Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Snaking through the higher elevations of the interior is Hwy 21, from the population
center of Santa Cruz down through Nicoya, where sinuous Hwy 150 branches through the
forest toward Sámara.
Nicoya
A hub between the beaches and ranches, the big cities and
pueblitos,
come here for a blast
of Tico time. Truckers, road trippers and locals converge around a grid, packed with com-
merce and crowned with a gorgeous
iglesia
that makes the leafy Parque Central worth a
loiter. Now, that's not necessarily an argument to linger longer than you need to. Nicoya is
not fabulous. Just real.
Situated 23km south of Santa Cruz, and a good base for exploring Parque Nacional
Barra Honda, Nicoya was named after an indigenous Chorotega chief who welcomed
Spanish conquistador Gil González de Ávila in 1523 (a gesture he regretted). In the fol-
lowing centuries, the Chorotega were wiped out by the colonists, though the distinctive fa-
cial features of the local residents are a testament to their heritage.
Sleeping & Eating
Hotel Jenny
HOTEL
2685-5050;
www.hoteljenny.com
;
cnr Calle 1 & Av 4; s/d/tr US$20/30/36;
)
It ain't Shangri-la, but rooms are bright enough, clean enough, comfy enough and are
damned decent value. There are leafy green plants lining the hallways and smiling faces in
reception. Ask for a room away from the road for a quieter night's sleep.
Curime Resort
HOTEL
Set on 3.5 acres, this unexpected nature resort is a surprise in gritty Nicoya. The lodgings
are in tired but pleasant bungalows, scattered about the jungly grounds. The place has an
Olympic-sized pool and a full-service restaurant. There's not really any reason to spend the
night in Nicoya, but if you're going to do it, you might as well enjoy yourself.
