Luxury Nicoya Peninsula Vacations & Tours made for you
Experience the best of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula
Solitary beaches, the best surfing area in Costa Rica
Known for its stunning semi-deserted beaches linked together by grey stone cliffs or tangles of knotted mangroves, the rustic Nicoya Peninsula is the ideal destination for a Costa Rica beach retreat. From wildlife excursions and surf lessons to waterfall treks and cultural experiences, your time here is sure to be rewarding and memorable.
Separated from the mainland by the Gulf of Nicoya and the Tempisque estuary, the peninsula’s relative isolation has meant that it’s quieter than some of Costa Rica’s regions, including its well-known neighbour, the Guanacaste Coast. Life moves at a fairly relaxed pace here, and it’s easy to get used to the unhurried swing of things. Here it’s all about taking the time to appreciate your surroundings and enjoying the natural wonders on your doorstep.
The region is known for its beaches, many of which are gloriously secluded. You can swim, snorkel, paddleboard and kayak through the waters then back on land, relax on the golden sand and explore the lush green forest. There are also a variety of wildlife experiences in the Nicoya Peninsula, on which you can see monkeys, sloths, colourful birdlife and maybe even a puma or two.
Many of the lodges here have a strong focus on sustainability and helping to preserve this beautiful natural environment. It’s the perfect place for a few days of relaxation, enjoying everything that is so wonderful about the Costa Rican coast.
From our experts
Experiences picked by our Nicoya Peninsula specialists
Learn the Blue Zone way of life
Explore the ‘Blue Zone’ way of life at local farming town, La Mencha. Take part in an enriching experience to learn about the culture and traditions that help people live longer here.
Hike to Montezuma falls
Go on a guided walk to the famous Montezuma Waterfalls and if you’re feeling brave, there are plenty of rocks to jump off as well as great natural swimming pools where you can cool off.
Learn to surf at Playa Guiones
No matter your skill level, join fun and friendly surf instructors for an immersive learning experience at Playa Guiones.
Check into a beachfront lodge
Take your pick of some of the top boutique beachfront retreats, lodges and exclusive resorts in the Nicoya Peninsula.
A word from one of our experts
The Nicoya Peninsula is a great destination for relaxing on stunning beaches, catching a few world-class waves and generally just soaking up the laid-back vibe. Think beautiful nature, tasty traditional food and interesting wildlife.
Lily Bunker
Luxury accommodation in the Nicoya Peninsula
There are many incredible places to stay in the Nicoya Peninsula. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Lagarta Lodge
Nestled amongst subtropical vegatation and offering spectacular views over the Pacific Ocean
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Casa Chameleon at Mal Pais
Casa Chameleon is a place to stay in Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica.
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Why book with Jacada?
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Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
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Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
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Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Get inspired with our Costa Rica example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
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An Active Adventure Through Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one big outdoor playground with its beautiful rainforest, impressive volcanoes, idyllic coastline and white-sand beaches. On this 11-day Costa Ri…
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Costa Rica Family Explorer
This 11 day trip is perfect for families, blending adventure with relaxation. Begin in Tortuguero, exploring dense rainforests, rivers and lagoons where birds,…
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Arenal
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Boca Tapada
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Central Valley
Coffee hills near the capital.
