24 Hours Off the Beaten Path
The Nicoya Peninsula is full of vibrant communities - both touristy and rural alike.
Santa Teresa is the largest town in the area, and the most developed. This beach town is full of modern trendy Airbnb’s and boutique hotels, quaint, beautifully curated shops and golden surfers weaving in and out of traffic with their dust-coated atv’s.
Neighbouring Cobanó (20 minutes North East of Santa Teresa) is the Costa Rican equivalent of a suburb and small town, made up of Costa Ricans, with a healthy number of mostly North American expats. It is not touristy by any means, and is a dependable place if you need to hit up a bank; doctor; grocery store (they have 4 bright large ones + another handful of older ones); car parts; or dollar store.
If you are passing through Cobanó on your way to the Paquera ferry or are staying in Santa Teresa but want a little break from the hustle and bustle, there are lots of places to see, and things to do, off the beaten path.
Shore fishing in Tambor Bay in the small town of Tambor, Costa Rica in the Nicoya Peninsula.
The following is what I would do if I had 24 hours to spend in and around Cobanó and the surrounding area:
Tavo Tours for a day of boating, wildlife sightings and island lunch (9 to 3)
Fresh coconut water on Tortuga Island.
Octavio from Tavo Tours has been our fishing guide and friend for over 10 years now. He has a sunny disposition and makes you feel welcome and taken care of. He also speaks English really well and can teach you a lot about the area. He offers early morning fishing in Tambor Bay for good eating fish, inshore fishing for rooster fish, mackerel, bottom fishing for grouper and can also take you out for mahi mahi and tuna depending on the time of year. That said, my favourite thing to do with Tavo Tours is to spend the day venturing to Tortuga Island.
The day looks like this: meet him at the Tambor fishing village or on the beach in Tambor Bay, for around 9am. Take a scenic boat ride for about an hour, while stopping to sightsee any wildlife if the opportunity arises (in the past we have seen turtles mating, dolphins, whales, manta rays, and spider monkeys). Once at Tortuga, you disembark the boat straight into the ocean. You’ve now arrived at a charming touristy island spot with beach chairs (for rent), a couple of bars serving fresh coconuts and various other tropical drinks and the opportunity to banana boat or snorkel. At lunch hour, Octavio serves fresh fish and chicken with rice and beans on a picnic table in the shade. The afternoon is finished off with a boat ride back to the fishing village. The waves are bigger on the way back, so the journey home takes longer but is fun for the kids and a nice time to reflect on the day’s events.
Lunch with Tavo Tours on Tortuga Island.
Rainbow Rock on our way to Tortuga Island.
*if you are staying in Cobano or Tambor, I would go back to your accommodations, take a quick shower then head to Tango Mar.
Tango Mar Hotel for a Sunset Drink
Tango Mar hotel is a 10 minute drive from the fishing village. It’s a small resort on the water and a nice spot to enjoy a drink, and take in the sunset. The waves on this little piece of beach are dramatic and the sky often pastel as the sun goes down.
Henry’s Pizza in Tambor
Henry’s Pizza in Tambor is a casual spot in Tambor Bay where mostly Tambor residents stop by to enjoy the evening and grab a bite to eat. The pizza there is really tasty, and the beers are always served cold. Henry’s is a family favourite.
Henry’s Pizza in Tambor, Costa Rica for good pizza and cold beers.
On your way out
If you’re heading back to Santa Teresa, plan a stop at Cosechas - the smoothie place with a bright pink sign, on a small side street behind the Banco Nacional (the main and only bank in town). You can choose a pre-existing combo or make your own. My kid’s favourite custom combo is mango, strawberry and chocolate (which is both healthy with the fresh fruit! and a treat with the chocolate ice cream). I personally love mixing the Mocha (which is coffee and sweet and milky) with strawberry. They are so smooth! They are a hit with everyone I’ve taken there, both young and old.
If you’re heading to the ferry/mainland/Liberia, make a quick pit stop while in Tambor (before hitting the 40 minutes of farm land) at J Beans Café. It’s on your right, just past the main entrance to the beach. The iced lattes are creamy and milky and a nice hit of caffeine.
Our favourite smoothie place in Cobanó, Costa Rica.
Pura Vida!