Recommendations of Attractions in Atenas

Recommendations of Attractions in Atenas
We are excited to be able to welcome you to
beautiful Costa Rica! Our guests often ask about
the attractions in the Central Valley so we have prepared a number of
“things to do list while you are in the Central Valley” which we
encourage you to investigate. Or you may just decide to relax and soak in the rays of sunshine, or sit by the pool and
read a book, or take a nap in one of our hammocks. Or you can feast your eyes on the many birds, trees, flowers in the
surrounding gardens of your very own positively private paradise. We are also “Pet Friendly” so you can bring your furry
friend!
With a rich diversity of natural beauty and superb wildlife, Costa Rica has a proud Latin
American heritage and a culture that exudes both warmth and hospitality. Costa Rica has
become the tourist mecca for nature lovers and adventurers alike. Attracting more than a
million tourists every year with its virgin beaches, meandering rivers, magnificent forests,
panoramic vistas and incredible wildlife, Costa Rica is now a favorite getaway.
Among the smallest Latin American countries, Costa Rica, unlike its neighbors, is known
throughout the world for its peacefulness and political stability. With no army for more than a half century, Costa Ricans
or Ticos, as they are known, enjoy a high standard of living and a social harmony that can be felt in every single corner of
the country.
While Costa Rica is small in size, it makes up for this in its dramatic beauty with plenty to see and more to do. Nature
hikes, white water rafting, kayaking, surfing, canopy tours, rappelling, scuba diving, snorkeling, sport fishing, and
mountain biking are just some of the many adventures one can indulge in while exploring this still vastly undiscovered
lush and verdant region.
With a handful of active volcanoes, many gorgeous beaches, dense forestation that
stretches for miles on end and some of the world’s most exotic habitats, Costa Rica sits a
world apart along the narrow isthmus that connects North and South America. Flanked to
the right by the Atlantic, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean, this tiny country sums up its
entire life style in a single phrase “Pura Vida” which literally means pure life!
ATENAS HAS A VARIETY OF RESTAURANTS AND CAFES…Some of our favorite restaurants in Atenas include La Trilla,
which is located very near the only gas station in town. They have excellent seafood and a good selection of other Costa
Rican dishes. Another favorite restaurant in town located near the Town Square is Antano’s…they have the best chicken
lasagna and the tastiest smoothies made from many locally grown fruits. Another local restaurant near the town square
is LaCarreta. It has a smaller menu selection but is still an excellent choice for lunch or dinner (free WiFi too). La Trocha
is another favorite romantic restaurant located south of town just off Highway 3 and has excellent menu selection. Our
favorite Italian restaurant is Alida’s. It is at the corner just as you enter the new Radial cut-through to Highway 27.
If you want a great view for dinner and a great meal, take a taxi to Mirador El Pueblo. The drive is through narrow
winding roads and at night the roads are especially dark. But the view and good food is worth the time and trouble to
go there. The views at night are spectacular. My most favorite meal there is the Fish Al Ajillo (in garlic) and it is the best I
have ever had.
One of the favorite hang-outs for most visitors from the U.S. is a stop at Kay’s Postres Restaurant…the place to meet
and find out what is going on in Atenas for English speaking visitors. The new owners, Harold and Lisa and their team,
serve breakfast and lunch week days, and an outstanding brunch on Sunday’s. They also have available free Wifi and a
good size paperback lending Library. Be sure to stop by and join in. You can find Kay’s near the corner of the Red Cross
office on the edge of town.
Most restaurants do add in a 10% gratuity to your bill. Many attractions and restaurants will take U.S. dollars as well as
Colones, the currency of Costa Rica (as an estimate, use 500 colones to one US $). There are several banks located just
off the Town Square of Atenas and all of them have ATM’s. Atenas also has pharmacies, four supermarkets, many small
shops, spas, and various other local businesses. Be sure to look through the Welcome book that can be found in the
Living Room that has helpful information about the house, Atenas Yellow Pages of businesses in the area, and many
brochures from various attractions.
Attractions
Poas Volcano National Park
A trip to the closest active volcano is an
excellent easy day outing. The drive to the Park takes you on narrow roads that
wind through a landscape of fertile coffee plantations, farms and dark forests.
