Curu Wildlife Reserve

Every day from 7am- 3pm. Cost: $ 8 per person per day.
Reservations: 2641-0100 / www.curuwildliferefuge.com

For eco-tourists and animal lovers the Curu Wildlife Reserve is one of the highlights of the Nicoya Peninsula. In a tropical paradise environment visitors are almost guaranteed to see lots of animals in the wild.

Curu also connects to the Biological Corridor of the Nicoya Peninsula. When driving on the road from Paquera to Tambor you will pass through a heavily forested part with giant trees. It is the broad strip of forest allowing animals to migrate between Curu and the mountainous interiors of the peninsula. Drive slowly and watch out for animals on the road.

Barra Honda Caves
National Park

Barra Honda is unique among the National Parks of Costa Rica: its main attraction is an intricately large system of limestone caverns which house a multitude of capricious forms and figures.

The caves of Barra Honda were only explored in the late 60ies and until now only 19 of the 42 caves have been surveyed.

People before believed that Barra Honda was a volcano because they misinterpreted the whirring of bat wings for volcanic activity and the aroma of guano for sulfur. The bat's cave, Pozo Hediondo (Fetid Cave), is home to thousands of these flying mammals. Half an hour after sunset clouds of bats surge from their underground dwellings to fly out into the night.

Reservations. Ranger Station: 659-1551 / act.barrahonda@sinac.go.cr

Montezuma

Montezuma is a long-time favourite for travelers in Costa Rica. The picturesque little town is famed for its bohemian flair and the stunning beauty of the surrounding nature.

The town's center feels like the cozy open-air living room of the community where a continuous mellow party takes place. Just sit down in some bar or eatery and watch the scenery: rastafarians, hippies, tourists and beauties with eccentric tattoos and piercings catwalk amongst the colorful stands of itinerant artists who are chatting and joking with their friends.

Surf in Santa Teresa

The beaches of Malpais and Santa Teresa rank among the best surf spots in Costa Rica. There are a variety of world-class breaks with ideal conditions and water temperatures throughout the year.

The main surf beach, Playa Carmen, is on the border between Malpais and Santa Teresa. It has a good set of sand bars that offer some nice lefts and slightly longer rights. As with all beach breaks, the sand bars can change overnight.

The break of Playa Carmen is popular with long-boarders but you can always find a few hot short-boarders pulling tail slides, aerials and 360s.
Rip tides and beach breaks at Playa Carmen are less powerful than in other surf spots of the Costa Rican Pacific, making the surf suitable for beginners to learn on.

The waves tend to get heavier, faster and steeper as you head north towards Playa Santa Teresa. Here it is easier to find your own uncrowded peak but you should be careful for submerged rocks in the sea.

Overview of Surf Spots

Surf in Malpais:
El Carmen: A long right and a shorter left, surfing over sand. It is the best break for beginners learning to surf.

Punta Barrigona: A reef break with a long lefthander which wraps round the point turning into a great hot dog wave as it moves through the inside. Needs a lot of swell to work properly.

Los Suecos: Another lefthander reef break with a fast take off followed by a long workable wall. Gets hollow with size and offshore winds but does also need a good swell to work.
Santa Teresa: Usually bigger and more hollow than Playa Carmen. The surf is better on low tide when waves tend to be faster.

Playa Hermosa: Beach break, lefts and rights. A long sandy beach, rather uncrowded. Another new thrill here is kite surfing.

Manzanillo: The reef is offshore at the north end of the beach. Very fickle wave which needs a lot of swell to work.

For detail information visit www.nicoyapeninsula.com