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Often homebuyers in Costa Rica forget to check on nearby amenities before they fall in love with a house.
Are nearby amenities important to you? Or is lots of sunshine for you enough when you move to Costa Rica?
Are you not sure where you’d like to live in the Central Valley? Allow us to assist with this information on nearby amenities.
You might think that the local population needs the same amenities as you do. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. They have different needs and expectations than you do. That’s because you probably live in a 1st world country and Costa Rica is a 2nd world country at best.
Our cities are not as well planned and organized as yours. Often the need for certain nearby amenities depends more on the lifestyle you expect to have once you have moved. Of course, if you have never lived in Costa Rica, you don’t know which nearby amenities you’ll find in each location.
Where?
For easier navigating, and the fact that some cities/towns are so close to each other, I am concentrating the areas we cover in four groups:
- Grecia – Sarchi – Naranjo
- Atenas – San Mateo
- Cariari – Belen – San Joaquin de Flores
- Escazu – Santa Ana – Ciudad Colon
General Amenities
There are a few amenities you might be interested in seeing where they are located before you decide on where to live in the Central Valley. Not every city has a golf course, a movie theater, or a private hospital. Hence the driving distance to each amenity:
Theater
There is only one theater in Costa Rica with plays in English, the Little Theater Group. Learn here how far the drive is from any location you plan to live in now.
Museums
Costa Rica is not really famous for its museums, but there are a few, click here now to learn how far from your future home this might be.
The Beach
Costa Rica has 763 miles of coastline. 631 Miles are on the Pacific side and 132 miles on the Caribbean side. But when living in the Central Valley doesn’t make the beach one of the nearby amenities. Depending on which beach you want to visit, the drive can be anywhere between 2 and 6 hours. We do have affiliates in many beach areas, so when the beach is what you’re looking for, visit our network.
Tours
When living in the Central Valley, you have the advantage of living in the center of that country. That’ll make any day tour accessible to you. There are visits to the volcanoes, Orosi, birdwatching, or do a coffee tour for those who are not too adventurous. For those looking for adrenaline, there are ziplines, bungee jumping, rafting, and many others, so you can feel like la mama de Tarzan.
Gamble
For those who like to gamble, there are quite a few good options in the Central Valley. Use Google maps to find where to gamble. Although brick-and-mortar gambling is more fun for some, others like to stay at home. If you are into slot machines, try pokiesonlinenz.co.nz so you won’t ever be bored again.
Golf
There are five golf courses in the Central Valley and one in Jaco, which allows golf fans to play at a reasonable distance from anywhere in the Central Valley:
Cariari Country Club
The Cariari Country Club, in Cariari – an 18-hole golf course, membership club. To drive to the Cariari golf course from the park of any of the cities of Grecia, Sarchi and Naranjo take more or less the same time – 50 minutes – depending on the time of the day. From Atenas, it’s 45 minutes and from Escazu, it’s 20 minutes. Check the driving time on Google maps now. Just fill out where you’d like to live and you’ll learn the driving time.
Parque Valle del Sol
Parque Valle del Sol Lifestyle Golf Community Santa Ana (american-european.net) – Parque Valle del Sol in Santa Ana is an 18-hole golf course, non-membership. The drive to the Parque Valle del Sol golf course from the park of any of the cities of Grecia, Sarchi, and Naranjo takes more or less the same time – 50 minutes – depending on the time of the day. From Atenas is 30 minutes, Cariari is 20 minutes and from Escazu, it’s also 20 minutes. Check the driving time on Google maps now. Just fill out where you’d like to live, and you’ll learn the driving time.
Club Hacienda Los Reyes
Club Hacienda los Reyes or Centro Campero Los Reyes in La Guacima de Alajuela is easy to reach if you take highway 27. This membership country club has a 9-hole golf course that converts into 18 holes by adding yardage. The club also offers tennis courts, swimming pools, a polo field, a gym, stables and horseback riding, picnic areas, and much more. Check the driving time on Google maps now. Just fill out where you’d like to live, and you’ll learn the driving time.
Costa Rica Country Club
The Costa Rica Country Club is a 9-hole membership course. The club also offers a pool, tennis courts, and a small bowling alley. Check your driving time on Google maps now.
