Vista Valverde's Farm Stay Guidebook
Food scene
Restaurants, cafes, and remember - sodas are little lunch spots, some are open for breakfast too but close between 3 and 5pm.
Great food, also he speaks English so he understands vegetarian and vegan options when wanted. Amazing! Also has something for everyone and homemade icecream!
PELI'S
Avenida 1Great food, also he speaks English so he understands vegetarian and vegan options when wanted. Amazing! Also has something for everyone and homemade icecream!
Great soda with decent prices. To go or eat in! Love the fish boca for lunch. Empanadas take a while to cook - big and fresh! Soda also made traditional Costa Rican way!
Soda chaparral
Great soda with decent prices. To go or eat in! Love the fish boca for lunch. Empanadas take a while to cook - big and fresh! Soda also made traditional Costa Rican way!
The atmosphere is great, the food is amazing, and the views over the park are unique to here alone. DO not miss at Christmas time when the spectacular lights of the park glow through the night. Bur bring a thick wallet - not cheap.
7 místní doporučují
Octubre 29 Gastrobar
The atmosphere is great, the food is amazing, and the views over the park are unique to here alone. DO not miss at Christmas time when the spectacular lights of the park glow through the night. Bur bring a thick wallet - not cheap.
Cool and fun areas to Visit
These are areas, not necessarily a specific place, that you might want to spend some time in - a day or more. They are places we like :)
Sarchi is home to our historical oxcart factories, though it is mostly for tourists these days. Take a free tour of the main factory at Eloy Alfaro, then watch the artists paint in the back. Some apprentice for 20 years or more! Be sure to leave a tip, and check out the men's bathroom! Lady's ask your gent to take a pic ;)
63 místní doporučují
Sarchi
Sarchi is home to our historical oxcart factories, though it is mostly for tourists these days. Take a free tour of the main factory at Eloy Alfaro, then watch the artists paint in the back. Some apprentice for 20 years or more! Be sure to leave a tip, and check out the men's bathroom! Lady's ask your gent to take a pic ;)
Puntarenas used to be one of Costa Rica's most popular weekend destinations. Crowds of Chepes (people who live in San Jose) would board the train and head to the beach for the weekend. One of the former corrupt presidents abruptly closed the railroads when it ate at his trucking company profits, and the area was completely stripped of its livelihood overnight. Making a small comeback, this area has a lot more going for it that many people give it credit. Architect and history buffs should slather on the sunscreen and take a few hours to wander and enjoy this rough gem. Be careful of some of the streets, however, there is definitely a healthy theft and drug scene here. Don't wander off the main strip after dark. Can catch the ferry to Tambor, but first take a look around, eat kabobs on the beach, and wash it down with a granizado. Pura vida!
37 místní doporučují
Punta Arenas
Puntarenas used to be one of Costa Rica's most popular weekend destinations. Crowds of Chepes (people who live in San Jose) would board the train and head to the beach for the weekend. One of the former corrupt presidents abruptly closed the railroads when it ate at his trucking company profits, and the area was completely stripped of its livelihood overnight. Making a small comeback, this area has a lot more going for it that many people give it credit. Architect and history buffs should slather on the sunscreen and take a few hours to wander and enjoy this rough gem. Be careful of some of the streets, however, there is definitely a healthy theft and drug scene here. Don't wander off the main strip after dark. Can catch the ferry to Tambor, but first take a look around, eat kabobs on the beach, and wash it down with a granizado. Pura vida!
There is nothing about this area I dislike! Wonderful people, amazing Caribbean inspired food, best fish in Costa Rica if you ask me. And then the white sand beach (Manzanillo) just below is a treat you don't find elsewhere in the country. A MUST - for anyone interested in culture, and an especially fun treat for the kids in my opinion, is a visit to the BriBri Indigenous Reserve. You can take a tour or drive. If you try and go by bus, you might end up like us, in a dug out canoe coming up river to get home since the last bus leaves about 2. Bows and arrows in tow!
43 místní doporučují
Cahuita
There is nothing about this area I dislike! Wonderful people, amazing Caribbean inspired food, best fish in Costa Rica if you ask me. And then the white sand beach (Manzanillo) just below is a treat you don't find elsewhere in the country. A MUST - for anyone interested in culture, and an especially fun treat for the kids in my opinion, is a visit to the BriBri Indigenous Reserve. You can take a tour or drive. If you try and go by bus, you might end up like us, in a dug out canoe coming up river to get home since the last bus leaves about 2. Bows and arrows in tow!
Sightseeing
Great waterpark for a day trip! Typical tico style pools with waterslide, all fed with natural water from the gorgeous waterfall. Can swim in waterfall too! Hiking, zip lines, playground and covered ranchos with BBQs or eat in the nice, huge restaurant. Pay per person for admission, parking is free.
20 místní doporučují
Balneario Las Musas
Great waterpark for a day trip! Typical tico style pools with waterslide, all fed with natural water from the gorgeous waterfall. Can swim in waterfall too! Hiking, zip lines, playground and covered ranchos with BBQs or eat in the nice, huge restaurant. Pay per person for admission, parking is free.
One of our local favorites, this cloud forest is a slightly intense and scientific look at the cloud forests of our region. A roughly 3 hours tour, this is NOT your touristy cloud forest destination. Treat yourself! Run by environmentalists scientists, this wonderful preserve is privately run and is a true look at conservationism in our country.
6 místní doporučují
Nectandra Cloud Forest Garden
One of our local favorites, this cloud forest is a slightly intense and scientific look at the cloud forests of our region. A roughly 3 hours tour, this is NOT your touristy cloud forest destination. Treat yourself! Run by environmentalists scientists, this wonderful preserve is privately run and is a true look at conservationism in our country.
