Nicoya

Some Facts

Districts

History

It was created on December 7, 1848 as the second canton in Guanacaste (Liberia being the first). During the pre-Colombian period the territory was part of the indigenous provinces then called Chorotegas, which extended all the way to Lake Nicaragua. The region was inhabited by several tribes, one of whose chiefs was Nicoa (from which comes the name Nicoya).

The region was discovered by Gil Gonzalez Davila in 1523. He was warmly welcomed by Chief Nicoa, who gave him gifts of gold and other valuables. Nicoya is one of the oldest settlements in Costa Rica and it is an indigenous word meaning land with water on both sides¨. Around 1544 the Parish Church of Nicoya was built, the oldest one founded by Spaniards in Costa Rica.

Economy

Agricultural products include rice, melon and beef. Tourism is also very important. Following the Chorotega tradition, the arts and crafts produced here are of excellent quality, especially in Indian villages.

Hydrography and Climate

The canton is drained primarily by the rivers Morote, Nosara, and Tempisque. The climate is warm but varied.

Interesting Sites

The Church of Nicoya is very interesting. Its religious museum is worth a visit. Barrahonda Mountain's enormous caverns, some as much as 240 meters deep, has been of great interest to tourists (although not recommended without special equipment).

There's the waterfall, ¨El Salto¨, in the picturesque and fish abundant river, ¨Rio Grande¨. Regarding beaches, Playa Samara is one of the best in Costa Rica and it's beautiful all year round. Playa Nosara is an excellent site for swimming and fishing. Both beaches also have fine hotels and restaurants.

Other beaches include Playa Pelada, Punta Guiones, Barco Quebrado, Buena Vista y Garza. Two excellent miradores (viewpoints with restaurants) to consider are Cerro La Cruz and cerro La Palma (both within a few miles of the town of Nicoya).

The Cantones of Guanacaste