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Cerros de Turrubares
Nestled between the Rio Grande de Tarcoles to the north and the Fila Negra mountains to the west, Cerros de Turrubares is a wonderfully rur…
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Dominical
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Guanacaste
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Jacó
Jacó is THE surfer beach town of Costa Rica. And whilst not as sleepy as it used to be due to growing popularity, it still offers the best…
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Manuel Antonio
With its accessibility, teeming national park, turquoise marine reserve, white coral beaches and range of luxury hotels, Manuel Antonio is…
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Monteverde
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Orosi Valley
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Osa Peninsula
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Pacuare
25,000 acres of primary, virgin rainforest stretching from the Talamanca Cordillera to the eastern Caribbean lowlands are nurtured by the s…
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Puerto Viejo
The easy-going and stylish southern Caribbean stretch of coast that forms Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica is no exception to the country’s wides…
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Rincón de la Vieja
Discover a world of wildlife and geology at this exciting National Park which boasts 34,800 acres of flourishing nature and volcanic wonder…
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Río Celeste
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San Gerardo de Dota
The newly created Los Quetzales National Park named after its most famous and elusive resident, the resplendent quetzal, is a bird watching…
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San José
Costa Rica may be renowned as a bountiful, serene paradise, but lesser known is its cosmopolitan heart: San José. Positioned in the mid-wes…
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Sarapiquí
Sarapiquí is a small but beautiful region. It is an area frequented in particular by eco-tourists yet is also a regular if not unmissable s…
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Tortuguero
A dense and intricate network of rivers, lagoons, and canals crisscross 11 different habitats of rainforest, swamp and beach, to be explore…
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Turrialba
Just a mere forty miles (65 km) east of San Jose in the Central Valley region of Cartago, Turrialba is a wonderfully rustic area in which t…
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Meet your Latin America team
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Berni De Luca
Client Experience Manager for Latin America
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Charles Kronsten
Senior Travel Designer
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Dan Scott-Kerr
Travel Designer
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Delfina Russo
Travel Designer
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Demi Roberts
Senior Travel Designer
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Em Jennison
Travel designer
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Flavia Toledo
Latin America Concierge
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James Sirotkin
Travel Designer
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Jennifer Richt
Senior Travel Designer
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Kit Wong
Senior Travel Designer
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Lily Bunker
Senior Travel Designer
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Lizzie Slater
Travel Designer
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Melanie Vieira
Senior Concierge – Latin America
When to visit
The dry season runs from mid November to April, and most areas are dry, warm and sunny. Occasional blustery winds blow during January and February bringing the temperature down. During the wet season, from May to mid November, expect afternoon rains and sunny mornings.
Caribbean coast
May–November
Sea turtle nesting
May–November
Pacific Coast for winter sun
December–April
Birdwatching
Year round
When Is the Best Time to Visit Costa Rica?
Costa Rica travel guides
The Best Family-Friendly Lodges in Costa Rica
Discover our expertly curated list of the best hotels to choose for your family adventure in Costa Rica. Learn about the facilities that can make all the diffe…
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The 8 Best Family Things to Do in Costa Rica
Families visiting Costa Rica will find a wide range of activities year-round. Our travel designers highlight the best wildlife, water adventures, zip lines, ho…
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The Best Things to Do in Costa Rica During the Green Season
Costa Rica in the green season is quiet, green and full of life. The rain keeps the jungle fresh, animals are easier to spot and waterfalls are at their most i…
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The Best Countries to Combine in Latin America
Let diverse and varied adventures unfold when you visit more than one country on your trip to Latin America. Explore activity and nature-focused journeys and l…
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The Best Hikes in South America
Get ready to explore South America’s best hiking trails. Marvel at remarkable landscapes across high-altitude peaks, through sultry cloud forests and on gliste…
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We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…
“heavenly honeymoon”
My wife and I used Jacada to plan our honeymoon to French Polynesia. Working with the Jacada team was fantastic and effortless. Every question was quickly answered. Every hiccup was quickly addressed. We felt like we were in the hands of experts who are equally passionate about travel, and who were committed to helping us have the trip of a…
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We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…
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Communication and organization were excellent. The Jacada team was helpful and genuinely interested in our experience. The guides were personable, knowledgeable, and clearly enjoy their work. Vehicles were spotless, timely, and coordinators managed our every need brilliantly. I will recommend Jacada to friends and family. The only way to travel!
“Iceland 8 Days”
We had a wonderful trip planned through Jacada. We enjoyed the venues and the excursions. This is a beautiful place we'd recommend to anyone who wants to go on a new adventure.
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.