Welcome T & A and family!! 4 kids and a year's sabbatical- you guys are terrific!
The San Jose area has treasures to uncover, delight and remind you that you are in Costa Rica and that life is an adventure. These outings can also be a tonic for the struggles that involve everyday expat life--- we found that we really had to make time to enjoy being here before things like traffic, falling walls and failing insulation drove us nuts.
I know you have loads of guests in the works so I hope this is helpful!
In no particular order:
Sibu Chocolate Tour
Sibu is the name of the creator god for 2 out of the 8 Costa Rican indigenous tribes. If you just had that feeling of spontaneous learning ('I didn't know Costa Rica had 8 ethnic groups!') and you liked it, then you will like visiting Sibu. Founded by a university historian and a journalist, this is an experience meant to cultivate learning as much as tasting. Our kids have unanimously decided to go back every single time we have guests in town.
Located just shy of the pass that takes you into the biggest rain forest of Costa Rica, Sibu's setting is lovely. Set amidst tropical flora, you'll sit al fresco on a colonial style veranda, taste chocolate, hear its story and how it relates to Costa Rica. You'll finish with a delicious lunch prepared by a savvy Costa Rican chef. The gift shop is well curated.
Spoiler Alert: You will never think of white chocolate in the same way ever again!
TIPS:
Bring a light jacket. Guests will enjoy a 'real' tropical rainforest environment.
Sibu will accommodate special food requests.
5+ or enjoy roaming the grounds with the littlest ones.
* I would be sure to tell the ever-helpful Erika who books the tours exactly how old your children are- the talk is at its best when your host peppers the kiddos with questions and invites guessing.
Sibu chocolates make great gifts.
Jade Museum
Gold Museum
The Jade Museum is administered by the national insurance company, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum is administered by the central bank- there's another topic for the kiddos! The 1600 artifacts in this collection date from 500 AD to 1500 AD It's a bit like walking through a vault which is unique in itself (there's a coin museum on-site as a bonus!). I still remember the gold frogs from when I visited 20 years ago; what is really a mind-blow is seeing the miniature red dart frog depicted in gold so long ago alive and well hopping around places like Arenal.
or Red-eyed green. . . (ok I've only seen these behind glass in Costa Rica and out in the wild in Nicaragua!)
The San Jose area has treasures to uncover, delight and remind you that you are in Costa Rica and that life is an adventure. These outings can also be a tonic for the struggles that involve everyday expat life--- we found that we really had to make time to enjoy being here before things like traffic, falling walls and failing insulation drove us nuts.
I know you have loads of guests in the works so I hope this is helpful!
In no particular order:
Sibu Chocolate Tour
 |
| Photo from CostaRicaCustomTrips.com |
Sibu is the name of the creator god for 2 out of the 8 Costa Rican indigenous tribes. If you just had that feeling of spontaneous learning ('I didn't know Costa Rica had 8 ethnic groups!') and you liked it, then you will like visiting Sibu. Founded by a university historian and a journalist, this is an experience meant to cultivate learning as much as tasting. Our kids have unanimously decided to go back every single time we have guests in town.
Located just shy of the pass that takes you into the biggest rain forest of Costa Rica, Sibu's setting is lovely. Set amidst tropical flora, you'll sit al fresco on a colonial style veranda, taste chocolate, hear its story and how it relates to Costa Rica. You'll finish with a delicious lunch prepared by a savvy Costa Rican chef. The gift shop is well curated.
Spoiler Alert: You will never think of white chocolate in the same way ever again!
TIPS:
Bring a light jacket. Guests will enjoy a 'real' tropical rainforest environment.
Sibu will accommodate special food requests.
5+ or enjoy roaming the grounds with the littlest ones.
* I would be sure to tell the ever-helpful Erika who books the tours exactly how old your children are- the talk is at its best when your host peppers the kiddos with questions and invites guessing.
Sibu chocolates make great gifts.
Jade Museum
 |
| image from metmuseum.org **Nelson Rockefeller bequeathed this Costa Rican frog pendant from the 4th-8th Century to the Metropolitan Museum. . there's another interesting topic in itself. More frogs' to follow. |
Not only does the Jade Museum hold the largest jade collection in the world, you'll also be treated to lots of other Pre-Columbian gems, natural history and a good dose of geography. There is a Shamanic collection of pieces that is truly memorable and lots to keep both children and adults interested.
