Which peninsula forms the western part of Costa Rica and borders the Gulf of Nicoya?

Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula forms the country’s western side and borders the Gulf of Nicoya.

The peninsula occupies much of Costa Rica’s northwestern Pacific coast. Its eastern shore faces the Gulf of Nicoya, while its western and southern coasts face the Pacific Ocean. Liberia, Costa Rica’s major northwestern city, lies on the mainland side near the peninsula’s northern approaches rather than on the peninsula itself.

Nicoya is known for dry tropical forests, beaches, cattle ranching, and tourism. The Nicoya Peninsula is also one of the world’s recognized Blue Zones, where unusually high numbers of residents have reached very old ages. Researchers have studied diet, activity, social networks, and local water chemistry as possible contributors.

It is distinct from the Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica. Nicoya is generally drier and more developed, while the Osa is especially noted for dense rainforest and Corcovado National Park.