The Nicoya Peninsula is one of the most important tourist destinations in Costa Rica. Of all the tourist destinations in Costa Rica, this is probably the favourite for visitors who prefer to explore the hidden underbelly of this country. If you’re planning on visiting this part of the country, here are some interesting facts.

History

The Nicoya Peninsula has been a point of contention over the years. Up until the 19th century, it was under Spanish rule, along with the rest of Central America. Originally, it was part of Nicaragua. In 1824 it voted to secede from the country and join Costa Rica. It’s still a hot topic of discussion today.

Why Less Travelled?

When people witness the natural beauty of this region, they often wonder why more people don’t come here. It’s simple. Up until recently, the Costa Rican government in San Jose didn’t see the area as a priority. As a result, they didn’t bother upgrading the roads or improving the infrastructure in the area.

It’s one of the few major holiday destinations which has been left almost completely untouched. Its virgin beauty is why you often find hippie beach towns in this part of the world.

Blue Zone

It’s not just a favourite place for tourists to visit. A lot of people choose to live here. It’s located on the pristine Costa Rican Pacific Coast where it sits on a transitional zone. This transitional zone is a cross between the tropical zone towards the south of the country and the more barren Northern Guancaste area to the north.

World bodies have declared the Nicoya Peninsula one of four world blue zones. A blue zone is where people can live for over one hundred years without any major complaints. It’s partly due to the lifestyle and partly due to the pleasurable living conditions.

Access

There are three ways to visit the Peninsula. You can travel from Puntarenas via ferry and arrive in Naranjo or Paquera. You can travel from Liberia and enter from the north by crossing the Tempisque Bridge. Alternatively, fly into Tambor or Nosara Airport using one of the daily flights.

Popularity

There are too many different attractions here, so these are the main things you’ll discover in the Nicoya Peninsula:

Almost 80 miles of beach along the Pacific Coast,
Near permanent sunshine,
A diverse eco system,
Plenty of resorts and lots of activities, such as yoga and surfing,
National parks and nature reserves preserving some of the rarest animals in the world.

It’s clear why this is one of the best tourist destinations in Costa Rica to visit. It’s constantly becoming more developed. You’ll find high-speed wifi in a lot of towns and places like Montezuma have growing expat communities. Come and visit the Nicoya Peninsula and experience the sights and sounds it has to offer.

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