Also, if you would like to share any tips for visiting the falls with other travelers, we always love to hear those as well! We created this blog, Gamintraveler, to share our stories as they unfold daily, creating about travel and destination guides, sharing our digital nomad life, in hopes to inspire you to build a lifestyle you don . However, I only recommend visiting the lower falls on the free trail. The Canopy route and the easier Riverbed Trail. Montezuma Falls: Address, Phone Number, Montezuma Falls Reviews: 4.5/5, Between his break in his paid tours, Carlos offered to guide us up the. If you are staying in nearby surfer beach town Santa Teresa you can rent an ATV there and ride over to Montezuma to visit the waterfalls. Snacks If you plan on checking out all the falls and want to do some swimming, you may want a few snacks. Some of the trails can get a little treacherous, and having proper footwear is essential to this type of day trip. If you plan on taking the free trail up to the upper falls, it should take you another 15 minutes. . Any cover you get above that is extra. After this you'll get back on the ATV and visit several more towns, beaches, and then the waterfall. If you opt to access the trails from the Mariposario Butterfly Gardens you will pay about $2 to park your car in their lot. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Ruben and Rachel, Travel and Digital Nomad Blog - Gamintraveler He guided us back and introduced himself as Crazy Carlos. Thank you Lorenzo. Canopy tour or Ziplane tour in Montezuma very closed to Santa Teresa is the only Canopy in the region, with an amazing view of the Montaints and forest, +506 6156 3829 . The man, the myth, the legend! We swam at the top waterfall. " Jun 2023 Between his break in his paid tours, Carlos offered to guide us up the challenging hike- over slippery rocks and acro. The hike is complete with two hanging bridges from the top of the forest, a few rocks to climb, and some flat areas, which make it ideal for beginner hikers! Swimming In Montezuma Waterfall You can swim in the Montezuma waterfall and people even jump from it. Most water crossings are about knee-deep, so even waterproof boots wont help. Visit the beautiful Montezuma Waterfalls in Costa Rica 9.7. But regardless of how you get to the town, theres no avoiding the extremely steep, extremely narrow descent from the hills to Montezuma Beach. (Dont take the hard route.). This is a private, well-maintained path that actually crosses suspension bridges making it well worth the money. You can access the falls from above at SunTrails. I was driving an AWD SUV and I wasnt certain the car would make it back up the hill when I left Montezuma. If you get stuck overnight, Cbano has a few hotels and plenty of restaurants. 34.23395, -118.29118. Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. Have you been there in August? Guide to Costa Rica's most popular park, Whale Watching in Costa Rica: Everything you need to know, Canaima Chill House Review: The BEST hotel in Santa Teresa. Yes,SunTrailsis a company that not only offers guided tours to the waterfalls, but they also offer tours to other areas such as Tortuga Island and Cabo Blanco. We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. After hiking up 100 stairs for roughly 10 minutes, you will reach a checkpoint with a small structure. Cristina. However, to get to the other waterfalls, youre going to need to keep walking. Admission is $7 per person and includes a detailed intro explaining all things butterflies! Canopy Ziplane Tour Montezuma Santa Teresa - Paquera Costa Rica Nobody wants to spend more on their flight to Costa Are you dreaming of a romantic, intimate wedding surrounded by tropical beauty? Though the town is small, Montezuma has a lot to offer the explorers and adventurers at heart. The waterfalls are actually part of the Rio Montezuma or Montezuma River and are one of the last sections of the river before it runs into the ocean. We parked in the lot for 5$ and the old guy there makes you feel your vehicle is secure. To start coverage you must purchase it after leaving your home country. They have spent many years figuring out the best way to climb up and how to jump properly. The river bed tends to dry out and you can easily navigate up the rocks. There is also a back-road route between the towns, but its very dangerous with multiple river fords. Related Read: Looking for more adventure! Hotel in Montezuma (0.6 miles from Montezuma Waterfall) Located in Montezuma, 0.8 mi from Montezuma Beach, Aves Hotel Montezuma provides accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a fitness center and a garden. Youve come to the right