Escazù Travel Guide

The restaurante Giacomin has broadband wi-fi internet, pastries, chocolates, and lunch fare. GPS coordinates: 9.92193,-84.133666, on Calle el Llano in Bello Horizonte de Escazú. 2228-3381

The Bagelman's chain of restaurants also has wi-fi. There's one in Rolex Plaza, on the main road in San Rafael de Escazú, opposite the TGIF restaurant.

Buena Tierra restaurant has wi-fi and organic food. Located 100 meters south of the main Escazú church, on the southwest corner. 2288-3407 GPS coordinates: 9.918549,-84.140972

Il Panino Restaurante has full lunch and dinner, and wi-fi. In the Multicentro Paco, at the turnoff to the road to Guachipelin.

These GPS coordinates are formatted for use with Google maps or Google Earth. The Garmin GPS will take them also, if you go into options and change the coordinates format.

1 more image

Gerardo Montoya’s Taller de Mascaras, on the road up to Pico Blanco, is the epitome of old Escazú. He follows the tradition of his grandfather, making the giant folkloric ‘payaso’ masks for local parades. If you let him know that you are coming, he may put on traditional music. For larger groups he can arrange to have dancers animate the giant costumes. He sometimes serves a delicious old time drink called chicha, and let you try on the costumes, or try your hand at making a mask. Best to call first.

3 more images

A hike up Pico Blanco mountain toward the big cross, for a great view of San José. The beginning of the trail is fairly flat and has some nice views. If you want to go all the way up to the cross, it will take you about three hours. Between May and November, go in the morning to avoid the afternoon rains. Take sunblock and a camera. This can be a nice place to fly a kite between December and April, the windy season. You can also go with a tour company - Warner Rojas of Pico Tours takes groups.

This hike is goes by a few coffee fields and pastures, and is surprisingly rural for something so close to San José. A pleasant cool highland alternative to hiking in the lowland jungle.

2 more images

In 2008 a number of artists have moved into the historic adobe houses by the main Escazú church. You can visit several different artists, have lunch at a nearby cafe, use the internet, visit the old houses, and see the church and main park in Escazú at the same time. Gerardo Arick draws portraits of rocks stars that are full of life; he is in the historic Chaves house right by the church, 2228-0149. Claudio Botero sells colorful and fantastic posters, books, postcards and paintings from her studio in the old Tapezco building, in front of Chavez house. http://www.claudiobotero.com 8301-6715. The Buena Tierra cafeteria has organic vegetarian food and wi-fi internet, and is located 100 south of the main Escazú church. 2288-0342. Rebecca Fernandez makes mosaics; she is next to the Buena Tierra café.

Wonderful handmade chocolates. Many different kinds - made without preservatives. You'll have to keep these in the fridge.

3 more images

The celebrations for the National Day of the Ox Cart Driver (Día Nacional del Boyero) is held annually on the second Sunday of March.

For the locals, festivities begin at the early hour of 5 am with Alegre Diana (Happy Diana) running around the village streets summoning everyone out of bed.
The procession of old and traditionally painted carts being pulled by oxen starts at 9.30 am from the center of the town, in front of town hall (Municipalidad de Escazú) . The carts wind their way up the steep hill to the San Antonio church (Iglesia de San Antonio). When finally they all get up to the large area around the church, the ox cart drivers are blessed and awarded prizes for the most attractive cart and most diligent ox.
There are many food and drink stands erected around the church, local music is played, the whole town is here, having fun.

This is a nice place to meet for a light lunch. It's on a quiet side street with plenty of parking, and a green area. It's sunny and clean. You can sit inside near the dessert area or outside on a very pleasant covered patio. The broadband wi-fi is free and very fast and you can surf happily for hours. They are a dessert bakery, but I usually go to get a hot sandwich. They have many kinds of chocolate, marzipan, cakes, tarts and quiches, all much much better than the average bakery here. Service is fast and friendly. Sandwiches are all less than $8, and very good; salads average $6.50. Dessert prices vary widely.

Favorite Dish: I like the salmon and caper panino sandwiches.