On the beach
Montezuma beach is about 30 meters away. "The sound of the sea to fall asleep," says one guest.
Montezuma · Puntarenas · Costa Rica
Hotel Cabinas Mar y Cielo
★★★
Wooden cabins and apartments right on Montezuma beach, with a garden full of hammocks, balconies facing the sea and the whole village a few steps away. You fall asleep to the sound of the waves.
- 8.9on Booking.com · 203 reviews
- 4.5on Google · 127 reviews
- 9.7for location, per guests
Secure booking on Booking.com · Rates change by date
A simple beachfront stay in the middle of Montezuma
Cabinas Mar y Cielo sits in downtown Montezuma, on the sea side of the village. The beach is about 30 meters away, the bus stop is a 3-minute walk, and the shops, cafés, bars and restaurants of the main street are all within a short stroll. Guests rate the location 9.7 out of 10, the highest of all categories.
It is a modest, honest place: wooden buildings painted in warm colors, rooms with balconies, a small shared garden with hammocks and a barbecue area. The staff scores 9.5 and many reviews mention how helpful they are. Because you are right in the heart of the village and its nightlife, some rooms can pick up music in the evening: more on that below.
See availability →What makes it special
Six concrete things, all taken from the listing and from guest reviews.
Location: 9.7
The best-rated category: the village, restaurants, shops and the waterfall trail are all within walking distance.
Staff: 9.5
Reviews keep describing friendly, helpful people who go out of their way.
Garden with hammocks
A shared garden facing the water, with hammocks, tables and a barbecue area.
Sea-view balconies
Guests recommend asking for a second-floor room for the view over the bay.
Parking and pets
Free private parking on site, and pets are allowed at no charge.
Hotel photos
The rooms
Three types of accommodation, all with a private bathroom, a balcony or patio, sea or garden views and free wifi.
Triple room with sea view
The compact option, with a balcony and terrace, air conditioning, a coffee maker and a private bathroom.
See price →Family room with sea view
More space for families or groups of friends, with a balcony, patio, air conditioning and a coffee maker.
See price →Apartment with sea view
The largest unit, with a private kitchen, living area, terrace, barbecue and air conditioning.
See price →Hotel amenities
A basic beachfront hotel with no pool: its strengths are the sea at the door, the garden and the location.
- BeachfrontMontezuma beach is right in front of the property.
- Free wifiGuests give it a perfect 10 out of 10.
- Free parkingPrivate parking on site, at no charge.
- Garden with hammocksA shared garden by the sea for sunrise and sunset.
- Barbecue areaA shared grill and terrace, plus tables in the garden.
- Outdoor showerIn the garden, to rinse off the sand before going back to your room.
- Private bathroomHot-water shower and free toiletries.
- Fridge and safeIn the rooms, according to the listing.
- Bike rentalsHandy for reaching the waterfalls or the next beach.
- Tourist information deskHelp with tours and activities in the area.
- Gift shopOn site.
- Smoke-free roomsSmoking is not allowed in the rooms.
Where to eat
The hotel has no restaurant, but you are in the middle of the village: sodas, cafés and bars are a few steps away.
Kitchen in the apartment
The apartment has a private kitchen, handy for longer stays.
Barbecue area
A shared grill for cooking something fresh from the local market.
Coffee maker in the rooms
Some room types include one, according to the listing.
Playa de los Artistas · 8 min walk
An international restaurant by the sea, a short walk along the beach.
Restaurants and bars · steps away
The village main street has plenty of places to eat, from simple sodas to international food.
Shops nearby
Small shops and stands in the village, close to the hotel.
A bohemian village of waterfalls, rainforest and Pacific beaches
Montezuma is a small seaside village at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, where the rainforest runs right down to the beach. Nearby are the Cabo Blanco Reserve, the surf beaches of Santa Teresa and Mal País, and Tortuga Island. Distances are in a straight line from the hotel.
Montezuma beach · in front of the hotel
The village beach, with pale sand, rocks and palm trees, and a string of coves to the north. Some stretches have rocks and currents: swim carefully, ideally in the sheltered pools or when the tide is calm.
