Luxury holidays in Nicoya Peninsula

Tucked away in its own Pacific-hugged corner of Costa Rica, the Nicoya Peninsula has a stretch of sand for in-the-know beach beeliners of every inclination. Here, crayon-box-coloured villages seduce seclusion seekers with their pristine coves, aspiring yogis rest in waterfront spas and sanctuaries, and barrelling waves bring savvy surfers to little-known palm-fringed sands. Adventurous types can try their hand at kayaking or snorkelling and moonlit turtle-watching – but we won’t judge if snoozing on the white sands is top of your to-do list. When you’ve topped up your tan, explore the national parks nearby for tours of stalagmite-studded caves and heady ridge-top hikes.

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Areas in the Nicoya Peninsula

When to go

Summer stretches from November to May. Serious sun-seekers should aim for between January and April. Avoid September and October when heavy rains make beach days a washout.

Getting there

  • Planes

    Flying is the fastest route to the peninsula. Fly direct to San Jose’s Juan Santamaría International Airport from London Gatwick, New York, Los Angeles and more. Regular domestic flights from San Jose touch down in Liberia, around an hour’s drive away from Nicoya. Otherwise, it’s a three-hour drive.

  • Boats

    If you're heading to the peninsula's southern beaches, hop on a ferry from Puntaneras to Paquera. It takes around 90 minutes, serves up some serious coastal scenery, and you can take your car to boot.

  • Automobiles

    Driving is doable if you fancy beach hopping and touring national parks – just be sure to avoid the rainy season, and consider opting for a four-wheel drive. Nicoya is around 100 kilometres from Monteverde and 170 kilometres from La Fortuna.