A visit to the Poas Volcano, which stands 8,885 ft. tall and is located within the
Poas National Park, has a very nice information center. Overlooking the Crater
Lake, the visitor’s center offers a spectacular view of the volcano. It is a site
that should be a top priority for anyone traveling to Costa Rica. A paved road
leads right to the top of the crater, although you will have to hike about a half
mile to reach Poas’s crater. The crater is said to be the second largest in the
world, and is more than a mile across. Geysers in the crater sometimes spew steam and muddy water almost 600 ft. into
the air, making this the largest geyser in the world. Admission is $10. The Park is open daily 8:30 am - 3:30 pm. If you
want to see the crater, it is best to arrive early in the morning to minimize fog which rolls in later. Be prepared for
cooler temperatures, especially when the sun is not shining.
http://www.anywherecostarica.com/attractions/national-park/poas-volcano
LA Paz Waterfall Gardens/and Peace Lodge is also located on the way to
the Poas National Park, but it may be best to visit this exciting site on the way
back from the volcano. The original attraction here consists of a series of trails
through primary and secondary lush tropical forests where there are several
beautiful waterfalls alongside the La Paz River. In addition to an orchid garden and
a hummingbird garden, there is a huge butterfly garden, birds, butterflies,
monkeys, sloths, snakes, frogs and jaguars. Our favorite here is the Bird Aviary
because you can get photos of a many birds up close and even a Toucan perched
on your arm. At La Paz Waterfall Gardens, you are guaranteed to see all that and
more. Many guests say this has been their favorite attraction…and you can easily spend a whole day here because they
have a large buffet with quite a varied menu to please just about everyone. Open daily 8 am – 5 pm.
Reservations Telephone 506-2482-2720 www.waterfallgardens.com
A visit to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens Butterfly Observatory
is sure to bring smiles. Visitors who have walked the trails and visited the
Butterfly Observatory and Hummingbird Gardens are feeling as if they are
part of nature without feeling as they are intruders. Since the LaPaz
Waterfall Gardens are located in the Rainforest, visitors are able to enjoy
their interaction with the butterflies even when the weather is not
cooperating. On-site guides will walk you through the observatory, pointing
out eggs, caterpillars and the camouflaged chrysalises. Open daily 8 am – 5
pm. www.waterfallgardens.com
ZOO Ave., La Garita, Alajuela
Dozens of scarlet macaws, reclusive owls, majestic
raptors, several different species of toucans, and a host of other brilliantly colored
birds from Costa Rica and around the world make this one exciting place to visit.
There are other species on view that include iguanas, deer, tapir, ocelot, puma, and
monkeys and a 12 foot crocodile! It takes about two hours to walk the paths and
visit all the exhibits. Admission is $20 for nonresidents. Open daily 9am – 5 pm.
http://costarica.com/attractions/zoo-ave/
EL Toledo Organic Coffee Tour in Atenas – a guest spent an
afternoon at the small El Toledo coffee plantation and says it is a must see
attraction if you are staying in Atenas! The tour given by the owner’s son is
real, unaffected, un-commercial, informative, and inspirational and gives you
a great perspective on what organic farming is all about. For those who want
to learn about organic farming, this is a phenomenal tour. Depending on
what time your tour is, you will always enjoy samples of their coffee and you
may also enjoy a lunch. Check their calendar for availability on dates and
times. $15 per person for the 2 1/2 hour tour. Wear comfortable shoes!
http://coffeetour1.blogspot.com/search/label/El%20Toledo%20Coffee%20Tour
DOKA Coffee Estate Tour
This large and long-standing coffee estate in Alajuela offers a tour that takes you from “seed to
cup”. Along the way, you’ll get a full rundown of the processes involved in the growing, harvesting,
curing, packing and brewing of their award winning coffee. Allow about 2 ½ hours. Reservations
required. Tours Mon- Friday 8:00AM to 5:00 PM - Saturdays and Sundays until 4PM.
Best GOLF in the Central Valley- Parque Valle del Sol in Santa Ana
about a 30 minute drive east on Highway CR27 also known as the Caldera Highway
(www.vallesol.com) 2282-9222. The 18-hole course here is open to the general
public. Green fees range from $44 and up per golfer per day, including the cart and
unlimited playing both on the course and driving range. Reservations are essential.