place! $$ - $$$ Seafood Mediterranean European, $$ - $$$ International Central American Costa Rican, $$ - $$$ Seafood International Central American, $ Seafood Central American Costa Rican, $$ - $$$ Latin Seafood Mediterranean, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. All opinions are always our own. That being said, this is very much a one-way section of trail. The advantage to using this entrance is easier parking. The two beach towns are only a few kilometers away from one another and visiting the Montezuma Waterfalls from Santa Teresa makes a great day trip. He was kind and patient with our group. It gets super hot and you will find yourself getting dehydrated quickly. The waves and currents are pretty strong here, so swimming isn't recommended. Shuttles are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. In the town of Montezuma, you can enjoy a delicious lunch (Not included in the price. Keep an eye out for hidden strainers (logs, rocks or other underwater obstacles that can trap you underwater). Crazy Carlos is the man! Yes! Getting there early in the morning is best if you want to avoid crowds. Santa Teresa Costa Rica Guide + Best Things to Do In my opinion, if youre short on time, you only need to visit the Lower Falls. Its gradually improving, but one wrong turn in this region and you could end up on a pretty dodgy, very steep, 44-only-even-in-dry-season road. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. It is also famous for its waterfall, the Montezuma waterfall. Loved the hike up by and over the River, and then to arrive at the falls and have a lovely cool swim. There are plenty of delicious restaurants within the downtown area. However, if you access this way you will miss out on the hanging bridges. There is a small grocery store in downtown Montezuma. We took this Riverbed route when we visited. Be sure to take advantage of the guide ropes provided in hard-to-reach areas along the trail! There are no lifeguards at any of the falls, so you should be a confident swimmer if you want to enter the water. Sometimes, there is an employee from SunTrails there to collect $2 USD (1,000 Colones) per person if you want to proceed with the rest of the trail. The Upper Falls are a nice add-on if you have half a day or longer but theyre not super impressive on their own. Santa Teresa, Costa Rica: The Nicoya Town with Beautiful Beaches Show more. You can reach Montezumaentirely on paved roads. 3:00 PM Pickup At 9 am and 3 pm: 15 minutes before the tour time, at our office in Montezuma town. Of course, bring a roomy, yet sturdy backpack to carry all of your items. There is nothing more refreshing and rewarding than taking a dip in the beautiful pools below each waterfall. A towel- This is not absolutely necessary, but we were happy to have our microfiber towel in our bag to dry off a bit before our walk back from the falls. Its quiet neighbor, Mal Pas, boasts stunning sunsets and undeveloped beaches. Montezuma beach is one of our absolute favorite beaches in all of Costa Rica. I thought he either robbed Thomas or Thomas hadnt paid him and he took off. This town has a more laid-back, bohemian feel than Santa Teresa. The free trail runs up the side of the hill in front of the lower waterfalls (if youre facing the waterfall, it will be behind you.) The Mariposario Butterfly Gardens is also home to Butterfly Brewing Company. Afterwards San lead us back to the parking lot (about 4km steep hike down). Starting from the Montezuma Trailhead, you can reach Montezuma Falls in about 20 minutes. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If you're down for adventure and some treacherous hiking (which we did not expect), I heavily recommend the Montezuma Falls. Hermosa Beach and Manzanillo Beach are even more less-frequented. If you have any questions about visiting the Montezuma waterfall please leave them in the comment section below. 7.5 miles. The water runs from deep in the nearby mountains, so it is not only clean, but refreshing. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. There are no specific opening and closing hours here, so come whenever! Towering, emerald-green mountains as a backdrop. Your first step is getting from the mainland to the Nicoya Peninsula. