Atenas

Friday Farmers' Market

For a glimpse of Atenas culture and tradition, look no further than the Friday Farmers' Market. Held every Friday from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m., this is the place to buy fresh flowers, produce, crafts, dairy products and meats in Atenas. It is packed with locals searching for the freshest products at the lowest prices and is a fun way to spend an hour or two. Keep an eye out for colorful replicas of oxcarts, each handmade by 85 year-old Ricardo Cortez Castro. Ricardo displays his products in a wheelbarrow next to the flower stand and also sells fruit, gourds and fresh beans.

Hiking

While on the small side, the Atenas municipal forest makes for a pleasant getaway for an easy hike or picnic. Located about three miles west of Atenas on the way to Jaco, the forest has a few miles of light trails and a panoramic view of the Central Valley.

Mountain Biking 

Mountain bikers who find themselves in Atenas should take advantage of the dirt road leading out of town that eventually reaches Orotina.  On the way, steep climbs and adrenaline-pumping descents will take cyclists through a number of small villages and past amazing views of green valleys and, eventually, the Pacific Ocean.

Study Spanish or Volunteer 

Intensive Spanish classes are offered at reasonable prices at the community center known as Su Espacio (Your Space), located across from the Coopeatenas gas station. The center also coordinates volunteer placements in the Atenas area free of charge. Opportunities include teaching English, ballet, art and other subjects. The center hosts and supports cultural events such as traditional dance festivals and music concerts. Tel: 2446-7735 

Swimming

Atenas has two public swimming pools known as balnearios, Los Ranchos and El Cerro. Both areas are relatively empty on the weekdays and packed with locals on the weekends. El Rancho is located near the center of town and offers a BBQ area and picnic tables set amid the shade of trees. Visitors are charged $2 to use the pool for the day. No official hours. 

Set a few blocks south of the Red Cross, Balneario El Cerro is the busier of the two; locals pack its swimming pool, bar and restaurant on the weekends. There is a soccer field and horses are available for trail rides on Sundays.

Yoga

Hatha and yoga flow classes offered by the pool at Ana's Place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with experienced teachers Leah or Anna. Classes last an hour and start at 8:00 a.m. Cost is $3 per session. 

Downtown:

Central Park

Located in the center of town under the shade of palm trees, the pretty central park is a nice spot for taking a rest, reading the paper, or just people watching. The park is a gathering spot for locals and is bordered by several restaurants, shops, a bank, the court house and the Catholic church.

Catholic Church

Built in 1908, this beautiful church is very well-preserved and remains a focal point for many of the town’s practicing Roman Catholics.

Central Market

Just one block from the park, the town market is a hub of activity. Local buses depart for smaller towns and several sodas (small restaurants serving traditional food) sell delicious lunches for around $2-$3. Shop for fresh produce or pick up your favorite cut of meat from one of three butchers. There is also a health food shop, shoe store and a jewelry vendor. A statue of Saint Rafael, the Patron Saint of Atenas, stands in the courtyard of the market.

Boyero Monument (National Oxcart Driver)

Located in Los Angeles de Atenas, on the old oxcart road (known locally as La Presa) that once led to Puntarenas, this statue is a tribute to the tradition and hard work of the oxcart drivers.

Local Attractions:

Central America School of Farming (ECAG)

In Balsa de Atenas, seven miles from the center of town, this agro-ecotourism and animal husbandry school is one of few specialized institutions of its kind in Latin America. ECAG offers courses (in Spanish) in forestry, wildlife, food technology and animal husbandry. Situated on 1300 acres of primary forest, the school provides tours of its crocodile and tilapia farms and livestock paddocks. Visitors to ECAG can also buy fresh dairy and beef products. ECAG hosts an annual Agro-Festival in November that includes tractor tours, dances, horse rides, rodeos, bullfights, tipico food and agricultural displays.

