Central Valley Information

HOTEL PRICE GUIDE

Inexpensive (less than $50 per night) $
Medium ($50 - $100 per night) $$
High-end ($100+ per night) $$$

The Central Valley is the heart and soul of Costa Rica. About 70% of the country’s population inhabits the area, which includes the bustling metropolis of San José and incorporated suburbs like Escazú, Santa Ana, Rohrmoser, La Sabana, San Pedro and Curridabat, as well as the prominent surrounding towns of Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago. However, at its center is agriculture. One can still encounter tradition and a slower pace of life throughout the heart of the Central Valley’s “old towns.” The climate is another major draw to the Central Valley; an average altitude of around 3,000 feet (1,000 meters) above sea level offers warm days and cool evenings. However, because of the mountainous terrain, Costa Rica presents some amazing micro-climates -- a 5 to 10 minute drive in any direction can present a whole different experience. There are dozens of tourist attractions within 1 hour from just about any part of the Central Valley – everything from the historic sites of San José, to the coffee plantations in Naranjo, to Volcanoes, beaches, shopping, fine dining and more. The Central Valley is diverse for both the casual visitor and the full-time resident. Having an international airport within 30 minutes, and the best hospital in all of Latin America are two of the major bonuses of living in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. The towns of the Central could be called the “center of the center,” and are our favorites. Each visitor seems to have their preferences, so we always recommend to see as much for yourself as possible, and with the hundreds of micro-climates throughout the Central Valley, it is wise to investigate as much as possible before putting down your permanent roots.

Atenas

Atenas, is a small, quiet town with an agricultural base, great climate, and friendly people. This town of 27,000 also contains the largest expat population outside the San José area. As a result, this multi-national community offers a wonderful blend of the traditional and the modern. Atenas bears the lofty title of “El Mejor Clima del Mundo” -- The Best Climate of the World – but one finds no arrogance here; on the contrary Atenas might just be the most welcoming town in Costa Rica.

One can find the three major public banks (Banco Nacional, Banco de Costa Rica, Banco Popular), with at least 5 ATMs, 4 larger-sized grocery stores (all accept debit and credit cards) and lots of smaller ones, 1 gas station which as been newly renovated, 2 health food stores, 4 butcher shops, 4 pharmacies, lots of clothing stores, a post office, a library, 2 gyms, a pool/party center, one huge hardware store and two smaller ones, a paint store, at least 4 doctors, a new 24-hour clinic, a private ambulance/emergency service with English speaking doctors and attendants (www.lineavitalcr.com), several dentists, several veterinarians, 3 equestrian centers, 3 cycle shops, an ice cream shop, several internet cafés and 6 B&B/Hotels. High-speed Internet and/or WiFi is now available in most of Atenas and outlying areas. As you can see, for a small traditional town, one will not sacrifice the necessities of modern living. Atenas even has a new detailed map, including street names!

Atenas is also home to a world-class Italian restaurant (Alida’s), a new Tex-Mex (Café Adobe), 2 Chinese restaurants, 3 chicken places, a couple of pizza places and several "sodas,” small typical restaurants. The School of Agriculture makes and sells several varieties of yogurt and cheese.

But the most exciting thing happening right now is the "new highway" which puts Atenas at halfway between Santa Ana and the beaches. This should put Atenas a half hour to the beaches and a 20 minutes to the San José area. Other Central Valley towns such as Grecia, Sarchi, Naranjo, San Ramon and Alajuela will be effectively by-passed and have to use the older, slower routes.

Interesting Places to Visit:

Feria – no visit to a small town in Costa Rica is complete without visiting the weekend farmers market. Though small, one can find wonderful a staggering variety of produce at very competitive prices.

El Mirador del Cafetal – This restaurant is located 10 minutes from Atenas on the road to Jacó. Enjoy a spectacular morning view of the surrounding mountains and view to the sea. During the dry season, one will be treated with one of the most magnificent sunset views to be found anywhere in Costa Rica. A souvenir shop displays a wide variety of local arts, crafts and clothing.

Parade of the The "Boyeros (Ox Cart Driver's) Parade" – An annual event in Atenas, attended by hundreds of pairs of oxen, brightly painted ox carts, and their owners.

MTB Bike Race – This is the beginning of one of the several annual bicycle events in Atenas with participants from many countries around the world.

Kay's Gringo Postres is a meeting place for Ticos and foreigners alike. Kay and her husband Tom stock a nice variety of pastries and bread, as well as serve light lunches. They have developed a wonderful selection of books that can be traded. If you want to hear what is really going on around town, Kay’s is the place.

Recommended Hotels and B&Bs:

Hotel Vista Atenas www.vistaatenas.com ($$) Manager Jonathan Solis runs one of the finest small hotels in the area. Stunning views and a personal touch couple to provide a wonderful lodging experience.

