Not sure what to do in town? Below are some suggestions
ATV, adventure and nature activities, including some hidden gems of the area. You can also click the button below to download a map of the area with key points of interest marked!
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When booking your vehicle, please don’t hesitate to ask us about ATV route recommendations or what types of tours are best to do. We are not just a company, we are your friends and we are here to help.
Recommended tours
Looking for an unforgettable adventure? Join ATValerio’s Tours for a personalized ATV tour through the stunning Nicoya Peninsula. Explore lush tropical forests, breathtaking ocean views, and hidden gems off the beaten path. Our experienced guides will ensure you have a safe and thrilling experience.
If you’re interested in any of these tours, just let us know and we can arrange them!
Cabo Blanco ATV & Hike
The Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve is a historical protected area in Costa Rica known for its unique rainfall patterns, coastal forest, and diverse wildlife. Visitors can observe various species of vertebrates and invertebrates, including hermit crabs, harlequin land crabs, white-tailed deer, pacas, howler and capuchin monkeys, raccoons, coatis, and a variety of birds. This tour is a popular way to explore one of Costa Rica’s natural treasures.
Discover the beauty of nature on this unforgettable tour.
Montezuma ATV & Waterfall Adventure
Discover the hidden gem of Montezuma, a charming coastal town renowned for its breathtaking landscapes. Your adventure wouldn’t be complete without a visit to its world-famous waterfalls.
Immerse yourself in the lush beauty of Montezuma’s hills, pristine beaches, and cascading rivers. The town boasts three stunning waterfalls, each offering a unique experience. The largest, a majestic 24-meter (79-foot) cascade, invites you to take a refreshing dip in its natural pools at the base.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the tranquility and natural beauty of Montezuma’s waterfalls.
ATV Adventure: Local Traditions and Farmlife
Immerse yourself in the authentic heart of Costa Rica on this unforgettable farm tour. Journey back in time to witness the traditional lifestyle of a local farm family. Learn about their customs, traditions, and daily chores as you participate in hands-on activities like milking cows, making fresh cheese, and experiencing the entire sugarcane production process from harvest to refined sugar.
Savor a delicious breakfast prepared with fresh, farm-grown ingredients before embarking on your adventure. The farm is conveniently located approximately 40 minutes from Santa Teresa or Mal Pais. We offer flexible transportation options: you can follow your guide in your own vehicle or opt for our convenient taxi service.
Join us for an authentic and enriching experience that will leave you with lasting memories of Costa Rican culture and rural life.
Famous Beaches ATV Adventure
We will explore these beaches on the ATV tour:
- Cuevas Beach (also known as Secret Beach) in Mal País
- Cedros Beach in Cabuya
- Manchas Beach in Montezuma
- Montezuma’s charming town and beach
- Manzanillo Beach
- Hermosa Beach
Each beach has its unique character, and the routes to reach them are equally breathtaking. If you’re seeking an adventure-filled day of driving an ATV and discovering the stunning beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula, this tour is perfect for you.
In-shore fishing in Mal Pais
Come and experience in-shore fishing in Costa Rica! This is a unique opportunity to go fishing in Mal Pais/ Santa Teresa like a local, and target a variety of species of fish, such as the great roosterfish, Cubera snapper, red snapper, and Mackerel. There are plenty of them just off the shorelines all year round.
They provide you with the professional fishing gear and the bait you will need to ensure your fishing trip is successful. They have the necessary gear to offer 3 different fishing techniques: trolling, casting or deep bottom fishing. Their experienced captain and bilingual guide will recommend the best fishing spot of the day according to their knowledge of the ocean and the weather conditions so you can enjoy an amazing journey.
This tour also gives you the chance to spot some marine wildlife (sea birds, whales, dolphins, etc.) and witness beautiful views of the coastline.
Want to know more? Reach out to Atvalerios today.