Golf Monterán
The Monterán 9 Holes Par 3 is a membership course in Concepción de Tres Rios. The drive to the Parque Valle del Sol golf course from the park of any of the cities of Grecia, Sarchi, and Naranjo takes more or less the same time – 1 hour 20 minutes – depending on the time of the day. Cariari is 50 minutes, Atenas is 1 hour and Escazu is 40 minutes. Check the driving time on Google maps now. Just fill out where you’d like to live, and you’ll learn the driving time.
La Iguana, Jaco Beach
The 18-hole La Iguana golf course in Jaco is just outside the Central Valley which is why I’m including it. This is a non-membership with a 73.4-course rating, par-72, and slope 145. The drive to the Parque Valle del Sol golf course from the park of any of the cities of Grecia, Sarchi, and Naranjo takes more or less the same time – 1 hour 30 minutes – depending on the time of the day. Cariari is 1 hour 30 minutes, Atenas is 1 hour and from Escazu, it’s 1 hour 30 minutes. Check the driving time on Google maps now. Just fill out where you’d like to live, and you’ll learn the driving time.
What we Cover
Allow me to enumerate the nearby amenities in each area that we cover:
Grecia
The city of Grecia is the largest of the three cities that we cover with agents Brooke Bishop and Karina Ugalde. Therefore, if you live on the cooler ridges of Grecia, such as Cajon or San Miguel, it’s only a short drive to downtown Grecia. Any amenities that are not available, you’ll find for sure in the Province’s capital city of Alajuela, just 40 minutes away. It’s amazing how much sightseeing is possible here by just hopping on the bus. And while you’re checking out Grecia, ask your agent to show you around in Naranjo and Sarchi, as you’ll be close to all the following nearby amenities:
Hospitals
The public hospital San Francisco de Asis, check here.
There is no large private hospital in Grecia but there are quite a few smaller private clinics, check here. The closest private hospitals are the Hospital Metropolitano in Lindora and Hospital Clinica Biblica in Santa Ana, both 45 minutes away.
Ebais
Instead of going to the Caja hospital (if you’re CCSS insured), you should go to the Ebais neighborhood clinic first.
The farmer’s market
Feria del Agricultor is a beautiful, fully covered building with plenty of parking near Plaza El Ingenio mall.
Dentists
Grecia has a great number of dentists, but ask your agent for one who speaks English.
Church
Grecia has many churches of various religions, check them out here.
Fitness
From small to large and some very specialized, here are your options for fitness.
Tennis
There are several private tennis courts near Grecia.
Central Market
Grecia, unlike some other towns in the Central Valley, has a very nice Central Market – Mercado Municipal. There are some sodas – local eateries that serve a great breakfast or Casado for lunch – and local stores.
Shopping mall
Plaza el Ingenio is located on the road from Grecia to Sarchi, find the address on Google maps.
Movie Theater
Plaza el Ingenio has a movie theater.
Restaurants
Some areas have fine dining and others do not. Some like Italian food, others Argentinian, and some Tico cuisine. Check what restaurants are available in Grecia now.
Cariari
Ciudad Cariari, also called Cariari, is a master-planned community that is located only 15 minutes from International Airport Juan Santamaria. This beautiful community has its own country club with an 18-hole country club, tennis courts, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and much more.
Cariari offers the following nearby amenities:
Hospitals
The public hospital San Vicente de Paúl (15 minutes) and hospital San Rafael de Alajuela (20 minutes) are the nearest public hospitals when you live in Cariari. The closest private hospitals are the Hospital Metropolitano in Lindora and Hospital Clinica Biblica, both in Santa Ana both 20 minutes away.
Dentists
Ciudad Cariari, Belen, and San Joaquin have a great number of dentists, but ask your agent for one that speaks English.
Church
Cariari has many churches of the various religions, check them out here
Country Club
The Cariari Country Club is a membership club and offers all kinds of amenities.
Fitness
From small to large and some very specialized, here are your options for fitness.
Movie Theater – There are many movie theaters within a short drive from Cariari.
Bowling
Boliche Cariari is just across highway 1, with bowling for all ages.
Shopping malls
You’ll find nearby shopping in Belen, the Cariari shopping mall, and Oxigeno shopping mall Heredia and City mall Alajuela are also a short drive away.