Half-day tours can be arranged that include cheese tasting and lunch for groups of 10 or more; contact ECAG in advance to arrange tours for smaller groups. Note that if booking tours directly through ECAG, visitors are encouraged to reserve one month in advance, although exceptions are made. Tel: 2455-1000

Zoo Ave

Zoo Ave is a wildlife rescue and breeding center that houses 250 animal species native to Costa Rica and other parts of the world. Its 50 acres of lush grounds offer a spectacular bird collection including macaws, toucans, peacocks, ostriches, and resplendent quetzals. Zoo Ave’s mission is to breed endemic animal species for reintroduction into the wild. To get to Zoo Ave by bus, take either the Alajuela or La Garita bus from Atenas.

Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Admission: $15 adults, $4 children
Tel: 2433-8989

Botanical Orchid Garden

Learn about orchid cultivation and observe hundreds of orchid species. Trails meander through extensive gardens where a permanent orchid flower exhibition is always on display. Facilities include a coffee shop and souvenir store. Located in La Garita.

Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Admission: $12 adults, $6 children ages 5-12.
Tel: 2487-8095

Due to its small size and light traffic, Atenas is a pleasant town to navigate on foot. Taxis are plentiful for trips to outlying neighborhoods or nearby destinations. Visitors will find the official red taxi stand across from the central market. Red taxi: 2446-3030 or 2446-0000

Sample taxi rates:

• La Garita: $8-$10

• 
Alajuela: $15

• 
International Airport: $22-$25

• 
San Jose: $35-$40

Bus:

To Atenas: Direct buses depart the Coca Cola Terminal in San Jose for Atenas every hour, Monday through Sunday, usually from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. The trip lasts one hour and costs just over $1. Buses will stop at the international airport on request. For all Atenas bus inquiries call Coopetransatenas R.L. Tel: 2446-5767 

Direct buses from Alajuela leave the El Pacifico station located one block south of the TUASA bus terminal roughly every hour from 6 a.m. until 10:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday. The trip takes 45 minutes and costs just over $1. 

Car:

Take the Caldera highway that links San Jose to the central Pacific coast via Atenas. This route cuts travel time to just 25-35 minutes between the San Jose area ( Santa Ana and Escazu) and Atenas.

Alternatively, you can take Highway 1 from San Jose or the airport.  On Route 1 follow signs to San Ramon, and continue straight for ten to fifteen minutes and take the exit for Jaco via Atenas. The road passes through the town of La Garita and crosses a bridge over the Rio Grande. A few winding miles after the bridge brings you to Atenas.

Supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, shops, Internet cafes and restaurants are plentiful in downtown Atenas.

Phones

Cell phone reception is reliable throughout the town. Pay phones are located in central park; prepaid phone cards can be purchased in pharmacies or supermarkets for local and international calls.

Internet

Several restaurants and Internet cafes in downtown Atenas offer high-speed connections for around $1 per hour, or free WiFi service to paying guests.

Banks

Atenas has three state-run banks: Banco Nacional, Banco Popular and Banco de Costa Rica. Each has ATMs that dispense both dollars and colones. Typical banking hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  

Medical Facilities

Linea Vital offers private English-speaking medical care for the Atenas community. Clinic staff provide home visits, emergency care and general medical services 24/7. Additionally, the local Red Cross has ambulance service. For major injuries and comprehensive care, patients may visit CIMA hospital in nearby Escazu or Hospital San Rafael, located in Alajuela.

Atenas Red Cross (24 hours) 2446-5161
Linea Vital (24 hours): 2446-7440
CIMA Hospital (24 hours) 2208-1144

Gas Station

Atenas' only gas station is on the main road that bypasses the town. It is located adjacent to a Banco Nacional ATM machine.

Post Office

The Atenas post office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Atenas offers a modest selection of mid-range hotels and B & B’s, most of which range between $35-$75 per night with breakfast included. Several have pools, on-site restaurants and free WiFi for their guests. For those in search of upscale lodging, a couple of hotels on the outskirts of town are excellent options.

