Things to Do Near Nicoya, Costa Rica: Beaches, Waterfalls, Turtles, a Volcano and the Festival Calendar
By the Bluesky Lodge & Farm family, NicoyaUpdated October 1, 2026
Short answer
Near Nicoya you can swim at Pacific beaches 45 minutes away, explore caves and waterfalls within half an hour, watch thousands of turtles nest at Ostional, and take day trips to the Rincón de la Vieja volcano and one of Costa Rica's best ziplines. Nicoya also has some of Guanacaste's oldest festivals. Bluesky Lodge sits in the hills just 10 minutes from town, at the entrance of the Nicoya Peninsula, so most of this is an easy day out.
Right next door (5–30 minutes)
- KartXtreme Cross & ArenaXtreme paintball (5 min): off-road go-karts and paintball at the same place, just down the road from the lodge. Fun for families and groups of friends. Map · Facebook
- Nicoya town (10 min): the colonial church of San Blas, the central park, sodas and the market. It's the heart of the Nicoya Blue Zone.
- Barra Honda caves (30 min): guided descents into limestone caves.
- Belén waterfall (about 30 min): natural rock pools on the road to Sámara. Best from January to April, when the water is calm; take care after heavy rain.
Beaches
| Place | From the lodge | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Sámara Beach | 45 min | Calm waters, kayaking, beginner surfing |
| Tamarindo | 1 hour | Surfing, nightlife, dining |
| Nosara | about 1.5 hours | Surf schools, yoga community |
| Playa Flamingo | about 1.5 hours | White sand, snorkeling, fishing |
| Playa Conchal | about 1.5 hours | Shell beach, turquoise waters |
| Playa Potrero | about 1.5 hours | Quiet bay, calm swimming, boat trips |
| Playa Grande | about 1.5 hours | Surfing, turtle nesting site |
…and many more beaches along the Nicoya Peninsula: Carrillo, Guiones, Pelada, Ostional, Junquillal, Avellanas and others.
Nature, waterfalls, turtles and the volcano
| Place | From the lodge | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Barra Honda Caves | 30 min | Limestone caves, stalactites, guided descents |
| Belén Waterfall | 30 min | Natural swimming pools on the road to Sámara; best in the dry season |
| Ostional turtle arribadas | about 1.5 hours | Mass nesting of olive ridley turtles near Nosara, August–December (peak September–October), with local guides |
| Llano de Cortés Waterfall | about 1.5 hours | Wide waterfall, swimming, picnicking |
| Vista del Mar Mountain Route | about 1.5 hours | 4x4/ATV trail to the highest viewpoint, ocean views, then down to Marbella Beach |
| La Leona Waterfall | about 2 hours | Guided hike and swim through a turquoise volcanic canyon near Rincón de la Vieja |
| Rincón de la Vieja National Park | about 2.5 hours | Active volcano, fumaroles, bubbling mud pots, hot springs and mud baths |
| Montezuma Waterfalls | 2.5+ hours | Three-tier waterfalls, hiking |
Ostional is one of the few places in the world where olive ridley turtles nest in mass "arribadas", sometimes hundreds of thousands over a few nights. Plan for August to December, ideally September or October, a few nights after the full moon, and go with a local guide.
Rincón de la Vieja and La Leona are on the Liberia side, so they make a full day. Many visitors combine them with their arrival or departure through Liberia airport.
Adventure and activities
| Place | From the lodge | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| KartXtreme Cross & ArenaXtreme | 5 min | Off-road go-karts and paintball at the same place, just down the road |
| Diamante Eco Adventure Park | about 1.5 hours | One of the best ziplines in Costa Rica: a 1.4 km “Superman” line over the ocean, plus hanging bridges and an animal sanctuary |
| Turtle watching | about 1.5 hours | Ostional arribadas (Aug–Dec) and Playa Grande (seasonal) |
| Horseback riding | – | Beach rides, mountain trails, sunset tours |
| Surfing lessons | – | Sámara, Nosara, Tamarindo |
| Yoga classes | – | Nosara yoga community |
| Snorkeling | – | Playa Conchal, Flamingo |
| ATV tours | – | Mountain and beach adventures |
| Fishing charters | – | Deep sea and inshore fishing |
Festival calendar: Nicoya and Santa Cruz
Nicoya is the "cradle of the Annexation" and keeps traditions that are centuries old. If your dates match, a festival is the best way to see real Guanacaste culture: marimba, sabaneros on horseback, folk dances and typical food.