Stand up paddle boarding in Mal Pais
In Mal Pais beach you will enjoy Costa Rica’s premier SUP experience. Explore Cabo Blanco National Park from the waters angle, ride the waves around Mal Pais & Santa Teresa, or enjoy the sunset while gliding across the water on a Stand Up Paddle Board.
This offers great views of the coastline.
Want to know more? Reach out to Atvalerios today.
Day trip to Tortuga Island
Cruise on a boat to Tortuga Island and experience one of the best snorkeling tours that Costa Rica offers and enjoy delicious lunch on the white sand beach.
You will start the day taking a 45 minutes boat ride along the coast with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean on the right and the gorgeous landscape of the Nicoya peninsula on the left. During the boat ride, you may enjoy seeing whales, jumping manta rays, dolphins and other marine life frolicking in the ocean.
Once at Tortuga island, the captain will anchor the boat next to volcanic reef surrounded by crystalline waters bursting with sea creatures like the Angelfish, Porcupine fish, Morays, Needlefish, Spotted Eagly Rays, Parrotfish and many more tropical beauties.
After snorkeling the captain will take you to the wonderful White sand Beach of Tortuga Island where drinks and fruits will be waiting while lunch gets ready. For lunch the cook serves fresh BBQ fish or chicken, sautéed vegetables and delicious grilled potatoes.
After lunch the afternoon will be yours to enjoy. On the Island there are some activities you can enjoy like banana boat rides, Jet Ski rentals, SUP, Beach chairs, all for additional fees, and a souvenir shop.
Tortuga Island is a popular day trip to enjoy with the whole family!
Want to know more? Reach out to Atvalerios today.
Whale Watching Adventure
This tour offers an incredible opportunity to witness humpback whales in their natural habitat off the coast of Costa Rica. Departing from Tambor or Mal Pais, the journey takes you through waters where you might encounter dolphins or sea turtles. Upon reaching the whale-watching area, you can marvel at these magnificent creatures as they gracefully swim and interact with their calves. The tour emphasizes responsible whale watching, ensuring minimal disturbance to their natural behavior.
Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is an ideal location for observing humpback whales, with high concentrations near the Nicoya and Osa Peninsulas. The experienced guides prioritize the well-being of the whales, adhering to strict guidelines to minimize their impact and ensure a respectful experience for both humans and whales.
Want to know more? Reach out to Atvalerios today.
Experience the Magic of Bioluminescence
This tour offers an incredible opportunity to experience the magic of bioluminescence in the Nicoya Peninsula. You’ll start with a relaxing boat ride through Tambor Bay, taking in the beautiful mangrove forests (The visit to the mangrove depends on the tide). After a pre-adventure snack and drink, you’ll dive into the bioluminescent waters, creating a mesmerizing trail of light with every movement. Even non-swimmers can enjoy the spectacle from the boat. The best viewing conditions are on nights with minimal moonlight.
Want to know more? Reach out to Atvalerios today.
Tour Curu Wildlife Refuge
Recommended places to explore
If you’re interested in having a guide take you to these places, let us know and we can help arrange it!
Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve
It was founded as the country’s first protected area by the government of Costa Rica on October 21, 1963. The Reserve is of special interest not only because of its historical importance, regeneration patterns and unusual rainfall patterns, but also because of its coastal forest.
Discover the amazing wildlife of the area and enjoy watching many species of vertebrates and invertebrate animals in this magnificent place. Some of the species you will be able to see are the hermit crab and the Harlequin Land Crab. Of course, you can’t miss the mammals such as the white tailed deer, the Pacas, the Howler and Capuchin Monkeys, raccoons, coatis, and a great variety of birds.
This is a very popular tour and one of the treasures of Costa Rica.
Curu wildlife refuge and Hacienda
Curu is a privately protected area that keeps a rich and diverse ecosystem. The refuge is part of a large farm, which combines sustainable agriculture and forest management with the protection of wildlife and nature.
