Nicoya Peninsula

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Nicoya Peninsula seen from space (false color)

The Nicoya Peninsula (Spanish: Península de Nicoya) is a peninsula on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and lies in the Guanacaste Province in the north, and the Puntarenas Province in the south. It is located at 10° N 85.4166667° W. It varies from 19 to 37 miles wide and is approximately 75 miles long, and forms the largest peninsula in the country. It is known for its beaches and is a popular tourist destination. The main transport and commercial centre in the region is Nicoya, one of the oldest settlements in Costa Rica.

[edit] Places of interest

Other notable settlements and places of interest in the area include (going roughly from north to south): Tamarindo, Santa Cruz, Nosara, Sámara, Naranjo, Paquera, Curu, Tambor, Montezuma, Santa Teresa, Mal Pais.

[edit] Conservation

There are a number of nature reserves and wildlife refuges such as Cabo Blanco, Camaronal, Cueva Murcielago, Curú, La Ceiba, Romelia and the Diria National Park, as well as the projects on the islands of the adjacent Gulf of Nicoya.