SHOPPING – Multi Plaza Mall in Escazu is one of the country’s best and largest megamalls. Escazu is a suburb
of San Jose and a very upscale city located off Highway CR 27 (Caldera Highway) only about a 30 minute drive from
Atenas. Here you will have access to many posh restaurants, lots of stores that you would find in the states, and multiple
theatres in English and Spanish. The countries best private hospital is CIMA. It is also located in Escazu about 35 minutes
east of Atenas.
http://www.multiplazamall.com
Zip Line Tour at Adventure Park- Puntarenas -Feel your adrenaline
soar as you zoom across 25 zip line cables and over 11 waterfalls at Adventure
Park Costa Rica! This has been our favorite zip line tour. They also serve a nice
Costa Rican lunch or dinner after your day of thrills through the jungle.
Spectacular outing but getting there by car is a challenge. Even with a GPS in
your car it is not an easy place to find. They also will offer to pick you up at a
Jaco hotel if you do not choose to drive there…which is a great idea! They also
offer a fee-based service to have a driver pick you up at your location if you
have a large enough group. http://www.viator.com/tours/Jaco/Waterfall-Canopy-Zipline-Tour-at-Adventure-ParkCosta-Rica/d4144-5726WATERFALL01
If a beach visit is on your “must do” list , the closest beaches on the Pacific side of Costa Rica are Playa Herradura,
Playa Jaco and Playa Dona Ana. The easiest way to get to the beaches is to head west on Highway CR 27
(Caldera Highway.) Then follow the signs to get you to several beaches that are off Highway CR 34 (Southern Coastal
Highway.) From Atenas it will average about 45 minutes depending on the various beaches you want to visit. Week-end
traffic is always busier.
NOTE: CR27 is one-way (both sides) toward San Jose from the beach areas on Sunday afternoon.
Do not try to GO TO the beach area on Sunday afternoon.
Playa Herradura is home to the Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort. Their 250-slip Marina is the
center for many sport fishing, scuba diving, and other waterborne activity. A half day fishing trip for four people cost
around $700 to $1200, and a full day costs between $1,000 and $1,700. (www.coastarica-fishingcharters.com)
They also have an excellent 18 hole Golf course La Iguana (www.golflaiguana.com) that is open to non-guests.
Green fees are $160 for a full round or if you tee off after noon the fee is $130. Club and shoe rentals are also available.
Vista Los Suenos Canopy Tour (http://www.jacocanopy.com/adventure-tours/canopy-tours/ has 15 zip-line
platforms with excellent views, and boasts the longest cable in the area, at almost a half mile in length. Admission is $60
per person. Reservations are essential.
Playa Jaco is definitely a surfer-dominated Pacific beach town that has a long stretch
of beach that is natural volcanic sand strung with a dense hodgepodge of hotels,
souvenir shops, seafood restaurants, and rowdy bars. Some of the larger hotels also
have gaming casinos. The sunsets are absolutely breath taking while your sipping that
glass of wine sitting in one of the many restaurant’s located on the water’s edge of the
Pacific.
http://www.hbhcr.com/jaco_map.gif
Playa Dona Ana
is located in North Puntarenas and could be an ideal destination
to get away from the crowds. Playa Dona Ana is located a little over eight miles from
the city of Puntarenas and around a mile from the port of Caldera. The beach is
surrounded on each side of the bay by rocky cliffs with the opportunity to see
Capuchin monkeys living in the wild. Great photo opportunities abound. The water is
warm and inviting but be careful of the currents. There are plenty of covered picnic
tables close to the water and the volcanic sand is plenty warm. So be sure to bring
shoes. Playa Doña Ana now has nice off the road parking and has its own restaurant
and restroom facilities. It has a small entrance fee and is managed by the government.
One of the best rainforest canopy tour is the Rain Forest Aerial Tram Pacific
near Jaco beach. It features 18 gondolas that give rides to a maximum of 9
passengers each, including one bilingual (English/Spanish) naturalist guide, that takes
the passengers on a tour of the canopy and the rich ecosystem of Costa Rican rain
forests. Admission is $60 per person. Buy Aerial Tram tickets online to get 10%
discount on every ticket purchase!
Whatever you do, or don’t do, you are sure to enjoy your stay. And during your sight-seeing, if you
pick up extra brochures and would like to add them to our collection at the house, that would be
most appreciated. And remember we are "Pet Friendly” so ask about accommodations for your
pet!
Best wishes from your “amigos” in Costa Rica,
a land of stupendous scenery, lots of sunshine and many smiles.
Steve and Dianne Doughty
Atenas Vacation Villas – Our Promise: Provide a Positively Private Paradise!
[email protected]
Atenas, Costa Rica
800-318-3848