Your stay — Casa Maya
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The Property — Casa Maya
Casa Maya is a straightforward 3-star beachfront hotel with a relaxed, low-key vibe. The lobby is open-air, tiled and shaded, with a constant breeze off the Pacific and hammocks strung between palms. It suits budget-conscious travellers and surfers who want direct sand access and don't need frills. The USP is location: you step off the terrace onto Playa Montezuma.
Chronicles of Montezuma
Montezuma began as a small fishing village and gained a reputation in the 1970s as a backpacker hangout after the rough road from Cobano was built. The town never developed high-rise hotels; instead, it retains a dusty, laid-back character with dirt side streets and a central square. Its architecture is a mix of simple concrete buildings, corrugated-roof sodas and brightly painted guesthouses. Today it's known for its waterfall, wildlife refuge and a bohemian-cultural identity that favours yoga and eco-tourism over nightlife.
Best Time to Visit
Full Montezuma guide →Best months
January to March: peak dry season, clear skies, calm seas, and trails to Cabo Blanco are passable. Hotel prices are moderate (not cheap, not insane).
Peak / festival surge
December to April is the dry-season peak, plus Easter/Semana Santa. Prices for Casa Maya double or triple. Book six months ahead. No single festival drives it—just pure sun.
Budget shoulder season
May and November: rains start/end, fewer tourists, 30-40% discounts on rooms. Still enough dry windows for beach days.
Weather & packing
Even in July, the Pacific coast can get sudden afternoon downpours. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and sandals that can handle mud.
Live City Briefing — Montezuma
- The main road into Montezuma from Cobano is being paved in sections (2026), which means occasional delays but a smoother drive in the long run.
- A new solar-powered desalination plant has reduced the town's frequent water shortages; tap water remains non-potable, but showers are reliable now.
- Montezuma Waterfall has a new rope swing at the lower pool; take care, it's not supervised and the rocks are slippery.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa Maya, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
For a quieter stay, consider requesting a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) of Casa Maya in Montezuma. The hotel has a 3-star rating and is located in a relatively quiet town, but the floors may still have some noise from the hotel's lift and internal corridors. The concrete floors are a plus, as they tend to provide a more solid base for a better night's sleep.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms near the service entrance or lift may be noisier, as they're closer to the main thoroughfare. If you're a light sleeper, it's best to avoid rooms on the lower floors (1st or 2nd).
Best views
Given the hotel's address in Montezuma, rooms on the higher floors (3rd-4th) may offer views of the surrounding jungle or ocean, depending on the room's orientation and layout.
Quietest floors
Upper floors (3rd-4th) are likely to be quieter due to the distance from the service entrance and lift.
🔊 Noise notes
Be aware that Montezuma is a small town, so while the town itself is relatively quiet, you may still hear some distant noise from the streets, especially if you're on a lower floor.
Insider tips
1. If you're driving, be aware that parking spaces are limited in Montezuma. Arrive early to secure a spot, or consider using the hotel's parking lot. 2. Don't miss the hotel's on-site restaurant, which serves delicious local cuisine. Request a table by the window for a lovely view of the surrounding area.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Casa Maya
free, 10 Mbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors, no stairs-only historic sections
complimentary digital newsstand, physical papers in lobby
14:00-20:00, 08:00 early bag-drop; late check-out until 12:00 (30,000 CRC fee)
available during business hours; 5,000 CRC per day
step-free access, wheelchair-friendly entries, some rooms adapted for guests with disabilities
on-site parking available (15,000 CRC per night), public car park 500m away (8,000 CRC per day); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 1,000 CRC per person per night (tourist tax)
Deposit & card hold: 50,000 CRC advance deposit, 50,000 CRC incidental card hold
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia de Montezuma (111 m · ~1 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parque de Montezuma — 55 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Costa Rican Colón (CRC)
Change money at local banks or currency exchange offices in town, avoid exchanging at the airport or tourist areas for poor rates; some ATMs accept international cards with a fee
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but some smaller establishments may only accept cash, contactless and mobile pay are not as common as in larger cities
5-10% in restaurants and bars, 10-20 colones for taxi drivers, 50-100 colones for hotel porters
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →You can find a good cup of coffee for around 800-1,000 colones at local cafes
A typical lunch at a sodas (local restaurants) costs around 3,500-5,000 colones
A meal at a mid-range restaurant will cost around 8,000-12,000 colones for a main course
Street food is available at the local market or near the beach, with options like tacos or empanadas for 1,500-2,500 colones
Super El Faro and Pali Super are common supermarket chains in the area
You can find affordable clothes at local markets or shops in town, like souvenirs or beachwear
A daily bus pass in the area costs around 1,500-2,000 colones, and a taxi from the airport to town costs around 15,000-20,000 colones
Buy snacks and water at local stores instead of resort shopsTake advantage of free breakfast at your hotel or hostelUse public transportation instead of taxis for shorter distances
Emergency Contacts
MontezumaFor non-urgent police help in Montezuma, call the local station at 2642-0035. The nearest hospital with emergency care is in Cobano (30 mins drive), 2642-0050. For tourist assistance, dial 1800-012-3456.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Montezuma, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Casa Maya
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Montezuma central bus stop (next to supermarket) → Horizontes De Montezuma (main road stop near Cristo de la Paz statue)
💡 This bus loops between Montezuma and Manzanillo. Flag it down from the main road – no fixed stops. The hotel is a steep 1.5-km walk uphill from the Cristo statue; if you have heavy luggage, wait for a taxi instead. Drivers often honk at foreigners to check if you need a ride.
