Guidebook for San Rafael
Food Scene
Affordable and consistent Latin American cuisine. Their specialty is rotisserie chicken but their menu is extensive and they have lunch specials as well. It's right in the entrance of the neighborhood and they deliver in case you feel like staying in.
If you have a sweet tooth you might want to try their dessert pantry.
6 locals recommend
Rostipollos
Affordable and consistent Latin American cuisine. Their specialty is rotisserie chicken but their menu is extensive and they have lunch specials as well. It's right in the entrance of the neighborhood and they deliver in case you feel like staying in.
If you have a sweet tooth you might want to try their dessert pantry.
If you feel like Chinese or Asian food. It's very close to the house as are all of the other restaurants in Avenida Escazú.
12 locals recommend
P.F. Chang’s
If you feel like Chinese or Asian food. It's very close to the house as are all of the other restaurants in Avenida Escazú.
Saga is a gorgeous restaurant with excellent food and service. If you go try the Catalana Chicken, I am sure it won't disappoint you. They also prepare carefully crafted desserts and have recently jumped on the popsicle trend and offer a delicious variety of flavors.
Saga Restaurant
Saga is a gorgeous restaurant with excellent food and service. If you go try the Catalana Chicken, I am sure it won't disappoint you. They also prepare carefully crafted desserts and have recently jumped on the popsicle trend and offer a delicious variety of flavors.
Amazing Italian food and beautiful decor. Their fresh pasta is to die for...
7 locals recommend
Terrazza Toscana
Avenida 2Amazing Italian food and beautiful decor. Their fresh pasta is to die for...
Búlali is a restaurant, bakery and coffee shop in one. They have amazing breakfasts and brunches so if you're into eggs Benedict this is the place to go. They have both indoor and outdoor sitting, making it perfect for both sunny or rainy days.
22 locals recommend
Búlali, Café y Repostería Artesanal
Búlali is a restaurant, bakery and coffee shop in one. They have amazing breakfasts and brunches so if you're into eggs Benedict this is the place to go. They have both indoor and outdoor sitting, making it perfect for both sunny or rainy days.
Fresh conscious seafood restaurant. Their Caribbean Ceviche is served with fresh fried plantains or patacones, one of the best icons of Latino food.
Product-C
Avenida EscazúFresh conscious seafood restaurant. Their Caribbean Ceviche is served with fresh fried plantains or patacones, one of the best icons of Latino food.
Plaza Tempo houses everything from office space to a university but there are several restaurants there you might wanna visit. Antojitos does Mexican food, Pops is a Costa Rican chain ice cream parlor, Ají Limón is a Peruvian restaurant and then there's a place that serves hot wings.
35 locals recommend
Plaza Tempo
Calle Marginal SurPlaza Tempo houses everything from office space to a university but there are several restaurants there you might wanna visit. Antojitos does Mexican food, Pops is a Costa Rican chain ice cream parlor, Ají Limón is a Peruvian restaurant and then there's a place that serves hot wings.
Mandala
Vegetarian and vegan restaurant.
Raw Co Juicery & Food
Raw food and veggie options.
Restaurante Pasión Pasta Fresca
Ruta Nacional Secundaria 105Fresh made pasta.
Drinks & Nightlife
Santos is one of the trendy spots for a night out close to the house. The crowd is fashionable and 30+.
12 locals recommend
Santos
Santos is one of the trendy spots for a night out close to the house. The crowd is fashionable and 30+.
Think of it as the Costa Rican version of House of Blues. They have different shows almost every night and you can check their program out on their website: http://www.jazzcafecostarica.com/website/?page_id=2033
29 locals recommend
Jazz Café Escazú
Think of it as the Costa Rican version of House of Blues. They have different shows almost every night and you can check their program out on their website: http://www.jazzcafecostarica.com/website/?page_id=2033
Más Tkila
27They have live music on the weekends and it draws a big crowd.
Entertainment & Activities
Nova Cinemas
Avenida 30Essentials
Walmart
Fresh Market
Boulevard de RohrmoserPeri Anonos
167 Carr. Vieja a EscazúBudget friendly grocery store.
Fully stock grocery store. They have lots of local and imported products.
152 locals recommend
Auto Mercado
126Fully stock grocery store. They have lots of local and imported products.
Getting Around
Dollar Rent-A-Car
38 STParks & Nature
Itskazu Park
Cute little neighborhood park.
La Sabana is an urban national park. There are trails, plenty of green areas for playing or hanging out and basketball courts, soccer fields and baseball fields. There are public aerobics and zumba classes offered Saturday and Sunday mornings.
194 locals recommend
Parque La Sabana
Avenida de Las AméricasLa Sabana is an urban national park. There are trails, plenty of green areas for playing or hanging out and basketball courts, soccer fields and baseball fields. There are public aerobics and zumba classes offered Saturday and Sunday mornings.
This place houses the most breathtaking views as you get to enjoy the Cloud Forest, the trails, canopy and butterfly gardens.
101 locals recommend
Monteverde
This place houses the most breathtaking views as you get to enjoy the Cloud Forest, the trails, canopy and butterfly gardens.
The Poas Volcano sits in Alajuela. Its crater is just a short walk from the entrance (15min) and there is also the possibility to hike up to a lagoon (30min). Lots of bird watchers like this site. Highly recommended, try to go during the week to avoid crowds.
401 locals recommend
Poás Volcano
The Poas Volcano sits in Alajuela. Its crater is just a short walk from the entrance (15min) and there is also the possibility to hike up to a lagoon (30min). Lots of bird watchers like this site. Highly recommended, try to go during the week to avoid crowds.
Shopping
There's an organic market in the ground floor, a café in the second floor and stores and an artisan pizzeria in the third floor. Recently a bookstore/record store opened there.
Combai Urban Market
27 Autop. Próspero FernándezThere's an organic market in the ground floor, a café in the second floor and stores and an artisan pizzeria in the third floor. Recently a bookstore/record store opened there.
Variety. It's one of the largest shopping malls in the country.
136 locals recommend
Viajes Colón Multiplaza Escazu
Autopista Próspero FernándezVariety. It's one of the largest shopping malls in the country.
Trendy street with various shops. Everything from toys to fashion.
114 locals recommend
Avenida Escazu
102 Avenida 2Trendy street with various shops. Everything from toys to fashion.