Ok, this is an extremely rushed list as I create a new site for my B&B!
I thought it would be best to set this up as a blog post that I can change, and add to as we go along.
When we first moved to Costa Rica, we were asked “Are you moving to the beach?” People seem to think that is all that Costa Rica has to offer, but we know better! And as much as I love the beach, no… we chose the Central Highlands of Costa Rica.
WHY?
First, the VIEWS…. 4000ft above the Pacific with views of the Nicoya Gulf and islands that will blow your mind. Next, the weather… 60-80 degrees year round. Sometimes I actually wish I had a little fireplace.
The neighborhood… San Ramon is a tico city, not a tourist town and not filled with with all expats, though we have quite a few lovely expat neighbors due to the above! The location…we have 3 small children age 5-13. We want them to experience Costa Rica, and so do we! We are less than a 2 hours drive from 2 volcanos, 3 cloud forests, 27 waterfalls (i may have missed a few), the museums in San Jose, the Museo de San Ramon, beaches of Puntarenas and Guanacaste (ask about swimming beaches for kids), Mangrove forests, Rainforests, ziplines, nature reserves… on and on and on….And there is so much to do in and around San Ramon I feel bad when folks stay here for only a night, and honestly – so do they! The biggest complaint we get is that people wished they ahd stayed longer with us… so many great adventures for kids of all ages are right at your fingertips from this wonderful Central Location. Add the incredible sense of peace you get from Vista Valverde’s private mountaintop 4000 feet above the Pacific is a promise… you will want to stay for more than just one night!
Whats near, and how far… things for kids marked with a ***
We will have some hotels listed here, but if we don’t cover an area you are interested in, let me know and I can find out for you.
DAY TRIPS
Zarcero – cottage church and Topiary Gardens, 30 min scenic drive
Sarchi, Else Kientzler Botanical Garden*** (take lunch), Oxcart Museum and Factory ***and largest oxcart on earth, plus playground *** in central park, … 25 min (moving? get all your wooden furniture here)
Grecia, beautiful church made of all metal sheets, nice parks with good lunch spots, 30 min (moving? get your car here, TONS of used and new car dealerships line the road from the hi-way to Grecia), waterfalls and natural parks
Lands in Love Zip lines and adventure tours – 50 minutes
Piedades Sur – 20 min. Fish for your own Lunch Trout and Tilapia Farms – you catch it,they cook it! Fun for the whole family!
La Paz – Horseback riding to the Waterfall in San Ramon – 25 min ($30pp includes lunch)
San Jose The Capitol of Costa Rica , Gold Museum, Jade Museum, Barrio Amon, Central Zoo and Childrens Museum***, Central Market… 1.5 hours
SJO International Airport...take lunch and go top gun style…watch the planes land right over your head! (may be loud for small children) small carnival across the street every weekend***
Las Musas Cataratas and pools… 10 min… really, this giant waterfall cascades down a sheer cliff and you can get to the bottom! hiking trails, bbq areas, playgroud, water slide and 2 pools one kiddie, all supplied by the water fall. spend the day tico style at this great place for families. if you stay with us, we can pack a lunch for you, but there is a restaurant overlooking the fall
Puntarenas… public pools near ferry landing are great**** and there is an aquarium! have not been yet, will check it out. also the beach, restaurants, stands with stuff for sell – ebachy, touristy, but more tico touristy and FUN!
Nectandra Cloud Forest – 45 min. A natural wonder and a gem of a place, these folks take their forest conservation very seriously. Fun walk for kids, great information for adults.. don’t miss this truly unique experience of Costa Rica’s Cloud Forests. no need to go all the way to Monteverde
San Ramon open air farmers market the “Feria”(fri and sat) 5 min
town of San Ramon 7 min
University of Costa Rica in San Ramon… 5 min… you pass it on the way here!
Palmares… 15 min Famous in Costa Rica for its 2 week long Carnival every January.. we are almost booked already for 2017!
Puntarenas-Ferry to Nicoya Peninsula 1 HR