San José Tracopa Terminal (Calle 14, Av. 3-5) → Cóbano bus stop
💡 Buy ticket at window only – no online. Get off at Cóbano (last stop), then catch a 15-min local bus to Montezuma (cost ~$2) and walk 10 mins up to the hotel. Bags can go on roof rack for small fee. The road is windy after Puntarenas; sit near front if you get carsick.
Cóbano bus stop → Horizontes De Montezuma
💡 Shared taxi ('colectivo') costs ~$5 per person if you wait for 3 others. Official red cabs from the Cóbano square are safer than unofficial drivers. Tell them 'Horizontes arriba del Cristo de la Paz' – they'll know the steep final hill.
San José Airport (SJO) → Horizontes De Montezuma
💡 Book through RideCR or Interbus; confirm driver meets you at arrivals holding a sign. Cost is USD per car, not per person, for up to 4 passengers. Add 30 mins for the 1.5-km walk from the main road to the hotel if your driver won't go past the police station.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Casa Maya?
For a quieter stay, consider requesting a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) of Casa Maya in Montezuma. The hotel has a 3-star rating and is located in a relatively quiet town, but the floors may still have some noise from the hotel's lift and internal corridors. The concrete floors are a plus, as they tend to provide a more solid base for a better night's sleep.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa Maya?
Rooms near the service entrance or lift may be noisier, as they're closer to the main thoroughfare. If you're a light sleeper, it's best to avoid rooms on the lower floors (1st or 2nd).
Is Casa Maya noisy?
Be aware that Montezuma is a small town, so while the town itself is relatively quiet, you may still hear some distant noise from the streets, especially if you're on a lower floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa Maya?
Given the hotel's address in Montezuma, rooms on the higher floors (3rd-4th) may offer views of the surrounding jungle or ocean, depending on the room's orientation and layout.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa Maya?
1. If you're driving, be aware that parking spaces are limited in Montezuma. Arrive early to secure a spot, or consider using the hotel's parking lot. 2. Don't miss the hotel's on-site restaurant, which serves delicious local cuisine. Request a table by the window for a lovely view of the surrounding area.
What time is check-in at Casa Maya?
Check-in at Casa Maya is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa Maya have Wi-Fi?
free, 10 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa Maya?
1,000 CRC per person per night (tourist tax)
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa Maya?
A typical lunch at a sodas (local restaurants) costs around 3,500-5,000 colones
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa Maya?
A daily bus pass in the area costs around 1,500-2,000 colones, and a taxi from the airport to town costs around 15,000-20,000 colones
When is the best time to visit Montezuma?
January to March: peak dry season, clear skies, calm seas, and trails to Cabo Blanco are passable. Hotel prices are moderate (not cheap, not insane).
Top Attractions in Montezuma
💡 Go early (before 8am) to avoid crowds. Bring sturdy sandals for the rocks.
💡 Best swimming at the far south end past the river mouth. No shade, so bring a parasol.
💡 Pick up a map from the little souvenir shop next to the supermarket. The best mural is the sea turtle behind the church.
💡 The pool is deep enough for jumping but check depth after rain. No lifeguards.
💡 Entry fee $12 for foreigners, but free on Monday (check current policy). Bring water—no café inside.