Playa Cabuya
Beach · Nicoya Peninsula · hidden gem
The village beach of Cabuya, near the tip of the peninsula, looking out at the little island just offshore where local fishermen are buried. Pangas rest on the pebbles, and reviewers mention clear water and good snorkeling spots nearby.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 1.5 h
- Best time
- low tide
- Kids
- 4 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 1 / 10
- Swimming
- 5 / 10
- Effort
- 1 / 10
- Location
- 9.59784, -85.08675 — Google Maps
- Ratings
- 4.8 on Google (40)
Before you go
- Entry
- Free
- Tickets
- Free entry, no ticket
- Swimming
- Only when the water is calm
- Kids
- Good for kids
- Bring
- tide chart, water shoes
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Check the tide table: at the lowest tides you can walk from here across to the cemetery island (Isla Cabuya).
Be careful
If you walk to the island, start back well before the tide turns - the crossing floods quickly. Rocky bottom in places.
Getting there
In Cabuya village, on the road from Montezuma to Cabo Blanco; park near the beach roads.
Places nearby
- Panadería Cabuya CafeteríaFood & CoffeeCabuya's village bakery-café, the go-to for breakfast or lunch before or after Cabo Blanco and the cemetery island: fresh bread, pastries and simple plates, with hundreds of happy reviews.
- La Selva Cerveza ArtesanalFood & CoffeeA small, low-key craft brewery in Cabuya pouring its own well-liked beers - a laid-back spot to end a day at Cabo Blanco.
- Indígena Café & ChocolateFood & Coffee · from $15A jungle café 100 m before the Cabo Blanco reserve entrance making bean-to-bar chocolate: hot chocolate, brownies and coffee, plus hands-on chocolate tours where you taste cacao and make your own bar.
- Soda Típica Las PalmerasSodas & Local FoodBudget-friendly soda in the center of Montezuma with a balcony over the beach where white-faced monkeys play in the trees.
- Butterfly Brewing CoFood & CoffeeCraft brewery up the hill out of Montezuma, on the road toward the canopy tour and the upper falls, with a deck looking out over the jungle - a cold pint after the waterfall hike.
- Restaurante Montezuma Latino Beach FoodFood & CoffeeA casual beachfront spot in the center of Montezuma for fish and shrimp tacos, patacones with guacamole and whole fried snapper, with mojitos, coco locos and passion fruit margaritas and an ocean view.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/932628138 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/932628138 · https://www.google.com/maps/search/beach+near+Cabuya+Costa+Rica · https://wanderlog.com/es/place/details/222524/isla-cabuya