Bar y Restaurante La Tranka

Name: Bar y Restaurante La Tranka
Address: San Mateo (Route 131), Jacó & Herradura, CR

Food & Coffee · Jacó & Herradura · Lunch

Casual country bar-restaurant on Route 131 just outside San Mateo, known among locals for rice dishes and seafood soup.

Dishes to try

arroz con mariscos · sopa de mariscos

Río Machuca swimming holeSwimming spot · Free · hidden gemA clear, rocky pool on the Río Machuca just outside Orotina, where locals cool off in the shade of big trees.
Ruins of the old church of San Juan de Dios (San Mateo)Landmark · Free · hidden gemThe ruined walls of the old church of San Juan de Dios, out in the countryside north of San Mateo — a quiet stop on the back roads toward Esparza.
Parque Central de OrotinaPark · FreeOrotina's tree-shaded main plaza, with an old octagonal kiosk, monuments to the Cuban patriot José Martí and to the Indigenous king Garabito, and the town church on one side.
Parroquia Santo Domingo de Guzmán (Orotina)Landmark · FreeOrotina's parish church, finished in 1905 after construction began in 1893 on land donated by a local landowner.
Orotina fruit stands (fruterías of Coyolar, Route 27)Local shop · FreeA row of roadside fruterías on Route 27 at Coyolar de Orotina — a town famous for its fruit — where beach traffic pulls over for mangoes, watermelon, pineapple, coconuts and homemade cajetas (milk fudge), with quick food stands alongside.
Stone Bridge & river pool, Río Jesús María (San Mateo)Swimming spot · Free · hidden gemAn old stone bridge over the Jesús María River in the village of Jesús María de San Mateo, with steps down to the riverbank and a pool where locals cool off.