The 7,000+ piece strong collection has never been exhibited in its entirety before now- the breadth of it and the quality is really something to behold- I couldn't cover a third of it and I was in an all-adult crowd! The newly opened (some bumps because it is literally brand new) 5 story multi-million dollar building is a beauty and the location perfect for seeing some interesting parts of San Jose.
FOOD:
**An authentic Italian restaurant that is within striking distance of the museum is a terrific stop if you want to break up the 'casado' fare. The owner and staff are wonderful. You'll find it on the corner just past the parking that sits behind the museum--- Sapore Trattoria 2222-8906
FOOD:
**An authentic Italian restaurant that is within striking distance of the museum is a terrific stop if you want to break up the 'casado' fare. The owner and staff are wonderful. You'll find it on the corner just past the parking that sits behind the museum--- Sapore Trattoria 2222-8906
TIPS:
Try to visit on a Tuesday so you can take advantage of the National Theater noon concert (see below) if you have guests with limited time to see the area.
Closes at 3:30
Closes at 3:30
The new location makes for a nice San Jose outing-
1. The National Museum is almost next door (can be underwhelming but a good overview of Costa Rican history).
2. National Park: There is a beautiful park a couple block's away that is a green oasis and fun people watching.
I never get tired of visiting San Jose's crown jewel- the National Theater. It is a beautiful building to be sure, but what is really fascinating is absorbing just what was going on during the 'Coffee Rush' or the era of black gold. Built at the very end of the 1800's, you will be able to grasp how San Jose was able to follow behind New York and Paris in being amongst the first to electrify the city. (San Jose opened a power plant in 1884) Kids will be tickled spotting all the 'real gold' and imagining all the goods being shipped over from Europe to outfit the building.
*Be sure to take in the noon concert at the National Theater on Tuesday's. It is almost free and a great variety of entertainment is presented- you won't go wrong. Stay for a fascinating tour of the theater after with Jeff- he is extremely knowledgable and speaks excellent English.
FOOD:
The cafe located at the entrance of the theater is a great stop for all. Decadent ice cream concoctions, coffee drinks, and a host of bakery make for a fun visit.
Tips:
Plan to arrive around 11am to buy your tickets for the noon concert (or by them online) and then slip over to the cafe.The waitstaff knows how to hustle to make sure you will arrive to your seat in time for the start of the show.
****Thursdays at 5pm the salon upstairs (think a miniature version of a Versailles affair) hosts free Chamber music that lasts around an hour.
Repeat. Don't miss the tour with Jeff. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office.
1. The National Museum is almost next door (can be underwhelming but a good overview of Costa Rican history).
2. National Park: There is a beautiful park a couple block's away that is a green oasis and fun people watching.
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| image from delapuravida.com |
*Be sure to take in the noon concert at the National Theater on Tuesday's. It is almost free and a great variety of entertainment is presented- you won't go wrong. Stay for a fascinating tour of the theater after with Jeff- he is extremely knowledgable and speaks excellent English.
*Kids and guests alike will delight in the pigeon-filled square that is adjacent to the theater. You can easily walk on the pedestrian-only avenue that will take you to the new Jade Museum.
FOOD:
The cafe located at the entrance of the theater is a great stop for all. Decadent ice cream concoctions, coffee drinks, and a host of bakery make for a fun visit.
Tips:
Plan to arrive around 11am to buy your tickets for the noon concert (or by them online) and then slip over to the cafe.The waitstaff knows how to hustle to make sure you will arrive to your seat in time for the start of the show.
****Thursdays at 5pm the salon upstairs (think a miniature version of a Versailles affair) hosts free Chamber music that lasts around an hour.
 |
| Image from travelcostarica.com |
You'll have the chance to see lots of butterflies around Costa Rica, this garden is the place where you'll learn enough to feel like an encyclopedia and make all future butterfly encounters mean something. You'll also be able to challenge the family to have a good ethical ponder about butterfly 'farming.' If the kids ever had a 'butterfly release' day there's a possibility they may have come from here.
Started by a former Peace Corps volunteer and now one of the world's largest butterfly 'suppliers,' one of the parts that most fascinated our kids and our guests was seeing how they package/ship. It's a real curiosity and a great opportunity to see just how something is done that you hadn't imagined.
