About/Contact

Proyecto Montezuma
Proyecto Montezuma’s mission is to enrich the educational opportunities for local children and adults and to offer eager globetrotters sustainable tourism opportunities around the Nicoya Peninsula. According to the latest edition of the Lonely Planet guidebook (pg. 309), Proyecto Montezuma is a “wonderfully innovative volunteer program that not only gives to the community, but fosters cultural exchange, pays fair wages to its employees and gifts you something for giving of your time and energy….” Our volunteers help teach English, Environmental and extra-curricular courses, plus participate in environmental projects. Eager globetrotters can help Proyecto Montezuma achieve its mission by volunteering and/or by booking sustainable and popular tours with us. All tours booked with Proyecto Montezuma fund scholarships for local impoverished kids to attend classes at La Escuelita de Ingles.

Kerri Bowers
An avid traveler, Kerri (nickname La Bos) has volunteered and taught around the globe. After earning her Master’s Degree in International Training and Education from The American University, she formally taught inner city high schoolers for four years. Then, it was time to combine her formal teaching experience with her nonformal educational training abroad. She headed south to the beautiful Nicoya Peninsula and found the perfect spot. Now, with Proyecto Montezuma she directs the Escuelita de Ingles and runs the Volunteer Program. Proyecto Montezuma allows Kerri to combine her passions for teaching, traveling conscientiously and caring for our fragile planet.

Cesar Benavides
Born in Alajuela, Costa Rica, Cesar (nickname Vil) visited and fell in love with Montezuma at an early age. In the central valley of Costa Rica, he studied Eco-Tourism at the Universidad Tecnica Nacional and worked in various fields of Agro-Eco Tourism. Then, he moved to Montezuma and founded Underground Sustainable Tours, Montezuma first sustainable tour company. Now, with Proyecto Montezuma, Cesar directs all sustainable tours and adventures. He is eager to share his knowledge of the local flora and fauna, wildlife, local history and environmental care with eager globe-trotters.

Manuel Cespedes
Born literally on the beach named Playa Grande, Costa Rica (the sweet local surf beach), Manuel (nickname Moronga) has salt water in his blood.  Years ago, he worked in Jaco at the Herradura marina on a popular sport fishing boat. Then, returned to his home beach of Montezuma to learn how to surf. This was five years ago, and now  his passion for fun in the water has led him to compete in local surf competitions and work as Proyecto Montezuma’s Lead Surfer Instructor. Manuel is not only a talent surfer, but a wonderful teacher for beginners, intermediates and advanced surfers. Come and learn how to surf great waves with the area’s best local surfer!

Alvaro Dormus

You can find Alvaro (nickname Pai) either in Proyecto Montezuma’s office or leading surf lessons. Alvaro has lived in Montezuma for the past 15 years. He has been surfing waves in Montezuma and around Costa Rica and Nicaragua for the past four years and has worked in tourism leading diving tours, snorkel excursions, sport fishing and surf tours. He has the patience necessary to teach you to catch sweet waves, speaks English and can help you plan your perfect vacation while in Montezuma. Swing by Proyecto Montezuma’s office in Montezuma central and let Alvaro answer any questions and book a surf lesson with one of the area’s best surfers.

Amanda Shor

Amanda (nickname Chupis) is one of the most important people to meet when you first arrive in Montezuma. She runs the English classes and organizes volunteer activities, leads Proyecto Montezuma’s Summer School program for local kids, works in the office, and knows everything you would ever want to know about this small beach town. Amanda has her TEFL teaching certificate and graduated from Temple University and now lives in Montezuma central. Stop by Proyecto Montezuma and talk to Amanda as soon as you get to town and she will help you organize the perfect paradise vacation in Montezuma and around Costa Rica.

Kristen Atkinson
A native Canadian, Kristen found her way to Costa Rica through yoga.  After earning her 200 hour RYT Certification in 2005, she began teaching yoga in schools in Costa Rica and California.  Her love for nature shines through in her yoga practice while Costa Rica provides the perfect setting for outdoor classes and demonstrations.  She infuses laughter and fun into her classes and encourages her students to explore their practice with curiosity and gratitude.
Kristen’s innovation yoga courses combine VinYasa and AcroYoga to challenge and reward her students.

Find Proyecto Montezuma:

Downtown Montezuma, in between Restaurant Montezuma and Chico´s Bar, below Hotel Montezuma

proyectomontezuma@gmail.com

proyectomontezuma.blogspot.com

Phone: 8 314 0690

Lodging at La Guaria Hotel, shuttle from Hotel Alajuela to Playa Herradura (Jaco Beach), one hour speedboat ride to Montezuma’s shore

Total Time: 3 hours (2 hours in shuttle, 1 hour on speedboat)
Cost: $110/person

Without Accommodations:

Shuttle from San Jose/Alajuela to Herradura (Jaco Beach), one hour speedboat ride to Montezuma’s shore

Total Time: 3 hours (2 hours in shuttle, 1 hour on speedboat)

Cost: $75/person

Includes transportation from SJO airport to La Guaria Hotel (the hotel will reimburse you or pay the taxi fare when you arrive at the hotel’s reception), lodging at La Guaria in Alajuela (where the international airport is located) and shuttle to Proyecto Montezuma’s office the following morning:

• $80/person

Without Accommodations

• Shuttle from SJO Airport or your Hotel
  • $45/person
    Times change based on season, just email to confirm exact time

Here are some more ways to find us from San Jose/Alajuela, but we recommend taking this challenge after you know your way around Costa Rica and are more familiar with the transportation system (or lack of a system):

By Air

There are two companies which offer a 30 minute flight from San Jose to the Tambor Airport.  Sansa Air leaves directly from SJO (San Jose International Airport) and Nature Air departs from a small air strip nearby (30 min. drive to Pavas from SJO) and requires an additional shuttle or taxi.  Flights can be booked through http://www.flysansa.com/ or http://www.natureair.com/ and cost approximately $22-$99 plus tax and an additional charge of $1/lb. for luggage weighing more than 27 lbs.  From Tambor, you can take a taxi which will take approximately 30 minutes to Proyecto Montezuma and cost between $35-$45.  If you would like us to arrange pickup in Tambor, a driver will meet you at the airport for the lower price of $35, just email us!

By Bus

There is daily, direct service between San Jose and Montezuma at the Coca-Cola bus station.
This journey is a game of chance! It takes a minimum of 6 hours (if you hit every bus schedule with luck!), including a 1.5 hour ferry ride from Puntarenas to Paquera.

You must first take a bus ($1) or official (red or orange) taxi ($22) from the airport to the “Coca Cola” bus station.  From there, you will take the bus headed for Cobano/Mal Pais/Santa Teresa/Montezuma (the front of the bus may say all of the above beaches/towns or a mixture).

You will be making a stop in Puntarenas to hop on the ferry.  After enjoying the views of the Gulf of Nicoya and taking some great photos, your bus will meet you on the other side to bring you to Montezuma.  Stay on your toes because you will have to change buses in Cobano for the last 30 minutes of the journey.

The bus and ferry cost approximately $12 combined.  Buses depart at 6:00 am and 2:00 pm, but please make sure to call ahead for any schedule changes (this happens often).  Reservations are not available, so arrive early for tickets.
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