Curu boasts wildlife in five different habitats that range from marine zones and mangroves swamps to tropical dry and moist forests, as well as a farmland. This protected area has and abundance of wildlife hard to find anywhere else in the peninsula.
This protected area provides great opportunities to view lots of animals in the wild such as the Scarlet Macaw, pacas, armadillos, anteaters, howler and capuchin monkeys, and an abundance of birds like woodpeckers, hummingbirds, falcons, warblers, ospreys, toucans, ringed kingfishers and becards.
Montezuma waterfalls and Cabuya
Your visit to the Nicoya Peninsula is not complete without a trip to small beach towns of Montezuma and Cabuya.
Montezuma is world-famous for the beauty of its hills, beaches, rivers and local waterfalls. There are three falls in total, the largest one is 24 meters high (79ft). At the bottom of the falls there are large pools where you can swim and cool off from your ride.
In this case, the combination with the canopy takes you to the heights of the tropical forest in an unforgettable adventure tour with one of the most exiting Zip-lines of the country while enjoying the great views of the tropical forest and pacific ocean.
Playa Cuevas or the "Secret Beach"
Located within Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve it’s one of the prettiest beaches in Costa Rica and it’s a nice escape from Santa Teresa. Playa Cuevas is like its own little oasis with great snorkeling, lots of wildlife and lush tropical forest.
Snorkeling at Playa Cuevas is actually the best in the area. When it’s clear, you can see colorful tropical fish, eels, hermit crabs, lobsters, and sea stars. You’ll need to bring your own snorkel equipment. The other end of the beach is good for snorkeling too since it also has some rocky reefs.
This beach also gets lots of little tide pools which you can see in low tide.
Mal País Tide Pools
The Mal País tide pools, also know as the Mar Azul or El Muelle tide pools. Tidepools are an impressive natural phenomenon, where at low tide, an incredible world of pools become exposed in many areas on the rocks, and the most amazing ones are in Mal País.
As you discover the different tide pools, you’ll notice that each one is different. Some are just a couple of feet wide but four or five feet deep. Others are wider, shallow, and more accessible. Some seem like they were perfectly built for a single person or couple to relax in. Tide pools are usually best and safest to visit and enjoy during low tide. The ocean covers these tide pools at high tide so there are always many sea creatures hiding inside. You can expect to see lots of little tropical fish, crabs, sea slugs, and even some spiky sea urchins. Watch out for these as they have sharp spines.
Depending on the timing of low tide, you can also catch an amazing sunset from these pools. Since you are surrounded by ocean to the north and south, it makes for a unique experience.
Make sure to bring whatever food and drink you will need. We also recommend water shoes, a water shirt, sun hat, and plenty of sunscreen. Because you are getting up close with sea life, it’s a good idea to use a reef-safe sunblock if you can.
Playa hermosa
Located about a 15-minute drive to the town center, Playa Hermosa is the ideal beach to stay for those who are looking for a quieter beach vacation with clean water, soft sand, miles of beach to walk in both directions, tide pools and beautiful sunsets.
If you are looking for waves and for a palm tree to relax after your session, this is the spot. The most popular attraction of Playa Hermosa is the surf, so you won’t have to go far to catch waves.
However, if you are staying in Playa Hermosa, it is highly recommended to rent an ATV in order to get around.
Manzanillo
If you are looking to enjoy for a short dirt road adventure on quad and also to enjoy sunset , this may be a god option, because the coastal road from Santa Teresa to Manzanillo allows you to enjoy the maritime landscape without feeling bored for a minute.
The coastal road from Mal Pais and Santa Teresa ends in Manzanillo. Further north the beach is a protected wildlife reserve for sea turtles and other maritime species. Although you might read and hear about the option to continue driving along the beach to get further north you must not do so. It is against Costa Rican laws and it kills maritime wildlife. You also risk to get stuck or drowning your vehicle in a river or in the upcoming tide.