You reach it by taking the 'beach highway' and it's also a great way to see how much the weather and surroundings can change based on where you are in the Central Valley. La Garita area is hot most of the year and is nice snapshot of a rural area (floor of the valley vs. mountains of Heredia) that feels pretty far from the bustle of San Jose even though it's less than a half hour away.
The Jade Museum is administered by the national insurance company, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum is administered by the central bank- there's another topic for the kiddos! The 1600 artifacts in this collection date from 500 AD to 1500 AD It's a bit like walking through a vault which is unique in itself (there's a coin museum on-site as a bonus!). I still remember the gold frogs from when I visited 20 years ago; what is really a mind-blow is seeing the miniature red dart frog depicted in gold so long ago alive and well hopping around places like Arenal.
 |
| Image from smugmug.com |
Or in green at Monteverde
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| Image from govisitcostarica.com |
or Red-eyed green. . . (ok I've only seen these behind glass in Costa Rica and out in the wild in Nicaragua!)
 |
| Image from kazjaz.com (a beautiful sabbatical year blog) |
Now, top these colors off with the fact that these dart frogs are poisonous and indigenous people coated their weapons with the frogs' toxins and you've got some kiddos- talking material!
Tip:
Bring jackets. Vault-like setting means that it can get chilly.
Closes at 4:30
InbioParque
Located close by in Santo Domingo, InbioParque is billed as an eco-tourist park. The expansive grounds are supposed to represent the biodiversity found in Costa Rica. Bear in mind, it is man-made and a bit dated but our littlest one never tires of spotting the (real) sloth in the trees, seeing the pretend crocodiles, pointing at the huge tarantulas that remind her of the real ones we've seen since we lived here. The very best of InbioParque for our family has been the petting zoo area.
This is a kid-outing.
On one hand, living in Costa Rica you're surrounded by nature and spectacular nature at that. Going to InbioParque reminds me just how much contact with animals and freedom to interact means to well, to just about everyone.
There's a lot of laughs to be had at the goats who will eat your clothing and the baby animals never cease to illicit a sense of wonder.
Grandparents and guests with really little ones will especially enjoy the outing.
The volcano exhibit might need some polishing but there's great old footage of Costa Rica's volcanoes and the 'simulator' is always fun.
TIPS:
Study Google maps heavily before starting out!
Use Waze. . . are you getting it? It's not easy to find but not impossible either and the drive is beautiful.
Try not to go on a super hot day or try to go in the morning. Wear long pants and bring water. The bamboo stands are really something! Let the guide know the ages of your children.
FOOD:
In nearby Santa Barbara, a famous seafood restaurant awaits- Barco del Marisco.
Toucan Rescue Ranch
Located really close to us outside of Heredia (near Lomas), this is a trip for the kiddos to get close to 'tropical' animals including sloth babies, toucans, monkey, owls and so on. . . Leslie, the brainchild behind the Ranch has a neat story for the kids to see how the best laid plans can evolve. She never intended to become a major rehabilitation location for the country. She has students sponsoring animal enclosures and adopting sloths so it may be something the kids can tie in with their friends back home.
Our guests have really enjoyed touring with Carol who is a saint about setting up last minute tours for guests who are sorting out their schedules.
It's located in a beautiful setting (not that far from San Jose but a world away) and seeing the photos of what a malnourished toucan looks like and then seeing a pair soar overhead the next time you're at Manuel Antonio will change the experience for you. Same goes for the Scarlet Macaws. . .
Tips:
Be prepared for light showers- it's very close to the rain forest and you'll feel it.
Be prepared to want to donate. I have an Aunt who adopted a sloth. . .
That's it for now. These locations are low-hanging fruit for the San Jose area. There's so many hidden treasures like walking around at Monte de la Cruz (nice trails and playgrounds, our guests have been blown away by the 'highland' Costa Rica) or Bosque de la Hoja- both very close to you in Heredia and great 'in the field' ways to see pine forest transition to rain-ish forest. I enjoy that there are actual trails but often, I go out the roads that surround these places because they are sparsely used and in stunning locations.
