Driving To Montezuma From Guanacaste/Pacific Beaches

Hey,

I'm trying to map out my itinerary for Costa Rica... Im trying to figure out a way to get to Montezuma without losing a whole day of travel. Im starting the trip with Arenal, then heading west to the beaches, probably Papagayo area, then want to work my way down South. Montezuma seems a bit out of the way, but I'd like to give it a shot. I only have about 10-11 days, so i dont want to spend too much on the road, though, I know that's an adventure in itself.

If anyone has any routes to Montezuma, coming from the Pacific Coast in Guanacaste, that would be great. I was also referred to Samara which is down south as well.

Thank you!

Head on the paved road highway (route 21) to Santa Cruz then south to Nicoya. You can turn off on paved road an extra 35kms to Samara, its easy going. Back to the 21 take the Tempesque Bridge crossing, head for Puntarenas. Here you take the ferry to Paquera and its a relatively easy drive to Montezuma. Nice journey, great scenery, not difficult.

You will lose a lot of time when you go to Puntarenas, go from Nicoya down to Naranjo, I know the road has many potholes but it's faster. From Naranjo to Paquera is an unpaved road (30km) , but in good shape. From Paquera head down to Montezuma. I've done this trip from Santa Cruz in 4.5 hours.

costaklaus, I agree that overall the route you suggest is faster, but in June the section from Naranjo to Paquera was in pretty bad shape 15-20kph in a lot of stretches.

Thanks for all the tips! We are going at the end of November. I hope the roads will be better off by then, we'll play that by ear. Sounds like quite the adventure though!

:)

Thats a big trip no matter how you slice it. I agree about the bad section on the way in Rainy season is a dicey...its gonna be a 7 hour trip at the least....

Papagayo to Nicoya is 3 hours, if all goes well, Nicpoya to Montezuma, is 3 hours if all goes perfect.

Ya its a trek for sure...but think it'll be worth it!

Would it be worth it to visit Papagayo and skip the Tamarindo area...or skip Papagayo and stay more in the central coast...therefore being closer to the drive to Nicoya?

Papagayo is mainly luxury hotels taking advanced bookings. Head south of there.

Fair hack that is, quite possibly all day driving!!
I would think of stopping 'halfway' for a night or 2.

MONTEZUMA BEACH