Montezuma waterfalls · 0.6 km
A trail along the river leads in about 20 minutes to the lower waterfall, with a large pool for swimming; there are two more falls further up. Don't jump from the rocks: there have been serious accidents.
Cabo Blanco Reserve · 8 km
Costa Rica's first protected area, created in 1963 thanks to Nicolás Wessberg and Karen Mogensen. A trail through dry and moist tropical forest leads down to almost untouched beaches; howler and capuchin monkeys, coatis and seabirds are easy to spot. The entrance is past Cabuya (7 km).
Santa Teresa and Mal País · 10 to 11 km
On the other side of the peninsula, about 40 minutes by car via Cóbano, there are long beaches with good surf all year, surf schools, yoga, restaurants and sunsets over the ocean.
Tortuga Island · 23 km
Two islands in the Gulf of Nicoya with a white-sand beach, turquoise water and good snorkeling. Boats leave from Montezuma beach and from Paquera, near Curú Wildlife Refuge (21 km).
Playa Grande
A long, quiet beach about a 30-minute walk north of the village, on a trail between the rainforest and the sea. It's a favorite for learning to surf and for spending the day away from the crowds.
When to go to Montezuma
Average high temperature and rainfall in Montezuma and Cóbano, month by month (approximate values).
32°Jan
33°Feb
33°Mar
33°Apr
31°May
30°Jun
30°Jul
30°Aug
29°Sep
29°Oct
30°Nov
31°Dec
Dry (Dec–Apr) Green (May–Aug) Wettest (Sep–Nov) · mm
- ☀️ December to April is the dry season: it hardly rains, skies are clear and the sea is usually calm. It's the busiest time, especially at Christmas, New Year's and Easter, so book early.
- 🌿 May to August is the green season: sunny mornings, afternoon downpours, the rainforest and waterfalls at their best and fewer visitors. July often brings a few drier weeks (the 'veranillo').
- 🌧️ September and October are the wettest months; some dirt roads get difficult and several businesses close for a few weeks.
- 🏄 Santa Teresa and Mal País have waves all year; in the rainy season they tend to be bigger and more consistent.
- 🌡️ It's hot all year (29–33 °C), driest and hottest from February to April: bring biodegradable sunscreen, a hat and water for hikes.
- 🐒 Monkeys and raccoons are very bold: don't feed them, and keep your things secured on the beach and at the waterfalls.
How to get here
From San José (SJO) by ferry
From Juan Santamaría Airport it's about 2 hours by car to Puntarenas. There you take the ferry to Paquera (a little over 1 hour across the Gulf of Nicoya), and from Paquera it's around 1 hour by road to Montezuma (27 km in a straight line). Check the ferry schedule and arrive early in high season.
From Liberia (LIR)
Guanacaste's airport is about 4 hours away by road, down the Nicoya Peninsula, with no ferry (117 km in a straight line). A rental car or shuttle is the easiest option.
Flight to Tambor (TMU)
Tambor airstrip (11 km) has short domestic flights from San José. From there it's about 30 to 40 minutes by taxi to Montezuma.
Bus, shuttle and boat
Buses run from San José to Montezuma including the ferry (about 5 to 6 hours), and local buses go from the Paquera ferry dock to Cóbano and Montezuma. The Montezuma bus stop is a 3-minute walk from the hotel. There are also shared shuttles and fast boats between Montezuma and Jacó, depending on sea conditions.
By car and getting around
The hotel has free private parking. Montezuma itself is easy to walk. For Cabuya, Cóbano or Santa Teresa there are taxis, local buses and ATV and scooter rentals; in the rainy season a 4x4 is a good idea on the dirt roads. The currency is the Costa Rican colón; US dollars are accepted almost everywhere and there are banks and ATMs in Cóbano.
What's nearby
From the center of Montezuma, on the beachfront.
