From the surroundings of its capital, San José, to the Pacific coast, this corner of Central America welcomes tourists with kindness, good coffee and that calm that characterizes the Costa Rican, as indicated by the country’s slogan: Pure Life.
If you visit between May to November, you should pack a poncho because during those months it is the rainy season; September and October are the rainiest. The rest of the year, from December to April, comes the dry season. The country’s tropical climate does not contemplate summer or winter, only rainy and humid or dry days.
Upon arriving at Hacienda Belén, anchored in a coffee plantation of about five hectares, the guest is transported to another era. The walls of this hacienda-style hotel collect history. Although it opened its doors in 1996, due to the way its spaces are decorated and the style vintage From its cozy interior patio, it seems to have witnessed life in the capital’s high society from yesteryear.
On that property Marriottsurrounded by vegetation, with two beautiful outdoor pools from where you can hear the birds, strategies are drawn up to contribute to the conservation of the environment and contribute to society.
“Our sustainability strategy is based on the 17 sustainable development goals launched by the UN worldwide. And also in nourishing our world, which are all the actions we carry out, for hospitals, schools, different shelters and organizations. We also have the pillar of maintaining responsible operations. And we focus a lot on reducing the negative impacts that the hotel’s operation may generate,” explained Karol Hernández, sustainability manager.
“We also focus on reducing food waste. We have a food production goal and a system that monitors organic waste in kitchens, because part of our negative impact is that waste. So we aim to reduce that impact. We have a recycling program, in the rooms, at events, in the kitchen. We also have a way to measure our carbon footprint in real time,” added the executive, who has been working in that area for 10 years.
Located in the La Asunción area, the hotel is close to the airport, the Central Park of San José and the Museum of Costa Rican Art. Hacienda Belén has about 299 rooms distributed over five floors, with views of the enormous golf course that seems to blur before the imposing mountains that surround it.
Breathing nature
It is unmissable to see one of the seven active volcanoes in Costa Rica. If you decide to visit the Poás Volcano National Park, on the outskirts of San José, know that you should have about two hours to complete the tour. It takes just over an hour to get there from the capital and the visit takes half an hour. You should wear comfortable clothing and shoes. You should also dress warmly, because it is cold due to a microclimate in the volcanic area.
It is recommended to go in the morning to enjoy better visibility. About 340 thousand visitors a year come to see the volcano, considered among the most majestic in the region.
“We are in one of the seven active volcanoes that we have in Costa Rica. What we see here is a main crater with a very large diameter, among the largest in Central America. We are also going to see phreatic activity, which is what it is called when there is the emanation of gases, in this case, hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid. There may also be large columns of ash or an explosion of very high-temperature water with some rocks,” explained Alberto Astorga, historian and tour guide, about the volcano that towered behind, allowing itself to be admired.
In San Luis, Sabanilla, Alajuela, about 45 minutes from San José, near Poás, is Hacienda Alsacia, which has belonged to Starbucks since 2013. If you choose to visit it, you can enjoy your favorite coffee from the famous chain with a impressive view of the jungle and the breeze caressing your face. From one of the tables you can see a waterfall in the distance, embraced by exuberant nature, while copious rain falls.
Without a doubt, it is another walk that is worth it. Due to its proximity, you could visit the hacienda, which covers about 240 hectares, after having seen the volcano. During the 90-minute tour, details of the country’s coffee production are revealed, which is decreasing because there are fewer and fewer families working in the coffee plantations. In addition, the industry is focusing on the quality of the product, according to the guide. post.
After entering the world of coffee, from planting to how it reaches the breakfast tables, the tour ends with a delicious tasting.
Lunch time arrives and the right place could be Freddo Fresas, a typical restaurant where they serve delicious natural juices, especially strawberry juice. Gastronomy is part of the national identity and in Costa Rica one of the traditional dishes par excellence is casado, which consists of a mixture of various ingredients that stand out in Costa Rican cuisine: white rice, beans, salad, patacones and protein, since be it chicken, meat or fish.
To see one of the country’s exotic beaches, you have to travel about two hours from the capital to the Central Pacific coast. This is Playa Herradura, where one of the accommodation options is in Los Sueños, also from the luxurious hotel chain.
Extreme relaxation
Located on the Costa Verde, when you arrive at the resort you can breathe peace and tranquility. The view is lost between the blue of the horizon and the black sands of the beach that, although it does not invite you to immerse yourself in its waters, inspires calm, as if you had found an oasis of relaxation.
And Los Sueños Marriot Ocean & Golf Resort is the ideal destination for lovers of nature, relaxation and ecotourism. But also for fans of golf and adventure tourism.
With spacious rooms with sea views and interlocking pools, the hotel is ideal for spending a weekend with family or couples. Among the activities they offer are water sports, boat rides or sport fishing in the marina.
You can also take an ecological tour of the golf course and if you are patient you can stop to observe the sloth bear, known for its long rests in the branches of leafy trees.
Social work and environment
This hotel, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, has some 201 rooms, in addition to the vacation club facilities. And in keeping with the Marriott family philosophy, it is involved in the community where it operates.
“We help women show their artisan products. And it is a way to help families, because women contribute to the home economy. This initiative has been greatly appreciated by the groups that come to see our destination,” said María Florencia Arenaza, general manager of the property.
“It is a pride to lead this hotel, because it does so much for the guests and the community. We are very interested in generating a positive impact. I feel very happy here. I have been working with Marriott for 19 years and almost six here in Los Sueños. Costa Rica is a country with a special energy, it is pure life, as Costa Ricans say. “It has been a very nice experience professionally and personally,” added the Argentine who has three decades in the Hospitality industry under her belt.
In order to contribute to environmental conservation, the hotel has also partnered with Mareblu, a non-profit organization dedicated to recycling plastics to help clean up the oceans. And through this organization, a group of young volunteers from different parts of the world comes to Playa Herradura with the mission of keeping it clean.
Fun and adventure
Those who stay in this paradisiacal place and after resting want a little adrenaline, should visit the Vista Los Sueños adventure park, where they can slide down a zip line circuit, ride horses or on MTV, or kayak and appreciate the waterfalls.
Before finishing your visit to the park, learn about the cocoa route, where you can witness the making of chocolate, from feeling its seed and tasting the fruit, to watching it roast over low heat, grind and melt, and then savor it on top of strawberries and slices. of banana or drink it with marshmallows.
