Places to Stay in Alajuela
Nov 17th, 2005, 05:36 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Places to Stay in Alajuela
Greetings,
I would like to stay in Alajuela for 2 nights upon arriving in Costa Rica. We arrive late and will be touring most of the next day but would like lodgings with or close to restaurants for between $60-$75 a night. What do those of you with past experience recommend? Many thanks.
I would like to stay in Alajuela for 2 nights upon arriving in Costa Rica. We arrive late and will be touring most of the next day but would like lodgings with or close to restaurants for between $60-$75 a night. What do those of you with past experience recommend? Many thanks.
Nov 17th, 2005, 09:14 AM
#2
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have you looked at Orchideas Inn? We stayed there 3 nights this year, good place, good food, fun bar, good conversation. Prices reasonable. Reviews seem to always be good.
http://www.orquideasinn.com/index.html
http://www.orquideasinn.com/index.html
Nov 17th, 2005, 11:40 AM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the quick response. Actually Orquideas Inn is at the top of the list. I am waiting for a response from them regarding how late they serve food and whether tours can be booked through them. Perhaps you have an answer as they haven't gotten back to me yet.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Nov 17th, 2005, 03:08 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Earthtraveler..i will definitely check out the options. And dfarmer...our plane arrives at 8:15 pm. Don't know how long it takes to get through customs and such as this is a first trip. Can hardly wait!!!
Nov 17th, 2005, 04:56 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi leeski,
You've gotten suggestions to excellent places in Alajuela. Las Orquideas is one of our favorite places, definitely in your price range (ours too). I think the kitchen is open pretty late. Sometimes even if we don't stay there, we go to the bar for drinks. It seems like the serving goes on rather late. We usually just order our food at the bar and haven't had a problem even if it is after 9:00 or so. There's nowhere else to eat in the area.
I thought you might like to have additional info about the hotels. Las Orquideas is the furthest from the airport (it will take you 20 min or so to get there) and it is not easy to find, particularly at night. Will you be doing the driving? That would be an issue.
It's location is good and bad. You have to drive through the town of Alajuela to get there--and that isn't easy. It would be a crash course to driving in the city in Costa Rica--an experience you should work yourself into gradually! Try to take a taxi and take care of your car rental needs the next morning. The good thing about the location is that you will be there a couple of nights, and it is located right on the edge of town with immediate access to the roads that lead to Grecia, Poas, etc. Convenient that way.
They have excellent breakfasts and decent meals in the restaurant. The bar/restaurant staff are always fun, and you'll meet fellow travelers there and be able to enjoy that gathering time in the evening or morning.
More recently we have started staying at Hotel Villa Bonita with Humberto and Carmen Brenes. They have redone an old Costa Rican home and made a lovely B&B for about $50 per night, delicious breakfast included. It is on the side of town closest to the airport and takes about 5 minutes to get to. They are a very nice young Tico couple who are excellent hosts and guides to help you plan your day/days should you need advice or suggestions. Free internet. A couple of the rooms are quite roomy and have bathtubs (a rarity!) and TV's (new addition).
The proximity to the airport is very nice (although we still will drive through town to visit the Marilyn Monroe Bar at Las Orq at night).
Both places have secure parking. Just down the street a couple of blocks from Hotel Villa Bonita is a Peruvian restaurant with excellent corvina (seabass) and ceviche. Definitely worth checking out. It was called Inti Raymi (not spelled correctly perhaps, but close).
Time at the airport depends largely on the number of flights arriving about the same time as yours. The lines into immigration can be very long. If there is a way you can avoid checking your luggage, that would be helpful. Expect it to take about an hour, perhaps a little longer. If you can get outta there in 45 min, I'd call that a lot of luck! Also, if you will take a small child with you, they will escort you to the front of the line!
You won't go wrong with either place. Both have their upsides. Both are nice places. Have a lovely vacation!
You've gotten suggestions to excellent places in Alajuela. Las Orquideas is one of our favorite places, definitely in your price range (ours too). I think the kitchen is open pretty late. Sometimes even if we don't stay there, we go to the bar for drinks. It seems like the serving goes on rather late. We usually just order our food at the bar and haven't had a problem even if it is after 9:00 or so. There's nowhere else to eat in the area.
I thought you might like to have additional info about the hotels. Las Orquideas is the furthest from the airport (it will take you 20 min or so to get there) and it is not easy to find, particularly at night. Will you be doing the driving? That would be an issue.
It's location is good and bad. You have to drive through the town of Alajuela to get there--and that isn't easy. It would be a crash course to driving in the city in Costa Rica--an experience you should work yourself into gradually! Try to take a taxi and take care of your car rental needs the next morning. The good thing about the location is that you will be there a couple of nights, and it is located right on the edge of town with immediate access to the roads that lead to Grecia, Poas, etc. Convenient that way.
They have excellent breakfasts and decent meals in the restaurant. The bar/restaurant staff are always fun, and you'll meet fellow travelers there and be able to enjoy that gathering time in the evening or morning.
More recently we have started staying at Hotel Villa Bonita with Humberto and Carmen Brenes. They have redone an old Costa Rican home and made a lovely B&B for about $50 per night, delicious breakfast included. It is on the side of town closest to the airport and takes about 5 minutes to get to. They are a very nice young Tico couple who are excellent hosts and guides to help you plan your day/days should you need advice or suggestions. Free internet. A couple of the rooms are quite roomy and have bathtubs (a rarity!) and TV's (new addition).
