North of Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Preserve and south of Tambor Bay, along a forested sandy bay, Montezuma has numerous beaches, waterfalls, good fishing, seafood, surfing, snorkelling, horseback riding, hiking, and bicycling.

Playa Las Manchas is popular for snorkelling, though you need to be mindful of riptides as you gaze at the parrotfish, rays, puffers, and needlefish. The kids will like exploring the colorful rocks and tide pools at Playa Rocas. Beachfront cantinas, bars, and restaurants are plentiful in Montezuma. Playa de los Artistas on the Montezuma beachfront serves sushi, pizza, and vegetarian dishes by lantern light at driftwood tables on smooth sand floors beneath bamboo lattice ceilings.

Playa Montezuma hosts the fishing fleet. Hike half an hour to the endless sands of Playa Grande to swim, surf, boogie board, or sunbathe nude where the waves are big and the currents less strong. Horseback ride, bike, or hike the beachfront path north towards Playa Cocolito, where El Chorro waterfall tumbles into the rocky ocean. Follow the river upstream from the beach to find more waterfalls for swimming.

Playa Los Cedros, a small scenic beach flanked by a waterfall and large banyan tree near Cabuya, has a right-handed point break favored by experienced surfers when the south swells get going good. The beaches and tropical forests at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Preserve are protected as a national park. Surf at nearby Mal Pais, Playa Santa Teresa, or Playa Carmen. Surf camps can teach you the basics.

To get a true sense of the beauty of Kiawah Island venture to Marsh Island Park where you’ll be rewarded with stunning scenic views atop the Marsh Island Lookout Tower of the Kiawah River, saltwater marshes, and island hammocks. For animal lovers, don’t miss the Heron Park Nature Centre where you can participate in nature tours and programmes, birding walks, butterfly walks, and alligator walks. Bird admirers love the Great Egret Rookery, a spot where you can typically see several dozen of the magnificent white birds in trees over a lagoon. For an exceptional picnic area head to Beachwalker Park, which has a wide boardwalk that winds through palmettos, oaks, and pines. Golf on Kiawah Island is not just any recreation amenity, it’s a way of life. There are five championship courses on the island highlighted by the Pete Dye designed Ocean Course site of the 1991 Ryder Cup matches and 2007 Senior PGA Championship. In 2012, the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort will host the 94th PGA Championship. Other courses to play include the Jack Nicklaus designed Turtle Point and Gary Player designed Cougar Point courses.