ATValerios rentals has a fine of $350 if you drive on the beach for breaking the rules of the contract.
Cabuya Island
The Cemetery of Cabuya Island, also known as “Cemetery Island” is a short walk across the rocks of the sea floor at low tide. Twice each day, the ocean will part to allow visitors to take the 15-minute excursion from the mainland beach of Cabuya to where the rocky seafloor trail meets the island. The Cabuya cemetery has been used as a burial ground since the 1700’s. It is still used today, with some of the graves being very recent.
A helpful tips for visiting the Cabuya Cemetery is to get there about an hour before the lowest tide point, because the island is only accessible during low tide. You will be able to walk out without any problems at that time. This will allow you a few hours of time out on the island without having to worry that the tide will come in and you will be stuck. Also, the reef on the far tip of the Cabuya Island is a great spot for snorkeling.
You can park on the side of the road where the road ends. There is nobody watching cars here, so please don’t leave anything of value in your ATV.
Playa Cedros, Cabuya
Playa Los Cedros is another long and sandy beach that changes its look according to the tide conditions. It is a super point break surf spot.
At low tide, you’ll see a lot of rocks. At high tide, you’ll see a perfect, sandy beach stretching 300 yards or so toward Cabuya and a phenomenal right-handed point break. Large schools of fish make Los Cedros a favorite hunting spot for seabirds, especially big pelicans and frigate birds.
A helpful tip for surfing is to go only a few hours before and after high tide. On a good day, it’s truly an epic spot and one of the local preferred surfing spots.
Playa Los Cedros has something for everyone including surfing, snorkeling, hiking or simply relaxing on the uncrowded beach with a light beach read.
Piedra Colorada Beach, River & Waterfalls
If you take the Sendero Verde (Green Trail) from Montezuma Beach, you will discover the unique Piedra Colorada, a cove where a small waterfall forms a freshwater pool ideal for small kids of all ages to swim and play.
Piedra Colorada’s river is ever changing but often creates a large pool for swimming. Hiking further up the river, you’ll find a lovely waterfall to enjoy a natural water massage, smaller swimming pools, and lots of wildlife.
Getting to Piedra Colorada is fairly easy. You basically start at the larger East Montezuma beach and keep following the beach. You will go along a few small trails and then you will see a sign stating you are in the área.
El Arbolito Solitario (Jesus Tree)
A favorite spot for locals, El Arbolito Solitario (Jesus Tree) might be approximately two hundred years old and can be accessed through a curved hiking path close to the fishing village in Tambor.
The coastal trail that takes you from Tambor Beach to El Arbolito is magnificent in it’s own right. From the “muelle” (dock) in Tambor, the beautiful nature trek to The Jesus Tree takes less than an hour at a moderate pace. Its appearance, when the tide is high, is instantly recognizable. Saltwater engulfs the rocks and roots, making the tree seem as if it’s floating on water, all by itself.
The Jesus Tree may also get its name from the fact that its arrival in Tambor is a bit of a mystery: the tree grew in very harsh conditions, and unusually, there are no other trees surrounding it. Journey as you walk in complete peace, hand in hand with Mother Nature. The Jesus Tree awaits.
Playa Cedros, Cabuya
Playa Los Cedros is another long and sandy beach that changes its look according to the tide conditions. It is a super point break surf spot.
At low tide, you’ll see a lot of rocks. At high tide, you’ll see a perfect, sandy beach stretching 300 yards or so toward Cabuya and a phenomenal right-handed point break. Large schools of fish make Los Cedros a favorite hunting spot for seabirds, especially big pelicans and frigate birds.
A helpful tip for surfing is to go only a few hours before and after high tide. On a good day, it’s truly an epic spot and one of the local preferred surfing spots.
Playa Los Cedros has something for everyone including surfing, snorkeling, hiking or simply relaxing on the uncrowded beach with a light beach read.
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Click the button below to download this map, with some of the recommendations listed above already marked for you!
