Parque Central de Atenas

Tip

Stop for fruit or coffee on the way to the Pacific or Orotina; the park is a 5-minute walk from the main road.

Be careful

Keep an eye on your belongings, as in any public park, and visit in daylight.

Places nearby

• The Retreat Costa RicaDay Passes & Hot Springs · takes 10 h · from $99Boutique wellness resort in the hills of Atenas, about 35 minutes from San José airport, with daily yoga, a spa and three restaurants.
• El Toledo Coffee Tour (organic coffee farm)Food & Coffee · from $30Small organic coffee farm in the hills above Atenas where a family walks you through the plantation, then roasts, brews and serves coffee and tropical fruit; coffee wine tasting is an add-on and farm lunches can be arranged.
• Botanical Orchid Garden La GaritaParks & Wildlife · from $6Small botanical garden near the airport with a self-guided path through the grounds, an orchid showroom with hundreds of blooms and koi ponds.
• Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center (formerly Zoo Ave)Parks & Wildlife14-hectare wildlife rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary near the airport with birds, cats, monkeys and reptiles that are treated and released when possible; visits help fund the rescue work.
• Fábrica de Carretas Eloy AlfaroTours & AdventureTraditional oxcart workshop and store in Sarchí where artisans hand-paint oxcarts and wooden pieces; visitors can watch the work, walk through the old factory and buy crafts.
• Las Delicias del MaízFood & CoffeeCorn-focused Costa Rican restaurant west of Alajuela with casados, beef-rib soup served with corn cakes, vegetarian choices and a refreshing pineapple-mint drink; an English menu is available.