Nicoya

Population 25,000 Nicoya, 23 km south of Santa Cruz, is the Most important town on the peninsula. It was named after the Chorotega Indian Chief Nicoya, who welcomed the first Spaniards in 1523. Some locals are partly of Chorotega descent. The shining white church on the pleasant Parque Central dates to the mid- I 7th century and is worth a look. Nicoya is now the commercial center of the cattle industry as well as the political capital and the transport hub of the peninsula. Banks here will change US dollars.

Places to Stay

The Hotel Ali
Hotel Venecia
Hotel Elegancia
Hotel Chorotega
Hotel Las Tinajas
Hotel Jenny