How could you possibly come to San Ramon and not visit our local volcanos?! Arenal is just one of the ring of fire volcans that are within a 2 hour drive of Vista Valverde. If you want to hike, see the waterfall, AND hit the hotsprings, we definitely recommend an overnight.
234 místní doporučují
Arenal Volcano
How could you possibly come to San Ramon and not visit our local volcanos?! Arenal is just one of the ring of fire volcans that are within a 2 hour drive of Vista Valverde. If you want to hike, see the waterfall, AND hit the hotsprings, we definitely recommend an overnight.
Any lover of waterfalls must visit this lovely dream spot. EL SIlencio is close by, and there is hiking, and swimming, and just a lovely day in our gorgeous Costa Rica.
26 místní doporučují
Bajos del Toro
Any lover of waterfalls must visit this lovely dream spot. EL SIlencio is close by, and there is hiking, and swimming, and just a lovely day in our gorgeous Costa Rica.
About 1 Hour - Fun morning with the kids, and just right for adults who want to learn some of the history of San Ramon without overload. This wonderful little spot is directly off the promenade North of the park, and is a great treat when the rains come in. Sometimes projects are going on for the little ones, just poke around and ask! It is very small - read up on the history of the building itself (used to be 2 stories!). As a history buff myself, I think it is just enough to see and read after a morning coffee and just wanting a peaceful stroll. Almost always 2-3 visitors tops, if that, have been there when we visit. And with 2 rambling, boys, I always though their laughter alone would crack the walls! I honestly can't remember if there is a charge - I think you just walk right in. If anything, it is a few dollars per person. Almost always has a special exhibit up front which is always wonderfully designed. Also has a bathroom for about 200 colones! Anyone could use it pre-pandemic, as guidelines change, not sure what the deal is now. Enjoy! Say hi to my giant sloth!!!
12 místní doporučují
San Ramon Regional Museum
Avenida 1About 1 Hour - Fun morning with the kids, and just right for adults who want to learn some of the history of San Ramon without overload. This wonderful little spot is directly off the promenade North of the park, and is a great treat when the rains come in. Sometimes projects are going on for the little ones, just poke around and ask! It is very small - read up on the history of the building itself (used to be 2 stories!). As a history buff myself, I think it is just enough to see and read after a morning coffee and just wanting a peaceful stroll. Almost always 2-3 visitors tops, if that, have been there when we visit. And with 2 rambling, boys, I always though their laughter alone would crack the walls! I honestly can't remember if there is a charge - I think you just walk right in. If anything, it is a few dollars per person. Almost always has a special exhibit up front which is always wonderfully designed. Also has a bathroom for about 200 colones! Anyone could use it pre-pandemic, as guidelines change, not sure what the deal is now. Enjoy! Say hi to my giant sloth!!!
Neighborhoods
Lovely park with church, and all kinds of fun shops and restaurants around the center. Also several original wooden buildings on the old road from San Ramon to Palmares, and around town if you walk about a block from the park.
Palmares
Lovely park with church, and all kinds of fun shops and restaurants around the center. Also several original wooden buildings on the old road from San Ramon to Palmares, and around town if you walk about a block from the park.
Berlin is one of the cooler parts of San Ramon, but worth a drive to the local soda for a little day trip if you are here for a few weeks or more. The views are amazing to San Ramon, and to the Ocean on a clear day. At 4500+ feet above sea level, a much cooler area than many parts of San Ramon, with some gorgeous large estate tucked in. Many expats have built grand homes here.
Berlín
Berlin is one of the cooler parts of San Ramon, but worth a drive to the local soda for a little day trip if you are here for a few weeks or more. The views are amazing to San Ramon, and to the Ocean on a clear day. At 4500+ feet above sea level, a much cooler area than many parts of San Ramon, with some gorgeous large estate tucked in. Many expats have built grand homes here.
Doporučení související s městem
Místní doprava
Taxis are easy if you don't feel like driving
Let's face it, our mountain is gorgeous, but some folks don't want to deal with the last 1000 meters of country road after dark. Take a taxi. We will offer an updated list of taxi numbers before you arrive!
Nenech si ujít
Friday/Saturday Farmer's Market
noon-8 on Friday and about 8-noon on Saturday, the Feria is amazing! Everything from underwear to piñas!
Co si sbalit
A Sweater! It can get down right cold...
Our temperatures can range from 55-85, though it is typically between 60-75 degrees. Weather in our area varies year round and all day too - in the morning you might wake up in the clouds and not be able to see 15 feet in front of you. Later in the day you could be looking for shade just walking down the drive.
Cestování s dětmi
Bring things you can donate
Are you going to be buying keepsakes to take home? Fill the space on your way down with clothes, school supplies, baby items, toys, reusable diapers - anything you can donate. Almost every place you stay can help you find a place to donate them, or even offer it to their own staff. At $3/hr minimum wage, even having a job leaves many families in need.
Cestování s dětmi
Leave the stroller, bring the backpack
Walking a stroller anywhere in Costa Rica is a joke, unless you plan to be in San Jose the whole time. I highly recommend a travel backpack for your little ones!
Zvyky a kultura
Pura vida!
Just getting through the airpot in Costa Rica, you will hear the term Pura Vida! repeated over and over! Pure Life! Happy Life! Its all good! Hi! Bye! Have a nice day! Hello! Whatever! You are being a jerk! Calm down! Pura vida is used in all these ways - a greeting, and thank you, a reminder.