- Montezuma beach30 m
- Montezuma bus stop3 min walk
- Montezuma park350 m
- Playa de los Artistas restaurant8 min walk
- Montezuma waterfalls1.2 km
- Cabuya7 km
- Cabo Blanco Reserve8 km
- Cóbano6 km
- Mal País10 km
- Santa Teresa11 km
- Tambor airstrip11 km
- Tortuga Island23 km
What guests say
8.9 out of 10 on Booking.com from 203 reviews, and 4.5 out of 5 on Google from 127 reviews.
9.7Location
9.5Staff
8.8Comfort
8.7Cleanliness
«The property is directly on the seafront, so you can hear the waves all the time. It has a beautiful garden area too.»
«Perfect room and location with very friendly and accommodating staff. The AC is a huge plus too!»
«Convenient location to shops and restaurants. Hotel was right on the beach. Requesting a 2nd floor room, the ocean view gives an awesome view of the water.»
«Right next to the beach, the sound of the sea is super relaxing for sleeping. Clean and spacious, with a small shared garden.»
«Very comfortable. The cabin has three big beds, a kitchen, a fridge and a TV, and it's right beside the beach. The only thing is there is quite a bit of noise outside at night, at least until 2 in the morning.»
«The cabins are lovely and well located. The rooms are a bit old, especially the bathrooms, but the garden and the view are beautiful.»
What to know before you book
Check-in from 2:00 PM
Check-out is until 11:00 AM.
Village nightlife nearby
The hotel is in the center of Montezuma, an area with bars and clubs: some rooms can hear music at night, and one guest reports noise until about 2 AM. If you are a light sleeper, bring earplugs.
Air conditioning: confirm
The listing shows air conditioning in these room types and one recent guest praises it, but older reviews mention rooms with only standing fans. Check the room details when you book.
Simple, older rooms
Some guests find the bathrooms and furniture dated. It's a modest place; what you pay for is the location and the sea.
Children of any age
There is no minimum age. Children 11 and over count as adults. Extra beds are available on request for a fee; there are no cribs.
Pets allowed
Pets are welcome at no charge.
Payment at the hotel
Cash is the accepted payment method at the property. The hotel takes colones and US dollars.
No pool
The listing doesn't include a pool: the sea is right in front of you.
Things to do from Montezuma
Highly rated tours on Viator: a surf lesson in Montezuma, Tortuga Island by boat, private nature tours in Cabo Blanco and Curú Wildlife Refuge, a night kayak among bioluminescence and horseback riding in Cabuya. Check each tour's meeting point or whether it includes hotel pickup; cancellation terms vary by tour.
2-Hour Surf Lesson in Montezuma
See the tour →
Isla Tortuga boat tour - from Paquera
See the tour →
Private Nature Tour in Cabo Blanco Park Costa Rica
See the tour →
Private Nature Adventure Tour in Curu Wildlife Refuge
See the tour →
Bioluminescent Kayak Tour
See the tour →
Costa Rica Horseback Riding Experience
See the tour →Tour texts and photos: Viator.
Where it is
Montezuma Downtown, 60111 Montezuma, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Book your stay at Hotel Cabinas Mar y Cielo
See today's rates and availability on Booking.com. Many rates can be cancelled for free; check the conditions of each one before you book.
See availability →Frequently asked questions
Where is Hotel Cabinas Mar y Cielo?
In downtown Montezuma, Puntarenas, on the beachfront. The beach is about 30 meters away and the bus stop is a 3-minute walk.
Is it on the beach?
Yes. It is right on the seafront, and many guests mention hearing the waves from their room.
Is breakfast included?
The listing doesn't mention a breakfast service. The apartment has a private kitchen, and there are cafés and restaurants in the village a few steps away.
Does it have parking?
Yes, there is free private parking at the property.
What time are check-in and check-out?
Check-in is from 2:00 PM and check-out is until 11:00 AM.
Does it have a pool?
No pool is listed. The property has a garden with hammocks, and the beach is at the door.
Can I bring my pet?
Yes, pets are allowed at no charge.
How far is it from the airport?
About 4 hours by road from Liberia (LIR). From San José (SJO) you can drive to Puntarenas, take the ferry to Paquera and continue by road, or fly to Tambor (TMU), about 30 to 40 minutes away by taxi.