Cabuya, Montezuma

From Montezuma southwards a scenic road goes along the beach to Cabuya and on to the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve.

River bathing near Montezuma

The road first passes by steep-sided jungle with huge boulders swathed in the roots of strangler figs and vines. Small rivers tumble down the slopes and empty into the ocean forming natural pools large enough for swimming.

After two kilometers you get to Playa Las Manchas, a luxurious white-sand beach with turquoise clear water which is perfect for snorkeling and swimming.

A little bit further comes Playa Los Cedros, the best surf spot around Montezuma. The sandy beach is framed by palms and almond trees and stretches all the way until Cabuya.

Map of Cabuya :

Hyperlinks to hotels are marked in orange color

There are usually very few people on this stretch of coastline, instead you will see big crowds of pelicans diving for fish, and frigate birds sailing over your head.

A bridge leads over the Rio Lajas. Egrets, herons and kingfishers are regulars to the river and its estuary. You can hang around in the warm riverbed and watch the wildlife, or hike 3 kilometers up the river to a small cascade.

Strangler fig on the way to Cabuya

Shortly after the Rio Lajas you will spot an impressive natural monument: the renowned strangler fig of Cabuya, one of the biggest in Costa Rica.

Entrance to the cemetery of Cabuya Island

7 km after Montezuma you reach the quaint little village of Cabuya. From here it is only 2 km to the Cabo Blanco Reserve.

A rare attraction of Cabuya is the small cemetery island (Isla de Cabuya), a few hundred meters off the coast. In pre-Columbian times the Indians used the island as a burial ground, and to this day, funerals are held here.

At low tide it is possible to walk to the island over the rocks to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere with views of the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve.

View across Cabuya with Cemetery Island

The reef on the extreme tip of the Cabuya island is one of the best spots for snorkeling in the area. Even without snorkeling gear you can often see colorful fishes trapped in the rocky tide pools.

A narrow dirt road goes 8 kms from Cabuya to Mal Pais over the hills.
When going uphill from Cabuya turn around sometimes to catch panoramic views of the Cabuya valley with the prominent cemetery island. See also: From Mal Pais to Cabo Blanco