Things to do in Northern Lowlands
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Heliconia Tours & Restaurant
reviewed
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Soda La Macha
You don’t exactly get a menu at this fine soda, on the main road across from the bus stop. Everything here is cooked using a wood-fired oven. Just request your casado (set meal) or gallo (tortilla sandwich) preferences and they’ll be made on the spot.
reviewed
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Viajes y Excursiones Cabo Rey
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Venado Caves
reviewed
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Sueño Azul Resort
Yoga-retreat groups make up the majority of guests at Sueño Azul, a top-end resort upon a hill. Independent travelers interested in honing their yoga practice will appreciate the appeal of this peaceful place, especially at the secluded bamboo yoga platform if no groups have scheduled a stay. Spacious, airy rooms have a hot-water shower and bamboo furnishings, and are nestled on the grounds of this private jungle reserve. Hiking trails offer jungle walks to waterfalls, and the reserve can also be explored on horseback.
reviewed
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Soda Norma
With outdoor tables overlooking the park, this is a seriously top-notch soda, serving some of the most beautiful casados (with all the trimmings) you’ve ever seen.
reviewed
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Soda La Palmera
Right at the entrance to the refuge, this pleasant soda serves Tico standards and fresh fish, including your personal catch of the day. The staff can also arrange local guides for fishing and naturalist trips (US$45, two hours, up to three people). Advance reservations are recommended in the high season.
reviewed
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Soda La Macha
You don’t exactly get a menu at this fine soda, on the main road across from the bus stop. Everything here is cooked using a wood-fired oven. Just request your casado (set meal) or gallo (tortilla sandwich) preferences and they’ll be made on the spot.
reviewed
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Soda Judith
reviewed
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Soda Juanita
Right next to the dock, this cheery, bright-green soda serves up tasty casados, the usual deep-fried fast foods, batidos (fruit shakes) and coffee. Seating at the counter or at one of the thatch-shaded tables makes a sweet spot to watch the world go by and await your boat to Nicaragua.
reviewed
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Serpentario
A great, locally run attraction is La Virgen’s famous snake garden, where you can get face-to-face with more than 60 different species of reptiles and amphibians, including poison-dart frog, anaconda and the star attraction, an 80kg Burmese python. The owner of the serpentario, Lydia, gives impromptu tours and takes certain snakes out of their cages for big hugs and memorable photo ops. The mural outside is most definitely tattoo-worthy.
reviewed
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Restaurante y Cabinas Tía Rosita
Tía Rosita is the most highly recommended soda (lunch counter) in La Virgen, with excellent casados (set meals), Costa Rican–style chiles rellenos (stuffed fried peppers) and horchata (sweet rice shake), and service with a smile. The family also rents several cabinas (single/double/triple US$11/17/23) with private hot shower, TV, fan and plenty of breathing space. There’s an onsite internet cafe (₡300 per hour).
reviewed
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Restaurante La Casona
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Restaurante El Parque
This popular spot facing the plaza has some of the best eats in town, and it’s open early if you’re looking to get your coffee fix before setting out on the river.
There’s a Palí two blocks north of the bus stop, and the local Almacén de Los Chiles on the west side of the soccer field to meet all of your grocery and bakery needs.
reviewed
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Restaurant Buena Vista
This breezy spot serves a good mix of typical Chinese food. It’s also aptly named (Good View) as the river views are wonderful, although customer service leaves much to be desired.
reviewed
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Rancho Tulipán
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Rancho Leona
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Rancho Don Horacio
Right off the plaza, and far more atmospheric, is this romantic restaurant with red tablecloths, mood lighting and a nice bar. The specialty is steak, and chances are it was born, raised and slaughtered right here in Upala.
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Pantanal Tours
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Panadería Cafetería Musmanni
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Palí Supermarket
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Heliconia Island
This self-proclaimed ‘oasis of serenity’ is arguably the most beautiful garden in all of Costa Rica. Heliconia Island is a masterpiece of landscape architecture that was started in 1992 by New York City native Tim Ryan, a former professor of art and design. Today, this 2.3-hectare island is owned by Dutch couple Henk and Carolien, and is home to more than 80 varieties of heliconias, tropical flowers, plants and trees. The grounds are a refuge for 228 species of birds (humming birds are the sole pollinators of heliconias). There are also resident howler monkeys, river otters and a few friendly dogs that will greet you upon arrival.
Henk and Carolien will guide you thro…
reviewed
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Hacienda Pozo Azul Adventures
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El Caiman Bar & Restaurante
At the bridge over the Río Frío just outside the village is this pleasant riverside eatery run by Canoa Aventura, a tour operator based in La Fortuna. Sit among the bamboo groves and feast on fresh sea bass or tilapia while you watch the caimans drift idly by, or rent a canoe and paddle into their territory.
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