Southeastern Peninsula

Introducing Southeastern Peninsula

Locally known as Nandayure, the southeastern peninsula is the least developed region in the Nicoya, and traditionally the most difficult one to access. In the past, arriving at the southern tip of the peninsula to catch the afternoon swell at Mal País or a sunset spliff at Montezuma involved a combination of dusty bus rides and sluggish ferries – but not anymore. These days, even ‘one-weekers’ are including a day or two in Nandayure on their whirlwind tours, aided in part by the speedboats that now race across the Gulf of Nicoya from Jacó to Montezuma.

As in the rest of the peninsula, Ticos in this region primarily live rural lives centered on agriculture and ranching, though the recent influx of travelers has created a number of jobs in the tourism market. Although the coastline here is still comparatively underdeveloped, the government is pegging Nandayure as the next hot destination, and you can bet that people are listening.

Last updated: Apr 1, 2009