I've always wanted to do the canopy tour located in Braulio Carillo (Rain Forest Adventures) known for the distinction as being the national park where the most tourists get lost! It's the park on the way to the Caribbean not too far from us with leaves as big as car windows--- a real rain forest if you will :)
Wishing you so well. It's a paradise out there and a hell depending on the moment. . . Hoping you have more of the former :)
InbioParque
Located close by in Santo Domingo, InbioParque is billed as an eco-tourist park. The expansive grounds are supposed to represent the biodiversity found in Costa Rica. Bear in mind, it is man-made and a bit dated but our littlest one never tires of spotting the (real) sloth in the trees, seeing the pretend crocodiles, pointing at the huge tarantulas that remind her of the real ones we've seen since we lived here. The very best of InbioParque for our family has been the petting zoo area.
This is a kid-outing.
On one hand, living in Costa Rica you're surrounded by nature and spectacular nature at that. Going to InbioParque reminds me just how much contact with animals and freedom to interact means to well, to just about everyone.
There's a lot of laughs to be had at the goats who will eat your clothing and the baby animals never cease to illicit a sense of wonder.
Grandparents and guests with really little ones will especially enjoy the outing.
TIPS:
Guides are available which help you get the most from your price of admission. Take the kiddos' student ID's- there's a big price difference between locals and tourists.
InbioParque does a lot of weekend festivals, many with an ethnic theme. Food is available with local vendors that fit the theme. Our kiddos especially love the ones that involve chocolate. . .
Set in the beautiful hills near Santa Barbara, The Ark Herb Farm is a trip alright. So is the owner if he is around when you go. The Ark has one of the biggest collections of medicinal herbs in Costa Rica. It's a fantastic way to be able to have a better sense of the things you'll see in the markets and what beneficial properties they hold in store for you.
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| Photo from AM Costa Rica |
There's one tree that 'bleeds' when cut with a knife, Gigi had a terrible cut on her knee which I swear the 'blood' from this tree healed her right up. The red fluid from the tree supposedly is an antiseptic and creates a 'skin'.
The Ark is behind the label of Escazu Spices and provides the cruise ships and restaurants with herbs, lettuces and other goodies. You'll see the distribution center packaging up goods and have a chance to buy as many plants as you wish. It could be a fun project for the kiddos to pick what they are interested in and see how they grow up on the mountain.
It's a fun outing for any guests who are passionate about plants or medicinal topics. There's a really neat treehouse that you can even stay in if you can ever get away or if you have a couple coming to visit that wants an unusual adventure.
TIPS:
Study Google maps heavily before starting out!
Use Waze. . . are you getting it? It's not easy to find but not impossible either and the drive is beautiful.
Try not to go on a super hot day or try to go in the morning. Wear long pants and bring water. The bamboo stands are really something! Let the guide know the ages of your children.
FOOD:
In nearby Santa Barbara, a famous seafood restaurant awaits- Barco del Marisco.
Toucan Rescue Ranch
Located really close to us outside of Heredia (near Lomas), this is a trip for the kiddos to get close to 'tropical' animals including sloth babies, toucans, monkey, owls and so on. . . Leslie, the brainchild behind the Ranch has a neat story for the kids to see how the best laid plans can evolve. She never intended to become a major rehabilitation location for the country. She has students sponsoring animal enclosures and adopting sloths so it may be something the kids can tie in with their friends back home.
 |
| From Toucan Rescue Ranch blog |
Our guests have really enjoyed touring with Carol who is a saint about setting up last minute tours for guests who are sorting out their schedules.
It's located in a beautiful setting (not that far from San Jose but a world away) and seeing the photos of what a malnourished toucan looks like and then seeing a pair soar overhead the next time you're at Manuel Antonio will change the experience for you. Same goes for the Scarlet Macaws. . .
Tips:
Be prepared for light showers- it's very close to the rain forest and you'll feel it.
Be prepared to want to donate. I have an Aunt who adopted a sloth. . .
That's it for now. These locations are low-hanging fruit for the San Jose area. There's so many hidden treasures like walking around at Monte de la Cruz (nice trails and playgrounds, our guests have been blown away by the 'highland' Costa Rica) or Bosque de la Hoja- both very close to you in Heredia and great 'in the field' ways to see pine forest transition to rain-ish forest. I enjoy that there are actual trails but often, I go out the roads that surround these places because they are sparsely used and in stunning locations.
I've always wanted to do the canopy tour located in Braulio Carillo (Rain Forest Adventures) known for the distinction as being the national park where the most tourists get lost! It's the park on the way to the Caribbean not too far from us with leaves as big as car windows--- a real rain forest if you will :)
Wishing you so well. It's a paradise out there and a hell depending on the moment. . . Hoping you have more of the former :)
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