The Nicoya Peninsula

Surfing, Remote Beaches, Relaxation

The Nicoya Peninsula is a remote corner of Costa Rica filled with great surf, rugged beaches, waterfalls, and amazing hiking.

We like this area to just get away from it all and relax. 

Map Of The Nicoya Peninsula

The Nicoya Peninsula is the name for the little hook area of Costa Rica.

This area can be easily accessed from either Liberia International Airport or San Jose.

From San Jose it is easiest to get here by ferry from Puntarenas.

Nicoya Peninsula Weather

The dry season and main tourism season in Costa Rica is from late December until late April. During this time of year you can expect crowds and higher prices in this area. 

This especially applies to the more popular beach town like Montezuma, Samara, and Santa Teresa.

From May until August prices go down a bit, the crowds go home, and the weather turns somewhat rainy.

You can expect afternoon rainstorms to last about one to two hours. 

Rarely will there be a full day of rain.

From August until December prices usually get even lower. At this time of year, you are more likely to experience rainy days.

Keep in mind that a lot of hotels and restaurants close during this season. Tourism is so low that it is often not worth it for them to say open. 

The temperature year-round is usually in the upper 80°F (around 30°C) during the day and dips to about  65° F (19°C) at night.

Year-round the sun rises between 5:15 and 5:45am and sets between 5:30 and 6:00pm. 

Grab a free copy of our Costa Rica guide

puntarenas ferry

Nicoya Peninsula Transportation

There are multiple transportation options to get to and around in The Nicoya region.

We usually suggest renting a car because it will give you the most flexibility in getting around between locations and it will allow you to explore more on your own.

You can book your rental car with a 10% discount plus other great perks here. 

If you are coming from San Jose, the best way to get here is via the ferry. We have a full ferry guide to help you out with that. 

If you are planning on staying at a resort or plan to mostly take day tours with transportation included, it is most likely not necessary to rent a car. 

In this situation, you could opt for a private shuttle.

You can book your private shuttle with our favorite shuttle company here

If you are on a tight budget, the public bus is always an option. Here is the best place for the bus schedule.  

Fun Nicoya Peninsula Activities

All The Nicoya Peninsula Destinations

A popular surfer and backpacker town with some seriously chilled out vibes.

A great place to enjoy long walks on the beach and hiking.

A tiny fishing village that is perfect for getting away from it all.

A medium sized town that is good for surfing and beach activities. This is a good spot for families.

A small town that is popular for yoga, surfing, and it is close to where sea turtles lay their eggs.

A small town with a domestic airport and one of teh few golf courses in teh country.

The town where the ferry lands. A nice spot to visit for a night or two.

Grab a free copy of our Costa Rica guide

Posts About The Nicoya Peninsula

paquera ferry

The Puntarenas Ferry in Costa Rica

Did you know that there is a ferry that can be taken from Puntarenas, Costa Rica to either Paquera or Naranjo on the Nicoya Peninsula?

turtles in costa rica

Sea Turtles in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a prime spot for seeing turtles. We absolutely love that you can see sea turtles in Costa Rica on both the Pacific

You May Also Be Interested in Visting....

here are some other great regions