Escazú

Introducing Escazú

Packed with gringo ex-pats and moneyed Tico aristocrats, the affluent suburb of Escazú is spread out on a hillside overlooking San José and Heredia. The area is really comprised of the three adjoining neighborhoods of San Rafael de Escazú, Escazú Centro and San Antonio de Escazú, each of which has its own unique character and flare.

San Rafael, which is one part Costa Rica, two parts USA, is dotted with strip malls, car dealerships, nice homes, nicer cars and chain restaurants that print their menus largely in English. (The US Ambassador lives in this area in a very secure-looking white-walled compound.) Escazú Centro thankfully retains a more unhurried Tico ambience, with its narrow streets and numerous shops and sodas. And the area around San Antonio remains almost entirely residential. though it does house a handful of hotels that offer spectacular views of the valley.

For the traveler, staying in Escazú is an excellent choice as it’s well connected to the city center by public buses, brimming with some of the best restaurants in the city and there are some truly top-notch accommodations to choose from.

Last updated: Jul 22, 2009