Montezuma Sanctuary: Spacious Hill-Top Villa W/Spectacular 360-Degree Views
Location
Car: Recommended
Wildlife sanctuary is less than 1 mile from downtown Montezuma. Some of the species you'll find:
- 232 species of birds. The most common species are motmots, white-fronted amazons, laughing hawks, woodpeckers and herons. Scarlet macaws have successfully been reintroduced in the area and can sometimes be seen in the morning or in the late afternoon.
- Among the mammals are rare species such as ocelots, pumas, margay cats, collared peccari, coyote, anteaters, and otters. Those we see on an-almost-daily basis are pizottis (coatamundis) and guatuzos, and the easiest to spot are howler and capuchin monkeys.
As far as Montezuma, this is what the San Diego Reader had to say in a recent article (Oct. 14, 2010):
'You know the place you daydream of escaping to on one of those hectic days at the office? This is it. Turn off your cell phone, unplug your laptop. Things move to a different rhythm here. Surf or hike the endless miles of pristine, largely uninhabited beaches. Explore the tide pools in the natural beach reserve. Go whitewater rafting. Play the guitar. Write that novel that’s been lingering in your soul. Create art. Make love. Listen to the pounding surf. Do absolutely nothing. Feel the stress ooze from the pores of your skin. Pressures? Worries? They drift away with the breeze and the surf in Montezuma.
Montezuma, Costa Rica, on the southern Pacific tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, was a tiny fishing village – an isolated, nearly uninhabited paradise – until the 1980s, when it was “discovered” by international travelers. It quickly gained popularity with artists, bohemians, hippies, surfers and dropouts who flocked here to get away from it all. Despite this influx, Montezuma has retained its village atmosphere. Italian immigrants opened several pizzerias and perhaps the best restaurant in town, Playa de las Artistas, decorated with a plethora of local artworks at its magnificent beach-side location.
NOTES FROM OTHER MONTEZUMA VISITORS:
I first heard about Montezuma on the PBS series Globe Trekker. Particularly memorable was the interview with the guy who lived off the land, boasting that for one year he only spent money on tomatoes and postage home. He said he watched the monkeys and ate what they ate. I knew I had to go there.
Each morning in Montezuma, I wandered along the beach from my hotel to the dusty main road five minutes away and our café overlooking the beach. We took our good sweet time lingering over breakfast and other meals. The capuchin monkeys are everywhere and entertaining to watch. At certain eating spots, they’re brazen enough to steal your food if you leave it unattended for a few minutes.
On my last night in Montezuma, I looked up at the night sky and saw a brilliant moon and an unusual cloud formation. I grabbed my camera and took a picture of what appeared to be a sleeping Albert Einstein, resting his chin on the moon. Goodbye, Montezuma. You’ll remain in my dreams.'
Owner info
Year Purchased: 1989
About the owner: I came to Costa Rica in January of 1988 for a 3-week vacation, and after 2 weeks, I read in my Tourist Guide Book that the MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES of Costa Rica were in Montezuma, a tiny fishing village almost at the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. In those days, only four people owned cars there, and it was a real "pilgrimage" to get there, because back then, there was no Ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera, just a foot-passenger launch. At that time, the only way one could go by car to Montezuma was to take a Ferry from Puntarenas to Playa Naranjo and drive all the way from there to Paquera. It was a time when "Really Bad Roads Brought Really Good People!" I went on the foot Launch and in Paquera there was an old yellow School Bus to Cobano and in Cobano only ONE TAXI drove people to Montezuma. Once I arrived there, I was amazed at the beauty all around me (the Biological Corridor runs through there). I felt I had "COME HOME", even though I couldn't speak a word of Spanish at the time. When my third, and final week of vacation ended, I literally couldn't leave, and I ended up staying for SEVEN MONTHS!!! I then returned to the United States in order to "finish up my life" there in order to return to Montezuma to make it my permanent home.
Why the Owner Chose Cóbano, Costa Rica:
I had looked for a property to buy for well over a year, focusing mostly on beach-front lands. However, the very first time I walked on this property, I knew that this was "the one". At that time, these 28-Acres were being used for raising cattle, meaning that the majority of it had been cut down, almost devoid of trees, so that the grasses would grow as pasture to feed the cattle. . What I loved the most about the property were the amazing views of the Coastline, Open Ocean, Mountains and Forest, but most of all, the fact that two sides of it bordered the beautiful Montezuma River. I was in awe of the beauty of this land, saying, "No one can 'OWN' this magnificence of nature!" Therefore, I decided that I was merely the "Guardian" of this land and "dedicated" it to be forever a true "Sanctuary" for the abundant Wildlife that existed there LONG BEFORE I came on the scene, and I planted hundreds of trees.
When I returned in 1998 to build my home, I was shocked that Montezuma had been "discovered", and was now one of the preferred tourist attractions of Costa Rica. I was so grateful that I hadn't purchased land on the beaches in town, and felt so blessed that I had purchased a "Jungle Paradise", just 5 minutes from town and the beaches. One of the blessings is that those of us who came so long ago were all predominantly environmentalists, so the miles and miles of beaches walking from town towards Tango Mar and Tambor are "PROTECTED LANDS".
The Unique Benefits at this Villa:
Montezuma Sanctuary is the perfect spot for people who want to connect with nature. Sitting on a breezy hill inside a 28 acre (11 hectare) private wildlife sanctuary, our views are 360 degrees of forest, mountains and the gorgeous coastline. The famous Montezuma River runs along the side and back of the property, just 50 meters down two different paths. This gorgeous river has abundant waterfalls (small to huge), varying-size swimming holes, howler, white-face and spider monkeys and all species of birds and animals.I invite you to share in this unspoiled jungle paradise, just steps away from the picturesque town of Montezuma and its beautiful beaches.
Warmest Regards,
Kati
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Photos
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2nd floor bedroom and deck, queen bed on wheels to sleep under the stars!
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Downstairs bedroom with king bed
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Breakfast nook and dining area
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Living room
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Howler monkeys, whose calls keep them spaced out to avoid competing for food
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Flocks of parrots are a common sight at sunset
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Motmots wag their beautiful tails, as if to say hello!
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Hallway
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Kitchen
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Veranda with rocking chairs and hammocks
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View from the veranda
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View of the trees and ocean
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Capuchin monkeys are known to enjoy their midday nap - siesta time!
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Magpie Jays are beautiful, but watch out for your food 'cause they're fearless!
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Pizotes are so cute, but please don't feed them!
Partner Offers
- Response time Within 24 hours
- Response rate 100%
- Calendar last updated 09/18/2016