| Festival | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Fiestas Típicas Nacionales de Santa Cruz Guanacaste's biggest traditional festival, honoring the Santo Cristo de Esquipulas: bull riding, marimba, folk dances, horse parades and the Burra Fiestera on the last day. | Mid-January (around January 15) | Santa Cruz (30 min) |
| Nicoya Civic Festival (Fiestas Cívicas) Opens with the tope, a parade of sabaneros (Guanacaste cowboys) on decorated horses, followed by bull riding, a fair and dancing. | January (dates vary each year) | Nicoya (10 min) |
| San Blas Feast of Nicoya's patron saint at the colonial church, with music and folk dances. | Around February 3 | Nicoya (10 min) |
| Annexation of Nicoya (Anexión) National holiday celebrating Nicoya's 1824 decision to join Costa Rica. Nicoya, the “cradle of the Annexation”, hosts the main celebration: parades, marimba, folk dances, horse parades and typical food. | July 25 (festival week before) | Nicoya (10 min) |
| Virgin of Los Ángeles Costa Rica's patron saint, celebrated in Nicoya's Barrio Los Ángeles. | August 2 | Nicoya (10 min) |
| Independence Day School parades, marching bands and the evening lantern parade. | September 15 (lantern parade on the 14th) | Nicoya (10 min) |
| Pica de Leña Oxcarts loaded with firewood parade through town with horsemen and brass bands; the wood is used to cook for the Yegüita. | November (by the second Saturday) | Nicoya (10 min) |
| La Yegüita Nicoya's oldest tradition, honoring the Virgin of Guadalupe: the dance of the little mare, a procession and free traditional food for everyone. | December 11–12 | Nicoya (10 min) |
Exact dates change slightly every year. Message us and we'll tell you what's happening during your stay.
Planning by season
- December to April (dry season): best for waterfalls with calm water, the volcano and the beaches. January has the Santa Cruz and Nicoya fiestas.
- May to August: green landscapes, fewer people, and the Annexation festival on July 25. See rainy season in Nicoya.
- September to November: peak turtle arribadas at Ostional, and the Pica de Leña in November.
Need help getting around? Read how to get here and our 4x4 road.
Frequently asked questions
When can I see the turtle arribadas at Ostional?+
Arribadas, the mass nesting of olive ridley turtles at Ostional near Nosara, happen from about August to December, with the biggest ones in September and October. They usually start a few nights after the full moon, and visits are done with local guides.
When are the Santa Cruz fiestas?+
The Fiestas Típicas Nacionales de Santa Cruz take place in mid-January, around January 15, the feast of the Santo Cristo de Esquipulas (in 2026 they ran January 14–18). Santa Cruz is about 30 minutes from Bluesky Lodge.
What festivals are there in Nicoya?+
The main ones are the Fiestas Cívicas in January, San Blas around February 3, the Annexation of Nicoya on July 25, the Pica de Leña in November and La Yegüita on December 11–12. Dates can shift slightly from year to year.
Can I visit Rincón de la Vieja volcano on a day trip from Nicoya?+
Yes, but it's a long day: about 2.5 hours each way from Bluesky Lodge. Leave early and combine the national park (fumaroles and mud pots) with the hot springs, or with a guided hike to La Leona waterfall.
What is there to do right next to Bluesky Lodge?+
KartXtreme Cross (off-road go-karts) and ArenaXtreme paintball are 5 minutes away, Nicoya town is 10 minutes away, and the Barra Honda caves and Belén waterfall are about 30 minutes away.
Come and see it for yourself
A-frame cabins, an infinity pool and a 180° view over the Nicoya mountains, 10 minutes from town and 45 minutes from the beach.
