Montezuma: The Pacific’s Best-Kept Secret and a Refuge for Slow Tourism

In a world that seems to move faster every day, slow tourism is emerging as a different way to travel: more mindful, more human, more real. It’s not about visiting places, but inhabiting them for a while. About seeing rather than photographing. Connecting instead of simply passing through.

Slow tourism invites us to move with less haste and more presence. To stay a little longer. To let a destination tell you its stories naturally, instead of rushing behind a tight itinerary. Now more than ever, traveling slowly matters—it’s a way to care for the planet, to support local communities, and to protect our own experience

Montezuma: nature, art, community, and its own rhythm

Montezuma didn’t need to adapt to slow tourism. It’s always been that way. This small village on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast has its own pace—marked by tides, sunrises, and barefoot steps.

Here, nature isn’t a backdrop—it’s the main character. The waterfalls, hidden beaches, jungle trails—everything invites you to slow down. And in town, art and alternative culture blend naturally with organic cafés, local farmers’ markets, artisan workshops, and spontaneous pop-ups.

Montezuma is one of those rare places where you can still walk at night with ease, strike up a conversation with a stranger, and witness how the community and the environment protect each other.

Why Montezuma hasn’t lost its essence

At a time when many tourist destinations seem to lose their authenticity under the pressure of rapid growth, Montezuma has managed to preserve its soul.

Maybe it’s its size. Or the community that fiercely protects its identity. Or maybe it’s that combination of wild nature, simple infrastructure, and a more conscious kind of tourism that seeks real—not mass-produced—experiences.

You won’t find big resorts or shopping centers here. You will find local conservation projects, cafés that use ingredients from nearby farms, accommodations that respect their surroundings, and activities that celebrate the beauty of simple living.

Authentic experiences: yoga, local cafés, trails and waterfalls

In Montezuma, each experience can be as intense or as light as you want it to be.

A sunrise yoga class surrounded by trees. A slow coffee on a terrace as life unfolds in town. A spontaneous walk to a hidden waterfall. A quiet afternoon of surfing on a nearly empty beach. An artisan market where everything has a story behind it.

The key is to move slowly, allowing each encounter, each corner, each conversation to unfold in its own time.

How to live slow tourism at NYA

At NYA, we believe travel should nourish the body, mind, and spirit. Our boutique hotel is designed to support you in the natural rhythm that Montezuma invites.

We’re surrounded by gardens, just steps from the town center. We offer spaces like our openair yoga deck, our conscious-food restaurant Agra, and rooms designed for real rest. We also help connect you with authentic local experiences—hikes, surf, workshops, and classes—all
while supporting projects that share our vision of responsible tourism.

We invite you to discover Montezuma at your own pace.

Tips for mindful travelers

Stay longer: Instead of rushing through multiple places, explore what Montezuma has to offer at a slower pace.
Support local: Choose tours, restaurants, and lodging that respect the community and environment.
Walk: Montezuma is perfect for exploring on foot. It’s a way to see more, connect deeper, and reduce your impact.
Consume mindfully: Avoid single-use plastics, respect beaches and trails, and choose local, sustainable products.
Leave room for the unexpected: The best moments aren’t always planned.

Montezuma isn’t a destination to cross off a list. It’s a place to stay. To truly stay.

Explore more about our vision at www.nyahotel.cr or message us directly on WhatsApp: +506 8609 3999.