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable. Also we wandered through the Saturday market in the central square. From bat caves to secret beaches, this tour is full of jaw-dropping highlights that you'll remember for years to come. Like any hike in Costa Rica, youll want to be prepared for hot, humid and potentially rainy conditions on this hike. Coastal Trips: 5 hours from 8am until 1pm on the Just For Fun Boat. We gave him a generous tip (20000 colons) and said that it was too much. - SAVE 10% PLUS OTHER PERKS , Accessing the Falls from Downtown Montezuma, Important Tips for Visiting the Montezuma Waterfall, Tom Brady also jumped off the middle falls, Check out our Full Costa Rica National Park Packing, The Complete Guide to Costa Rica Waterfalls, Snorkeling Costa Rica A Fun Activity for All Ages, Cheap Flights to Costa Rica: Get the Best Deals, Costa Rica Elopement: Plan Your Dream Ceremony. We (4 teens and 3 adults) went to Montezuma Falls just before Thanksgiving. Its undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips! Be sure to leave the falls no later than 4:30. One of the most popular attractions of the Southern Nicoya Peninsula, . This is what you'll see when you hike to Montezuma Waterfall in Costa Rica. Grab your board and prepare to hang ten Santa Teresa, Costa Rica is world famous for surfing and good vibes. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Carrie Mann and Trains,Planes and Tuk Tuks with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Though the lower waterfall is free to the public, the upper and middle ones require a small fee ($2-$4 per person), so bring some cash in Colones if you can. There are two options: the bridge on Route 18, or the ferry that runs from Puntarenas to Paquera. Of course, if you are an inexperienced hiker, it may take slightly longer for you. There are three separate falls in the Montezuma area, about 15.9 km (just under 10 miles) east of Santa Teresa. A rough trail leads up the river for approximately 20 minutes. Your email address will not be published. A dry bag We suggest putting all your valuable electronics in a dry bag if you plan to cross the river or want to swim under the falls. Youll often arrive earlier by driving Route 18. Savannah Xtreme Tours. I hope this blog has answered all of your questions about visiting Montezuma Waterfalls. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small commission when you use the links and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. There is definitely a laid back, surfer, backpacker, hippie . how much does it cost to hire crazy carlos? We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past. Montezuma Waterfall in Costa Rica: The ULTIMATE hiking guide Just check the signs carefully there are time limits on most spots. Read our. These leave roughly every two hours between 5 am and 7 pm. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. This trail is well maintained, and as such, they have a fee to use it. Lots of restaurant choices, we had a nice post walk drink at the place by the bridge, where the river meets the beach. Montezuma Waterfalls are located on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, on the Nicoya Peninsula. I recommend visiting during the dry season, from December-April. You can change at the trailhead, but once you reach the Lower Falls youll have a hard time finding a private spot in the woods to change. You will then need to walk down a lot of steps to get to the lower fall. This waterfall is also the biggest fall of the three and is the easiest to get to. Thank you. Overall, we believe 3-5 hours is plenty of time to explore all that Montezuma Waterfalls has to offer! Alternatively, you can peer over the edge of the swimming hole from the Upper Falls. 11Dec Picture this: A small beach village on the Pacific Coast. Best Things To Do in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica - Salt in our Hair Travel It is an easy 40-minute drive from Santa Teresa to get to the picturesque beach village of Montezuma on the southeastern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. Id recommend wearing your swimsuit under your clothing. With that said, please take extreme caution if you are planning to jump from the cliffs. With that said, I would lean more towards Casitas Sollevante simply because of the view from the pool. Our guide ended up doing entertainment for all the folks who were there! It was a truly wonderful day that ended at Butterfly Brewery (also awesome and worth a stop) with Carlos buying my husband and me a shot to toast a great day with him. To reach the entrance, drive past the main parking area and continue up the hill. Although, I felt like it was an unexpected episode of Survivor, once we reached the 2nd waterfall it was all worth it! You could stop for a quick hike and swim as you beach-hop around the Nicoya Peninsula, or bring a picnic and spend half a day or longer lounging at the falls. Reserve your visit today. This tour begins in Santa Teresa where you will drive along the coast and through the mountains in a biological passage where they will be able to observe different species of the area until they reach the beautiful small town of Cabuya, where they will discover paradisiacal and secret beaches, as well as the island cemetery if the low tide allows it. There is a faint trail. The most common domestic route is a 40-minute scheduled flight from San Jose, though flights from other destinations are available by private charter. We travelled around CR for 11 days, and this is one of our best memories. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. A great guide for Montezuma Waterfall in Costa Rica. Your only realistic option to get to Montezuma is to begin in San Jose. Sarah McArthur is the co-founder of Costa Rica Vibes with her husband, Thomas. Packing List + What To Wear In Costa Rica, Rio Celeste Waterfall in Tenoria Valcano Natioanl Park, Rio Celeste Waterfall, Tenorio Volcano Nationalpark, The Best Natural Hot Springs In Costa Rica, Tabacon Hot Springs Day Pass, Hours, Price, The Springs Resort Arenal Hot Springs Day Pass, Climbing The Monteverde Hollow Ficus Tree & Natural Tree Root Bridge, 18 Unique Things To Do In Costa Rica & Most Beautiful Places To Visit, Hike To La Fortuna Waterfall, Costa Rica Price, Hours, Tours & Photos, Disclaimer Terms Of Service Affiliate Disclosure . Getting to the lower falls from here should be done by the Sun Trail Tours trail, which is a series of steps and takes 5 to 10 minutes. The Riverbed trail is about a quarter of a mile from downtown Montezuma and is very walkable. It is not recommended to dive or jump off the rocks here, because if you fall, youll probably hit the rocks instead of the water. If youre staying in Samara, Nosara or Tamarindo, save this waterfall for a future trip. But the main reason this is the best time to go is the roads, especially if you have your own car. If you plan on swimming, wear your swimsuit and bring a towel. From Cbano, take a left on Route 624 to reach Montezuma. Known for its lush rainforests, a trio of majestic waterfalls, and deep pools, the waterfalls and trails of Montezuma are not to be missed. You can swim in the Montezuma waterfall and people even jump from it. If you happen to prefer driving, parking unofficially costs 1,000 Colones per day. The localwhite-faced capuchin monkeysare infamous pickpockets! You may see locals doing this, but that does not mean it is safe for you. There were several tourists and local jumping from various spots making for a bit of a show. In this post, Ill give you all the details to plan your trip to Montezuma Waterfall! However you choose to get there, the Montezuma Waterfalls are truly worth visiting. There are also options to do a guided tour (including transport) and to combine your waterfall visit with a zipline tour. A local guy offered to help us cross. We were too tired to trek further and were happy to sit and enjoy the early morning birds and trickling water. #1 of 11 things to do in Montezuma Waterfalls Visit website Write a review What people are saying " Montezuma Falls Crazy Carlos is the BEST!! If youre lucky enough to snag a spot, youll pay 1,000 colones for secure parking. Once you see it, cross the river using the rocks and then begin climbing the steps. The most important detail, is that you should look for Crazy Carlos, the tour guide waiting for you in the parking lot near the bridge. SunTrails is a local tour company that owns the property abutting the Montezuma river waterfalls. "I'm usually a sucker for waterfall trails, but this hike had beautiful views of the city that made." more. We recommend leaving at 5 a.m. when you will find jungle animals scampering [] One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. We opted to go all the way down to the falls with the big pool. Go find him. Montezuma waterfalls - ATV Tours & Rentals Santa Teresa - Malpais The Montezuma Falls hike is located on the Nicoya Peninsula, in the town of Montezuma. Follow our adventures on Instagram! Even if its rainy, the hike is so short that you dont absolutely need a rain jacket if you dont mind getting a bit wet. Thrill-seekers who want to jump from heights into a waterfall pool can do so up above at pools two and three. @piscoandbier, Costa Rica Packing List & Outfits To Wear, The Best Waterfalls In Costa Rica & MapHike To La Fortuna Waterfall, Costa RicaRio Celeste Waterfall, Tenorio Volcano NationalparkLlanos de Cortes Waterfall In GuanacasteMontezuma Waterfalls Near Santa Teresa, The Best Natural Hot Springs In Costa RicaTabacon Hot Springs Day Pass, Hours, PriceThe Springs Resort Arenal Hot Springs Day PassRio Negro Hot Springs & Mud Bath, Review: Tabacon Thermal Resort & SpaReview: The Springs Resort And SpaBest Hotels In Montezuma, Costa Rica.