The Farmer’s market
There is no real farmer’s market near Cariari. But you should visit Cenada, where you’ll find fresh fruits and vegetables as well as a fish market.
Restaurants
Some areas have fine dining and others do not. Some like Italian food, others Argentinian, and some Tico cuisine. Check what restaurants are available in Cariari now.
Atenas
Atenas is a small town that offers a very laid-back lifestyle. The town offers the most important amenities such as basic shopping, a fire department, and an ambulance service. For more amenities, you’ll have to go to Alajuela or Escazu. The shopping malls that are closest are City Mall in Alajuela and Multiplaza in Escazu.
Atenas offers the following nearby amenities:
Hospitals
The public hospital San Rafael de Alajuela (30 minutes) is the nearest public hospital when you live in Atenas. The closest private hospitals are the Hospital Metropolitano in Lindora, the Hospital Clinica Biblica both in Santa Ana, and the Hospital Cima in Escazu all only 30 minutes away.
Dentists
Atenas has a great number of dentists, but ask your agent for one that speaks English.
Church
Grecia has many churches of various religions, check them out here.
Market
Atenas, unlike some other towns in the Central Valley, has a very nice Central Market – Mercado Municipal. There are some sodas – local eateries that serve a great breakfast or Casado for lunch – and local stores.
The farmer’s market in Atenas is famous. They’re open twice a week and have their own location with plenty of parking.
Country Club
The closest country club is Hacienda Los Reyes. This club has a golf course, tennis courts, and a large swimming pool.
Fitness
From small to large and some very specialized, here are your options for fitness.
Movie Theater
You’ll find the closest movie theaters in Alajuela.
Bridge club
At Chicharronera Don Yayo in Atenas, expats get together on Tuesday’, to play bridge (all levels). Check the location on Google maps.
Shopping malls
There are no shopping malls in Atenas. The closest shopping malls are City mall Alajuela and Multiplaza Mall in Escazu.
Restaurants
Some areas have fine dining and others do not. Some like Italian food, others Argentinian, and some Tico cuisine. Check what’s available in Atenas now.
Escazu and Santa Ana
Escazu and Santa Ana started out as expat communities over 40 years ago. Nonetheless, these two older towns have grown into cities. Therefore, Escazu and Santa Ana are perfect if you like shopping, wining and dining and lots of traffic. If you’re looking for a more laid-back lifestyle, you’ll be better off checking out Grecia and Atenas. Nearby Ciudad Colon offers similar amenities.
Escazu and Santa Ana offer the following nearby amenities:
Hospitals
The public hospital San Juan de Dios (30 minutes) is the nearest public hospital when you live in Escazu or Santa Ana. The closest private hospitals are the Hospital Metropolitano in Lindora and the Hospital Clinica Biblica both in Santa Ana, and the Hospital Cima in Escazu.
Dentists
Escazu and Santa Ana have a great number of dentists, but ask your agent for one that speaks English.
Ebais
Instead of going to the Caja hospital (if you’re CCSS insured), you should go to the Ebais neighborhood clinic first.
Church
Both Escazu and Santa Ana have many churches of various religions, check them out here.
The farmer’s market
Feria del Agricultor has 3 different locations: downtown, San Antonio and Guachipelin. Santa Ana has it’s own.
Country Club
The Costa Rica Country Club in Escazu, as well as the Santa Ana Country Club, are membership clubs. The Costa Rica Country Club has a 9 hole golf course. Check the distance on Google maps now.
Fitness
From small to large and some very specialized, here are your options for fitness in Escazu and Santa Ana.
Movie Theater & Entertainment
You’ll find the closest movie theaters in Santa Ana and Escazu. For live music, check out Jazz Cafe Escazu.
Shopping malls
There are no shopping malls in Santa Ana. The closest shopping mall is Multiplaza in Escazu. But there are many large strip malls like Avenida Escazu and Distrito Cuatro.
Restaurants
Some areas have fine dining and others do not. Some like Italian food, others Argentinian, and some Tico cuisine. Check what restaurants are available in Escazu and Santa Ana now, scroll in for more options.
These nearby amenities don’t give you enough to do? If you’re bored stiff, here are plenty of other things to do. Are you looking for expert real estate agents in the Central Valley of Costa Rica? Then contact us now.
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