The proximity to the airport is very nice (although we still will drive through town to visit the Marilyn Monroe Bar at Las Orq at night).
Both places have secure parking. Just down the street a couple of blocks from Hotel Villa Bonita is a Peruvian restaurant with excellent corvina (seabass) and ceviche. Definitely worth checking out. It was called Inti Raymi (not spelled correctly perhaps, but close).
Time at the airport depends largely on the number of flights arriving about the same time as yours. The lines into immigration can be very long. If there is a way you can avoid checking your luggage, that would be helpful. Expect it to take about an hour, perhaps a little longer. If you can get outta there in 45 min, I'd call that a lot of luck! Also, if you will take a small child with you, they will escort you to the front of the line!
You won't go wrong with either place. Both have their upsides. Both are nice places. Have a lovely vacation!
Nov 17th, 2005, 06:58 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We stayed at the Hotel Buena Vista the night we arrived and again when we departed CR. It is reasonably priced, small and very nice. They provided a free shuttle to and from the airport for us and as I recall, breakfast was included. We didn't eat any other meals there-- there were several restaurants within walking distance which were tasty. Buena vista is about a 15 min drive from the airport on the mountainside with beautiful views of the city. surrounding coffee plantations and Poas volcano.
Nov 18th, 2005, 05:13 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow, so much thnaks for taking the time to pass on this information. All very helpful. Not sure what we will do just yet. It seems like there are many good options. Thank you. Can I ask yet another question? How long is the drive from Alajuela to St Elena? Thanks again.
Nov 18th, 2005, 05:42 AM
#11
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can't help you with the drive distance, seems we always do our traveling a different route than the most obvious and easy!!
But about arriving - I would go with the pick up that Orchideas offers which would be a driver from Wady Tours or hire a cab. It is going to be 9 or after before you get through the airport. And then if you are getting a rental, have it delivered or pickup the next day.
Do ask Orchideas about the kitchen closing time. I feel certain they can prepare you a cold dinner and have it waiting. Or if a driver picks you up, you could have them stop somewhere to get something to go.
But about arriving - I would go with the pick up that Orchideas offers which would be a driver from Wady Tours or hire a cab. It is going to be 9 or after before you get through the airport. And then if you are getting a rental, have it delivered or pickup the next day.
Do ask Orchideas about the kitchen closing time. I feel certain they can prepare you a cold dinner and have it waiting. Or if a driver picks you up, you could have them stop somewhere to get something to go.
Nov 18th, 2005, 09:16 AM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd allow 4 hours to St. Elena. Some say they have done it in 3, but that wasn't our experience. Maybe just less than 4, but still closer to 4. That allows time to stop for a snack and to enjoy a view or two as you travel the road up to Monteverde.
Nov 20th, 2005, 08:46 PM
#14
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We are at Ocquideas Inn two nights ago. The restaurant was open from 6-10, but I think you could get food even later from the bar. They have a tour desk there and have lots of choices. We only had one morning before our flight, but they helped us arrange to get our rental car picked up and then we got a driver to take us to the zoo in the morning and then the airport. I would definitely stay there again.
My other choice was Hotel Buena Vista, but they were booked up.
My other choice was Hotel Buena Vista, but they were booked up.
Nov 20th, 2005, 10:56 PM
#15
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We were very happy with Villa Bonita, a B&B. Extremely nice owners, very friendly and helpful. Quiet and pleasant. And about $50 a night, including a great breakfast. Also, just a very short ride to airport.
Nov 27th, 2005, 12:05 AM
#16
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd like to chime in too! Hotel villa Bonita, very close to SJO airport, simple, basic, clean rooms, clean bathrooms, nice breakfast, friendly Humberto and Carmen, about $47 for a double. Nice tiny garden.
Hotel Bougainvillea, although it's in Heredia, it's about the same distance by taxi from the SJO airport as the Orchideas Hotel is. We stayed at Hotel Bougainvillea and loved it, fantastic garden, rooms very nice about $80 for a double. Haven't stayed at the Orchideas yet.
Hope this helps!
since you're arriving in the evening I recommend you do what we did, take a taxi to hotel the first night, get your rental car in the morning. Tricolor will give you a free ride from your hotel to their car rental office in Alajuela.
Hotel Bougainvillea, although it's in Heredia, it's about the same distance by taxi from the SJO airport as the Orchideas Hotel is. We stayed at Hotel Bougainvillea and loved it, fantastic garden, rooms very nice about $80 for a double. Haven't stayed at the Orchideas yet.
Hope this helps!
since you're arriving in the evening I recommend you do what we did, take a taxi to hotel the first night, get your rental car in the morning. Tricolor will give you a free ride from your hotel to their car rental office in Alajuela.
Nov 27th, 2005, 12:07 AM
#17
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I should clarify my above post, we stayed in Hotel Villa Bonita upon arriving in Costa Rica, and stayed in the Hotel Bougainvillea on the night before we left to return home, just for the fun of trying out 2 different places! Hotel bougainvillea has a restaurant but I don't know what time it closes after dinner. Good food in their restaurant. Hotel Villa Bonita only serves breakfast.
