MUST-DO’S WHEN VISITING COSTA RICA

1) Enjoy a mug of the best coffee in the world!
Recently, even Pope Francisco remarked about the excellent coffee in Costa Rica. And if it’s good enough for the pope, then it’s good enough for me! The cultivation of the “Grano de Oro” (the name the locals use for coffee, meaning “Grain of Gold”), has been perfected over centuries with meticulous dedication throughout the entire process from the selection of the beans all the way to how it is served to you at your table. Like tea in England or beer in Germany, our coffee is a part of our identity. It is an integral part of our culture, present in almost every facet of Costa Rican life.

2) Visit at least one of our many National Parks.
Costa Rica has over 60 national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biological reserves spread over 12 different ecological zones. One of the most visited parks is Arenal Volcano National Park, where you will enjoy a spectacular view of this active volcano and a dip in its thermal waters. Currently Costa Rica protects 32 national parks, 51 wildlife sanctuaries, 13 forest reserves and 8 biological reserves. We are without doubt one of the most biodiverse countries in the world!

3) Try a “Churchil”!
The “Churchil”, or “granizado”, is a national dessert comprised mainly of ice, syrup and sweetened condensed milk. Nothing is more refreshing on a hot Costa Rican afternoon! And why do we call it a “Churchil?!” Its origin dates back to the 1940’s, when in the middle of one of our many hot weather cities a trader used to daily ask for this unique blend of ingredients from one of the local street vendors. Soon, the merchants of the area, seeing the resemblance that this trader had with the emblematic British politician, Winston Churchill, decided to name this peculiar dessert the “Churchil”!

4) Look out the window of the plane as soon as you begin flying over Costa Rica.
The lush green color of the landscape will captivate you. No matter where you look, you will know you are arriving in one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. You won’t see any large skyscrapers or freeways. Amidst the extensive vegetation you may see a few small roads, houses scattered here and there, fields with grazing cattle, or perhaps a coffee plantation. You might even see one of over 100 of our volcanoes! And if you’re lucky, and are flying over just the right spot, you can see two of our most active volcanoes at the same time! This is just the beginning of what you will enjoy here in paradise!

5) Stay and eat at Hotel y Restaurante Grano de Oro.
Each of our 39 rooms will offer you the comfort and tranquility you are looking for. Though we are located near the center of the city, you would never know it due to the environment we’ve created both inside and outside our tropical Victorian style hotel. And our Restaurant? Mediterranean French cuisine with tropical influence. Our experienced French chef, Francis Canal, has been in charge of our Restaurant for more than 20 years and guarantees the enjoyment of every dish he serves.