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Voykit pocket guide · Costa Rica
Nicoya
Pass through Nicoya and stay one night only if you need a safe stop before heading to beach towns; otherwise skip it.
Nicoya is a small commercial hub on the Nicoya Peninsula with a central plaza, colonial church and a daily market. It offers few tourist attractions, so most travelers use it as a brief transit stop or a single night to avoid night driving on rural roads.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season)
- Avoid
- May–Nov (rainy season)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CRC
- Money
- Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₡8,000–12,000 excl. bed · Mid ₡12,000–18,000 excl. bed · High ₡18,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Kölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.
- Emergency
- Police / general emergency 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.; Guides: US$5–10 per person per tour.; Shuttle drivers: US$2–5.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (café) | ₡500–800 |
| Soda (soft drink) | ₡300–500 |
| Bus ticket (local route) | ₡600–1,200 |
| Meal at La Tortilleria (breakfast) | ₡1,200–2,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- LIR · Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (Liberia)
- Nearest airport with scheduled flights; about 76 km (47 mi) north of Nicoya on Route 21 — check ground transfer timesNearest airport with scheduled flights; about 47 mi (76 km) north of Nicoya on Route 21 — check ground transfer times
- NOA · Nicoya Airport
- Town airfield; no scheduled services — check
Typical fares
- Liberia → Nicoya bus
- about ₡1,200 one‑way, 76 km (47 mi) (check)about ₡1,200 one‑way, 47 mi (76 km) (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Route 21 runs through town, linking Liberia (76 km (47 mi) north) and San José (204 km (127 mi) south). The main bus station (Estación de Autobuses Alfaro) offers frequent but sometimes delayed services to Nosara, Samara and San José.Route 21 runs through town, linking Liberia (47 mi (76 km) north) and San José (127 mi (204 km) south). The main bus station (Estación de Autobuses Alfaro) offers frequent but sometimes delayed services to Nosara, Samara and San José.
See and do
Known for
- Central plaza and park
- Parroquia de San Blas colonial church
- Mercado Municipal market
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Playa Samara | Bus from Estación de Autobuses Alfaro, about 1 h 30 min, then a short walk to the beach | ≈2 h total |
Sleep
- Hotel Chorotega
- Cheapest option; shared or private bathrooms; fans.
- Hotel las Tinajas
- Budget hotel in centre; air‑conditioning; parking.
- Rancho de Sebas
- US$75 moderate hotel; buffet breakfast.
- Hotel Rio Tempisque
- M$80 moderate hotel; AC; some rooms lack hot water.
- Hotel Doña Marta
- Mid‑range hotel; pool, gym; includes typical breakfast.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis‑KUL‑pe |
| Thank you | Graciasgra‑SEE‑as |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAHN‑to KWEHS‑ta |
| Where is the bus station? | ¿Dónde está la estación de autobuses?DON‑de es‑TA la es‑ta‑SYON de a‑u‑BOO‑ses |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Buenas' and a handshake; cheek kiss among friends; avoid: Skipping the greeting
- Conflict: Stay polite and indirect; avoid: Raised voices
- Time: Be on time for tours; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
- Nature: Stay on trails, keep quiet; avoid: Feeding animals
Scams and watch-outs
- Limited tourist sights; most visitors pass through.
- Buses can be frequently late; plan extra time.
- Night driving on rural roads is unsafe; stay overnight if arriving after dark.
Nicoya is generally safe; keep an eye on belongings in crowded areas and avoid night driving on rural roads.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Nicoya yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Central plaza and park
- Parroquia de San Blas colonial church
- Mercado Municipal market
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Nicoya, revision 5106077 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5106077
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Nicoya
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / general emergency911
US consular services are in Liberia; other embassies are in San José.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/nicoya). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.