From traditional Costa Rican dishes to tasty Italian, Atenas restaurants accommodate varying tastes and budgets:

Balcon del Cafe

A popular cafe that serves tempting lunches along with lighter fare (empanadas and quiche) and a very good cup of coffee. German owner, Melanie, also makes fresh bread, buttery pastries and delightful cakes and pies daily. Patrons can choose from a modest selection of imported cheeses and German sausages, plus sauerkraut, chutneys and other delicacies. Located in Roma Centro; closed Sundays.

La Gelataria

Enjoy creamy, smooth gelato in this cheerful spot overlooking central park. Small cups go for $1, and a rainbow of flavors are available -- from coconut and cheesecake to Oreo.

Rancho Tipico La Trilla

Serving some of the best Costa Rican fare in town, La Trilla is an open air restaurant lit with twinkling lights in the evening. Their specialties are casados, a dish of rice, beans, salad and your choice of meat. Arrive with a huge appetite: these plates are massive and can easily serve two people.

La Trocha del Boyero

Charming rancho-style restaurant run by a husband and wife duo that features one of the tastiest Caribbean dishes (rice and beans infused with coconut milk plus stewed chicken) this side of Puerto Viejo. If you're craving a tender steak, flavorful seafood soup, or a hearty plate of garlic jumbo shrimp, La Trocha can't be beat.

Soda Las Tres Hermanas

Run by three sisters, this small eatery in the central market is packed with locals and serves great fish ceviche, casados and other Costa Rican favorites. Prices are low at $3 for most lunches. Open for breakfast and lunch everyday.  

Kay’s Gringo Postres

A local haunt for Atenas expats, Kay’s offers casual American fare including great burgers, chili, biscuits with gravy and a variety of desserts. Owned by a South Dakotan couple, Kay’s also has a lending library, hosts a weekly womens' group, and is a good source of information for new Atenas residents. Check out their special Tex-Mex buffets (by reservation only) and chicken fried steak luncheons.

Soda Tio Mano 

Near the park, this inexpensive soda is a popular gathering spot for locals. Fried chicken, hamburgers, sandwiches, hot dogs and other fast food are menu staples. Try some of their homemade desserts like pineapple upside down cake and sweet corn cake.

Pizza Ekalis

Ekalis is a good choice when you're craving fast food.  Chow down on pizza, hamburgers, pastas or fried rice with chicken. Located on the west side of the Catholic church. Delivery service is available. 

Pizzeria Alida’s

Alida’s offers a nice break from Costa Rican cuisine. Italian owners and chefs prepare delicious thin crust pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven, antipasti and pastas. Located on the main road (Highway 3), past the blinking traffic light. 

La Fiesta de Los Pupusas

Located on the left side of the main highway to Atenas, about a half mile before the town center, La Fiesta serves El Salvadoran and Costa Rican dishes. They specialize in pupusas, a thick corn tortilla filled with cheese, beans, or meat. 

Chicharronera Don Yayo

Next to the Fiesta de Los Pupusas, Don Yayo is packed with Costa Ricans traveling to and from the beach on the weekends and serves both bar food and full meals along with plenty of cold beer. For a hearty appetizer or light lunch, try their chifrijo, a combination of rice, beans, salsa and deep fried pork served with yucca and lime.

Atenas is a conservative, small town and the nightlife is almost non-existent. Those in search of discos and bars should consider nearby Escazu or Santa Ana.

Bar La Esquina Caliente

If you don't mind smoke and love to people watch, this hot little corner is about the only place in town that is always packed, no matter what the hour. A full bar serves up regulars, which include a blend of locals and expats. Located opposite the corner of central park.

Bar El Nacho

The latest addition to the small town bar scene, Nachos offers traditional Costa Rican dishes along with the usual cocktail and beer menu. Look for live music on the weekends.