Poco Cielo Resort www.pococieloresort.com ($$)

San Ramón

Known as “the city of poets,” San Ramón is the second largest city in the province of Alajuela. Despite its large population (nearly 100,000), San Ramón retains a small-town feel. The city’s many parks offer wonderful spaces for relaxation among the city sights. San Ramón is less than an hour to the airport; one hour to the Pacific beach areas of Puntarenas; and less than two hours to Arenal Volcano. At an altitude of 4,500 feet, San Ramón has a climate all it’s own. Its fascinating hillsides contain more microclimates than anywhere else in Costa Rica – it can be cloudy and raining in the city center, but just 5 minutes to the west in Magallanes, it is sunny and considerably warmer. If one continues up the mountain, one will find the cloud forest Villa Blanca. As its name suggests this area is at cloud level and offers yet another completely different landscape and a wealth of natural diversity. The combination of climates, small town feel, and city-like amenities makes San Ramón the most diverse of the Central Valley.

Interesting places to visit:

Feria – This is the largest farmers market outside of San José and must be seen to be believed. Nearly 100 vendors offer the best of Costa Rican produce – and the least expensive to be found anywhere. Mountains of fresh fruit and vegetables are displayed in a magnificent array of colors and smells. Fresh chicken, fish and a local butcher shop are also on site. One stop shopping every Friday and Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.

Villa Blanca Cloud Forest – Located 15 minutes north of town is this very special area of Costa Rica. A unique climate among rolling farmlands leads to an area where one can engage in all types of outdoor activities: zip lining, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking or just a picnic. Many guided tours are available in the area.

Coyote Mountain Cooking School www.cerrocoyote.com -- Located 30 minutes west of town, this is a hotel, but its real uniqueness is its Creole culinary offerings. It is the only vacation cooking school in Central America – a must see!

Recommended Hotels and B&Bs

Angel Valley Farm B&B www.angelvalleyfarmbandb.com ($) Owner Andrew Mastrandonas has transformed a Costa Rican house into this charming B&B. Attention to detail and unique offerings of fusion cuisine make for a special experience.

Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel www.villablanca-costarica.com ($$$) One of the only hotels to gain a 5 leaf designation, Villa Blanca offers the best of everything. Set within its own section of the Villa Blana Cloud Forest, the hotel conducts its own hiking tours.

Grecia

Billed as “The Cleanest City in Latin America” this city does offer an air of sophistication.  It is a very well-planned city offering a combination of the traditional, as well as more modern cafés and up-scale shops created for the expanding Gringo market.  Many new developments in the area indicate that Grecia’s current population of 50,000 will continue to expand.  30 minutes from the airport and 30 minutes from the popular attraction of Poás Volcano, Grecia offers a variety of entertainment options.

Interesting places to visit:

The World of Snakes – The wonderful Web site at www.theworldofsnakes.com is an indication of how interesting and informative this attraction is.  1 to 2 hour tours are available offering an immense amount of detail, and some very comforting news about your actual chances of seeing a poisonous snake in Costa Rica, in addition to Costa Rica’s place as the leading anti-venin research location in Central America, with helicopters at the ready for any unfortunate incidents.  Over 300 reptile displays.

Poás Volcano  (45 minutes)– Without a doubt, one of the “must sees” of Costa Rica.  Get there before 10 am to ensure a view of one of the largest active craters in the world (1.5 km across).  An onsite visitor’s center runs a 15-minute educational video about the features of the volcano, as well as details about the surrounding area.  Hiking trails to an extinct crater, now a lagoon, offers a taste of the bio-diversity to be found at 9,000 feet elevation.  Bring a sweater, rain jacket and comfortable shoes!

La Paz Waterfall Gardens (45 minutes) www.waterfallgardens.com  Another “must see.”  The extraordinary waterfalls at La Paz are the feature of this park which also includes the largest butterfly exhibit in Central America, a bird sanctuary, a hummingbird feeding area, a frog exhibit, snake display, and an old Costa Rican house which offers fresh cheese produced from their own cows.  Plan for 3-4 hours to explore this wonder of Costa Rica.

Artisan town of Sarchí – This small town is located 15 minutes west of Grecia and will give the visitor a wonderful sense of Costa Rican craftsmanship.  The town is famous for two things: the Ox Cart (including the Guinness Book of World Records holder), which one can see being painted at the Fabrica de Carretas souvenir shop on the main road www.sarchicostarica.com: and the “Sarchi Chair.” www.sarchicostarica.net/productossillas.htm  This is a charming town which despite its touristy air offers a glimpse into Costa Rica’s past. 

Recommended Hotels and B&Bs