One of the pleasures of Montezuma is how easy it is to slow down and leave the car behind.
The village itself is compact and pedestrian-friendly, with restaurants, shops, the beach and many local attractions within walking distance. For exploring farther afield, local buses, taxis, bicycles, scooters and ATVs make it possible to enjoy the southern Nicoya Peninsula without necessarily renting a car for your entire stay.
For guests staying at Tres Casas Blancas, downtown Montezuma and the beach are only about a four-minute drive away, so a combination of walking, taxis and occasional ATV or scooter rental can be a practical alternative to keeping a rental car for your entire vacation.
Once you're downtown, walking is the best way to experience Montezuma. The village is small, and restaurants, cafés, shops and the main beach are clustered around the center. Montezuma's visitor guide specifically describes the town as pedestrian-friendly and notes that beaches, restaurants and the waterfalls can be reached on foot.
For longer walks outside the village, remember that tropical heat, hills, rain and darkness can make distances feel considerably longer. After dark, a taxi is often the more comfortable choice.
The local bus is inexpensive and useful for reaching Cóbano, Cabuya and connections toward Santa Teresa and other parts of the peninsula. The closest bus stop to Tres Casas is only a 4 min walk to the main road and there is a bus stop is in the center of the town of Montezuma near the football field. Estación de buses de Montezuma
The currently published Montezuma → Cóbano schedule is (please verify):
| Montezuma departure | Approx. Cóbano arrival |
|---|---|
| 6:30 AM | 7:05 AM |
| 9:30 AM | 10:05 AM |
| 12:15 PM | 12:50 PM |
| 3:45 PM | 4:20 PM |
| 6:00 PM | 6:35 PM |
| 8:45 PM | 9:20 PM |
The schedule is 7 days a week, Monday through Sunday.
Current Montezuma–Cóbano bus schedule
There is also local bus service from Montezuma toward Cabuya and Cabo Blanco.
Local buses connect Montezuma with Cabuya and Cabo Blanco. Schedules may change, so we recommend confirming departure times locally before setting out.
Taxis are one of the easiest options for guests who don't want a rental vehicle.
The local Montezuma visitor guide currently lists these drivers:
Evelio: +506 8818-3895
Luis: +506 8825-6008
Marino: +506 8815-9075
Alex – Cabuya: +506 6210-7429
For confident riders, a scooter or motorcycle is an inexpensive and fun way to explore nearby beaches and villages.
The Montezuma visitor guide currently recommends:
Montezuma Scooters
📱 +506 8862-4982
CAUTION: Road conditions vary considerably, particularly during rainy season, and helmets should always be worn.
ATVs are particularly popular on the Nicoya Peninsula because they're useful for reaching beaches, waterfalls and destinations along rougher roads.
The established Montezuma operator I'd feature first is Zuma Tours Montezuma. Their Montezuma office is opposite the football field, and their current phone is +506 2642-0024.
Eco Quad Adventures, Montezuma: +506 8833-8181
ViWolf, Montezuma, ATV rentals: +506 6101-0188.
Montezuma → Cabuya → Cabo Blanco
or
Montezuma → Cabuya →Mal Pais → Santa Teresa
or
Montezuma → Cóbano → Santa Teresa → Mal País
Henry – Bicycle Rental
📱 +506 8871-1540
I you're up for a good workout!
For longer trips—Santa Teresa, Cóbano Airport, Paquera, San José or Liberia—a pre-arranged shuttle or private driver is usually more comfortable than combining local buses.
TRANSPORZUMA specializes in shared and private transportation around Montezuma, Santa Teresa, Mal País and Cóbano and also connects the peninsula with other Costa Rican destinations.
Tropical Tours Shuttles in Costa Rica is another established regional operator offering shared shuttles, private transfers and airport transportation; their listed telephone number is +506 2640-1900.
For customized private transportation around Cóbano and the peninsula, Costa Rica Day Trips is another highly rated local option at +506 8754-2520.
Not necessarily.
If you're planning to spend most of your time enjoying Montezuma, its beaches and nearby attractions, you can comfortably combine taxis, walking and local transportation.
If you plan to explore Santa Teresa, Mal País, Cabuya, Cabo Blanco and more remote beaches independently, renting a car or ATV gives you considerably more freedom.
Our Tip: Consider arriving without a rental car and renting an ATV or vehicle only for the days you want to explore farther afield.