Cabuya, Costa Rica: Nicoya Peninsula Beach Village Guide

Should You Visit Cabuya?

Cabuya is a small peaceful village, but despite that, there are plenty of things to do nearby. This is actually our favorite area in the country. It just has a different vibe than every other area of the country.

So, in our opinion, yes it is worth visiting.

Montezuma would be our top pick if you want to be in the area, but want more of a downtown area with some restaurants and shops.

If you are interested in surfing, yoga, and tons of things happening; then head to Santa Teresa.

Cabuya is for those of you looking for all the peaceful beach vibes.

Cabuya Weather

Like most of the country, the dry season here runs from mid-December until April or May.

In early May the rainy season usually begins. 

From May until August, you can expect some afternoon rainstorms, however, we once visited in early August and we didn’t have any rain during the four days we were there. You just never know!

From mid-August until December a lot of things close down because the weather can be really rainy.

We visited one year in late September and it rained every day but the next year we visited at the same time and had perfect weather. 

It’s impossible to predict.

• Sun Rise: Between 5:20 am (June) and 5:50 am (December)
• Sun Set: Between 5:20 pm (Dec.) and 6:00 pm (June)
• Average Day Time Temperature: 77 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (25 to 35 °C)
• Average Night Time Temperature: 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 25 °C)

Check out our guide to Costa Rica Weather by Month for more info

Pro Tip: If traveling during the rainy season just ignore the weather forecast. They often predict rain all day and that is just not true. 

Cabuya Transportation

Here are all the transportation options in this area.

Flights to Cabuya

Cabuya is accessible from both the Liberia Internation Airport and the San Jose International Airport. 

More and more airlines are starting service to Liberia so check out the rates. It may be worth it for you.

If you haven’t booked your flight yet, we suggest using Skyscanner. We consistently find the best rates through their website.

Check out our guides:

• Liberia International Airport: Guide to Arrivals and Departures
• Renting a Car from Liberia Airport
• San Jose International Airport: Guide to Arrivals and Departures
• Renting a Car from the San Jose International Airport

Transportation to Cabuya

From either the San Jose or Liberia Airport, there are a few different ways you can get here.

We suggest renting your car with our favorite Costa Rica rental car company, Adobe. They have an office at the Liberia Airport and at the San Jose Airport. 

We suggest them because they are upfront with their prices, have excellent customer service, and are a great local company.

They have kindly given us a 10% discount plus other great perks to pass on to you. 

⤷ Book Your Rental Car with Adobe

You do not need a 4×4 to get to Cabuya, but it is suggested. The road from Montezuma to Cabuya is unpaved and a lot of the side roads are hilly, involve river crossings, and are unpaved.

At a minimum, we suggest renting an SUV for decent clearance. 

Transportation in Cabuya

Once you arrive in Cabuya you will need transportation to get to fun activities. Here is our opinion on that….

We always suggest renting a car because it gives you the most flexibility.

Most activities are located within a thirty-minute drive of downtown.

As we mentioned above, you don’t need a 4×4 vehicle, but an SUV with decent clearance is best.

Also, if you plan to drive to Mal Pais or Santa Teresa, it is best to go around rather than through the road at Mal Pais. If you go by Mal Pais you will need to do river crossings, which are mostly impossible during the rainy season. 

Things to Do in Cabuya

Here are the best activities to do near Cabuya.

Visit Cabuya Island Cemetery

The Cabuya Cemetery is located on an island that is accessible by walking from the mainland during low tide. This cemetery has some very unusual gravestones and is an interesting place to walk around.

Check out the Cabuya Cemetery Guide for More Info

Hike at Cabo Blanco Reserve

Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve is located at the very southern tip of Cabuya.

The hike is mostly flat, but a bit strenuous due to the heat. However, you will be rewarded with this beautiful spot pictured above.

🌴 Check out our guide to Cabo Blanco Reserve for more info 🌴

Go Beach Hopping

There are a lot of really nice beaches in Cabuya and the surrounding area.

All beaches in Costa Rica need to have free public access by law. That means the entire coastline is yours to explore.

We like to just hop in our rental car and drive to see what cool spots we can find.

In Cabuya you should visit Playa Cabuya and Playa Los Cedros.

Soak in a River Pool

In Cabuya there is a river, called Rio Lajas, that creates a nice pool to soak in. I marked it on Google Maps for you here.

Take a Day Trip to Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa is the most popular beach town in the area. On a map, Cabuya and Santa Teresa appear to be very close together. However, we don’t suggest attempting the direct road between the two towns unless you have a 4-wheels drive vehicle and only during dry season. During the rainy season the rivers get to high and this area is not easy to pass.

Santa Teresa is a popular surfing and yoga town with a lot of fun shops and restaurants.

Check out our Complete Guide to Santa Teresa for more info

Swim Under the Montezuma Waterfalls

The Montezuma Waterfalls are just a short drive from Cabuya. There are two entry points to see the three cascading falls.

We recommend accessing from downtown Montezuma to get to the biggest waterfall that you can swim under.

Check out our guide to the Montezuma Waterfalls for more info

Take a Day Trip to Isla Tortuga

From downtown Montezuma, you can arrange a day trip by boat out to Isla Tortuga.

Isla Tortuga is a remote, uninhabited island with white sand beaches and turquoise waters.

This trip also includes snorkeling and lunch.

