Escazu

General Information:

Location: Less than 5 miles west of San Jose and 16 miles from the International Airport in Alajuela

Weather: Warm days and mild evenings; the dry season runs from December through the end of April.

Temperatures: Daily from 70 to 81 °F; evenings range 61 to 70 °F

Altitude: From 3609 to 7546 feet above sea level

Read more about the Central Valley Tourism Region

About:

Just ten minutes from downtown San Jose, Escazu is an upscale suburb boasting fabulous mountain views, a fresh climate and modern shopping plazas. It is considered one of the most affluent San Jose neighborhoods and is comprised of three communities: San Rafael de Escazu, Escazu Centro and San Antonio de Escazu. Sprawled across the Central Valley’s rolling hills, Escazu overlooks Heredia and San Jose and offers a peaceful alternative to the hustle and bustle of the capital city.

Escazu is home to a large expatriate population and has malls, restaurants, hotels and other businesses where English is widely spoken. Visitors will find beautifully-maintained gated communities and a lavish country club along with a public 18-hole golf course. Multiplaza Escazu is one of the largest shopping malls in Latin America and features a cinema playing the latest blockbusters in English.

For a bit of local flavor,  central Escazu is dotted with traditional Costa Rican cafes (known as sodas), where typical meals are inexpensive, and Spanish is still the language of choice. The posh area around San Antonio de Escazu is mostly residential and attracts wealthy Costa Ricans and North American retirees.

Escazu is well-connected to all the main highways and is an excellent option for travelers based in the Central Valley. The area’s public transportation is a cheap and efficient way of traveling to and from nearby tourist attractions. In addition, some of the country’s finest restaurants, from Japanese to Peruvian, can be found in Escazu. 

A wide range of accommodations are available – from charming B&B’s to luxurious hotels with stunning panoramic views. Many will arrange day trips to volcanoes, hot springs, botanical gardens or San Jose museums.

Top-notch hotels, modern amenities and gourmet restaurants make this San Jose suburb a true cosmopolitan destination.

Nearby Cities:

• Alajuela

• Grecia

• San Jose

• Santa Ana