfect for families with small children.

Each year there is a sand castle competition and all the people of the local town turn out to participate from the youngest to the oldest to build their greatest creations - it's a great traditional fiesta that we hope will always be continued.

Reserva Absoluta Cabo Blanco

This 1.172 hectare Reserve was established in 1963 as the only protected area set aside prior to the National Park services framework legislation being passed in 1970 guaranteeing the protection of the area. It is filled with trails allowing you to enjoy the biodiversity of the zone. This reserve occupies the major part of the southern Nicoya Peninsula protecting the oldest examples of mixed deciduous and tropical forests in the area. This zone is home to many and rare species, many of which are in danger of extinction, including birds, Jaguarundis and some species of monkeys and rodents. In this area you will find natural fresh water wells and springs, an important resource for coastal birds. There are various winding pathways that lead you to it's beautiful beach. Magnificent nature and wildlife. Hiking to the beach must be done early in the day as the journey takes nerly 2 hours and you must return along the same pathway. The Reserve is closed on Monday and Tuesday.

Refugio de Vida Silvestre Curú

One of the smaller protected areas of the country made up of only 0.85 km2 concentrated mostly on mangrove swamps and dry tropical forest. This protected zone is located on a private Mango farm in an extension of approximately 10 km2. Their owners planted a great variety of fruit bearing trees in strategic locations designed to attract animals, included amongst those you might encounter would be white faced monkeys, pizotes, squirrels, mapaches and a great variety of water fowl along the coast. You can gain access by land from Nicoya or Paquera and it's only a few kilometers from Playa Tambor.

Trail to Playa Grande (Sendero a Playa Grande)

The trail starts at the Public school and just past Montezuma Beach continues along a through a forest and along the beach. In about 20 minutes you will arrive at Piedra Colorado (Red Rock) where a small stream empties into the ocean. Keep walking for one more hour and you will arrive at a tranquil, deserted beach named Playa Grande. You can continue walking another 45 minutes and you will arrive at a waterfall that falls into the sea.

Isla Cementerio - Cabuya

It is possible to gain access by foot when the tide is low by means of a footpath (15 minute walk). The Montezuma bus leaves for Cabuya at 8:30 a.m. each day, or drive along the sea for 7 kms.

Cascadas de Montezuma  

Justo al sur del pueblo de Montezuma frente al Hotel Amor de Mar puede ingresar a disfrutar las Cascadas de  Montezuma  (40 minutos de caminata).  La primer cascada cae en un lago que le permite nadar por su agradable poza de agua cristalina.  Desde esta ubicación no se logra visualizar las otras cascadas, pero si sube el costado de la colima por medio de un sendero que existe accesará a la segunda y tercera cascada que dan una magnífica vista del bosque tropical seco.

River walk to the Cascadas de Montezuma 

Just south of Montezuma in front of the Hotel Amor de Mar you can enjoy the Cascadas de Montezuma (or Montezuma Waterfalls), only a 40 minute walk away. the first cascade falls into a lake where you can swim in crystal blue waters. From there you cannot see the other falls but if you climb up the flank of the falls by means of a path on one side you will be able to see a second and third waterfall higher up that provide a magnificent view of the tropical dry forest.
 
Family Picnic along Rio Bongo, Rio Lajas - Special for Europeans

This river stroll is very relaxing. Consult reception for more details since this is a stroll more for Costa Rican locals, but if your vacation includes getting to know and enjoy the local culture this stroll is for you. Don't forget a picnic basket and your swimming gear for a dip in the river just like the local families do.