Hotel Bougainvillea

Residential area situated Hotel

by Cuepid about Hotel Bougainvillea

Family Owned and Operated, The Hotel Bougainvillea is an excellent choice if you are looking for a reasonably priced hotel in a quiet residential neighborhood not far from downtown.

The views across the valley from this hillside location are wonderful, and the gardens are beautifully designed and well tended.

Just 15 minutes from San Jose, set amidst the coffee farms of Santo Domingo de Heredia.

There is free Shuttle from the Hotel to San Jose every 1/2 hour

Botanical Garden is worth waking up to

by mcsmiles77 about Hotel Bougainvillea

I chose this recommended hotel from Frommers because I did not want to stay in San Jose. This hotel is on the outskirts of the major city and near Heredia. Getting there was difficult at night because there were a lot of little roads, but I loved staying there. The price was roughly $125/night with a balcony overlooking the gardens and the rooms were very clean. The Botanical Garden is extensive with many opportunities for bird-watching.
Shuttle service offered for downtown San Jose.
Free wireless internet.

Pura Vida: 5 days behind the lens in Costa Rica

by moonfroggy4

"San Jose & Central Valley"

We arrive in San Jose for a 5-day nature photography trip. It is late evening and so the drive from San Jose's airport to Hotel Bougainvillea is a maze of turns. We pass by industrial sections: machinery and dismantled cars make strange silhouettes just beyond the streetlights. We meander through blocks of neatly fenced houses and reach the hotel around 10 pm.

But come morning we can have little doubt: the raucous calls of birds start around 4 am... see pictures at: San Jose & Central Valley

"San Gerardo & Cloud Forest"

Images and impressions coming soon...

San Jose & Central Valley

"Tarcoles & Pacific Coast"

Images and impressions coming soon...

San Jose & Central Valley

Costa Rica in 7 Days

by yanaiguana

"The Itinerary"

In 7 days, we were able to see both mountains and beaches.

Arrive in San Jose ---> Rent 4WD from Alamo ----> Drive 20 minutes to Hotel Bougainvillea to avoid San Jose. It's a beautiful hotel overlooking many acres of tropical gardens. Great food, lots of art inside, huge rooms.

Day 2 Drive to Monteverde. Crazy roads. Arrive at El Sol. The owners are super nice. The cabin has majestic views of mountains, there is outdoor pool, and you get total peace and seclusion and kitchen. Local family prepares food for you and brings it over with vino. Drawback, lots of insects. Bring slippers for inside so u dont step on them like i did. Ouchie!!!

On way to Monteverde, stop in Palmeres. Totally untouristy town with lots of shops and locals, schools to get a sense of life. Bring toilet paper!!! Even their schools dont come with toilet paper. Ouch.

Day 3. Wake up early, grab quick bite in Saint Elena and take Aventure bridges then zip line tours. Its scary as ***, but you will enjoy it. Evening, spend in Saint Elena, visit tree house restaurant, supermarket etc.

Day 4. Drive to Ferry in Paquiros I think go all the way to end of island to get ferry. It leaves every 2 hours. You can go on it with car.

Drive to Montezuma beach for a night. Mango Hotel cabins has a lovely pool. Eat in De Artistes restaurant before sunset, its right on the beach. This town is major hippie zone and doesnt have that much to do really unless you are a hippie. Organic cafe is very nice and they have a indoor lounge thats...AIR CONDITIONED!!!. :)

DAY 5. Drive to Santa Teresa. Huge Huge town, can spend a week here easily. Awesome beaches, restaurants etc. We stayed in hotel azul which is on a huge property with iguanas, private beach access, tropical trees and pool. Great price. Across is belgian bakery shop, must visit. On way to Santa Teresa consider going to Capo Blanco park at tip of island. 1 hour walk takes you across the rainforest and you may be lucky to see some animals.

Day 6. Stay on beach and enjoy

Day 7. Drop of Alamo in town. Be careful because these guys are never in the office and u can be screwed. Make sure they are in the office so u dont miss ur flight.

Get car service to Tambor and fly sensai? small plane 45 mins to San Jose. Can stay in hilton in San Jose if you want. Eat at Denny's if you are a typical american.

The end.

Hope u enjoyed the itinerary. I did a lot of research and very little info was available to piece the above, but we made it.