Check out our Guide to Isla Tortuga for more info

Walk the Montezuma Beach

From downtown Montezuma walk north on the beach. You can walk this beach for hours and will be treated to a walk through a nature reserve as well as this beautiful waterfall flowing into the ocean.

For more info check out our guide to The Montezuma Beach Walk

Go Bioluminescent Kayaking

Have you ever experienced bioluminescence? In Paquera (where the ferry lands) it is possible to see bioluminescence year-round (but is is best at a new moon).

The best company for a bioluminescent kayak tour is Bahia Rica Adventures.

Just note that this experience does not include transportation, so you will need to drive yourself to where the adventure starts.

Check Availability and Book Your Bioluminescent Tour

Visit Curu Reserve

Curu Reserve is a lesser visited hiking area near the town of Paquera. From Cabuya it will take you about an hour to drive here. There are a variety of hiking trails where you can see wildlife and a beautiful beach.

Check out our guide to Curu Reserve for more info

Hotels

Here are the best hotels in Cabuya. For more options nearby, check out our guide to the best hotels in Montezuma.

Some other great options are….

• Jungle Lodge at Wild Sun Rescue Center: A beautiful hotel with infinity pool and views of the coast. Additionally, if you would like a volunteer opportunity, they are currently looking for volunteers in their wildlife rescue center. Get the details here.
• Villas Cabuya Beach & Jungle: Simple (but nice) accommodation option with a pool. Each unit has a private kitchenette area, so you can prepare basic meals here. They offer a family room that can sleep up to 6 guests.
• Coyote Rooms: This place has a bit of a boutique feel to it. They offer rooms with shared or private bathrooms. There isn’t a pool here, but you can easily walk to the ocean.
• Calala Lodge: A beautiful jungle hotel consisting of private bungalows that can sleep up to 5 guests. There is a pool on the property.

Vacation Packages

Take the planning, stress, and guesswork out of traveling by booking a multi-day tour with an experienced guide.

For more tour ideas check out Tour Radar

Restaurants in Cabuya

A lot of restaurants in Costa Rica do not have websites, so the best way to find places is through TripAdvisor.

• La Selva Cerveza: If you are interested in craft beer, definitely come here! They brew their own beers on tap and also have a few other beers throughout the country available. They don’t serve food here.
• Panaderia Cabuya Cafeteria: My favorite place to eat in Cabuya. They serve up a variety of great bakery type items as well as typical Costa Rican meals, salads, pasta etc.
• Salon el Higueron: We like to come here for pizza, but they also serve things like fish dishes as well. The atmosphere here is typically very lively in the evenings.
• Arrecife Cabuya: This is a new restaurant that we haven’t been to yet, but we have heard really great things about it. So, check it out and report back 😉

Cabuya Safety Tips

I have always felt really safe in Cabuya. I really don’t think you need to worry too much here.

Your biggest safety concern should be petty theft. To combat that we suggest:

• Keep your valuables secure and refrain from openly displaying expensive items. 
• A lot of restaurants are open-air. Don’t leave your cell phone out on the table or your purse just hanging on the back of your chair.
• Dressing in a relaxed way will also help you blend in.

If something happens, the emergency number in Costa Rica is 9-1-1. You should be able to get a police officer who speaks English if you need.

Also, always purchase travel insurance. It doesn’t just cover injury but also helps if things get stolen. Our go-to travel insurance company for Costa Rica is a company called Heymondo. They are great!

Their comprehensive plans offer 24/7 assistance, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, lost baggage coverage, assistance in case of medical issues, as well as the option to add-on adventure activity coverage. 

↳ Get Your Travel Insurance Quote

Packing for Cabuya

In general, Cabuya is a really relaxed town. There is no need for nice clothing unless you plan on going to a fancy restaurant.

We suggest packing mostly beach gear and stuff for hiking. When possible, opt for fast-drying clothes that don’t wrinkle easily. 

Don’t forget your rain gear during rainy season!

• We suggest carrying your stuff in a large backpack instead of a suitcase if possible. The Osprey 55L is great if you are only bringing a carry-on (take the small bag part off for under your seat) and the Osprey 75L is our go-to for checking in a bag.
• Teva Voya Flip Flops for men and for women: The roads her unpaved and can be uneven in spots. If you want to wear sandals while walking here, make sure they have a good sole like Teva’s.
• Columbia Bora Bora Sun Hat: This hat is slightly nerdy, but great for blocking the sun, folding up small in your luggage, and is made of breathable fabric.
• Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Lotion: Hopefully you don’t get sunburned, but if you do, this stuff is a lifesaver.
• Hero Microfiber Towel: Most hotels will have towels for showering, but not for the beach. Microfiber towels dry quickly and can easily fit in your luggage.
• Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen: SPF 50 because the sun is powerful. We like Sun Bum because they are reef-safe.
• LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle: It is safer to buy bottled water. We like LifeStraw to filter out any extra bacteria or impurities.

Check out our Costa Rica Essential Packing List for more must-bring items

Cabuya Travel Tips

• The main language in Costa Rica is Spanish. Cabuya is remote so you can’t really expect that everyone will speak English here. However, most people in tourism speak some English.
• Some places here may not accept credit cards. It’s a good idea to carry cash in US dollars or Costa Rican colones.
• We have noticed that sometimes tourists get frustrated in Cabuya because tours don’t begin on time and things aren’t always organized as you might be used to. Keep in mind that Costa Rica is the land of Pura Vida. People take everything in stride and relaxed. You might need to adopt a bit of that attitude while here.