Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [261]
YOGA
Daily yoga classes (8811-7582; www.montezumayoga.com; per person US$12, private session US$40) are offered at the open-air studio at Hotel Los Mangos.
Classes can also be organized at Ylang-Ylang Beach Resort and through Devaya Yoga (8833-5086).
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Tours
Tour operators around town rent everything from snorkeling gear to body boards and bikes. Prices vary depending on the season, and it pays to shop around. They can also arrange speed-boat transfers to Jacó as well as private shuttle transfers (also known as the ‘Gringo Bus’).
The most popular tour is a boat trip to Isla Tortuga, which costs around US$40 a person and should include lunch, fruit, drinks and snorkeling gear. Although the island is certainly beautiful, travelers complain that the whole outing feels like a tourist circus, especially during high season when the entire island is full of boat tours.
Another popular excursion is to take a guided hike (US$55) or a half-day horseback ride (US$50) to nearby Cabo Blanco.
The following three tour operators are recommended:
Cocozuma Traveller (2642-0911; www.cocozumacr.com; 24hr)
Montezuma EcoTours (2642-0467; www.ecotoursmontezuma.com; 8am-9pm)
Zuma Tours (2642-0024; www.zumatours.net; 24hr)
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Festivals & Events
Keep an eye out for posters advertising special events, as there always seems to be something going on in town.
Festival de Arte Chunches de Mar (www.chunchesdemar.com) This arts festival brings together artists and musicians to camp on the beach for one month – note that exact dates change every year, but it is usually organized during high season – and create art together from found objects.
Montezuma International Film Festival (www.montezumafilmfestival.com) Usually held in November, this is a great excuse to celebrate the arts in Montezuma before high season kicks in.
THE MONTEZUMA WATERFALL
A 20-minute stroll south of town takes you to a set of three scenic waterfalls. The main attraction here is to climb the second set of falls and jump in. Though countless people do this every day, be aware that even though there is a warning sign, about half a dozen people have died attempting this.
The first waterfall has a good swimming hole, but it’s shallow and rocky and not suitable for diving. From here, if you continue on the well-marked trail that leads around and up, you will come to a second set of falls. These are the ones that offer a good clean leap (from 10m up) into the deep water below. To reach the jumping point, continue to take the trail up the side of the hill until you reach the diving area. Do not attempt to scale the falls. The rocks are slippery and this is how most jumpers have met their deaths. From this point, the trail continues up the hill to the third and last set of falls. Once again, these aren’t that safe for jumping. However, there is a rope swing that will drop you right over the deeper part of the swimming hole (just be sure to let go on the out-swing!).
A lot of travelers enjoy the thrill, but as with anything of this nature, you undertake it at your own risk. To get there, follow the main Montezuma road south out of town and then take the trail to the right after Hotel La Cascada, past the bridge. You’ll see a clearly marked parking area for visitors (₡1000 per car) and the beginning of the trail that leads up.
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Sleeping
The high season gets crowded, though with so many hotels dotting such a small town you’re bound to find something. Note that some hotels have a three-night minimum during Christmas and Easter weeks.
BUDGET
All of the following hotels have shared cold-water showers unless otherwise stated. Be careful with your stuff – travelers frequently complain about theft from hotel rooms