There is a world of difference between Grano de Oro vs. Finca Rosa Blanca, Vista dell Valle, or Xandari. The latter 3 are in the countryside; Grano is in town. None is that far from the airport to present a problem.
Carol L

Each year we have gone through this, trying to pick the perfect spot to spend our final night.

Last year we did spend 2 nights at the beginning of our trip in SJ at the Hotel Brittania. However, after finally staying in SJ, I don't particularly want to do it again.

I much prefer staying in the countryside and looking out over forests, coffee fields, hills & valleys and even the city lights in the distance. But looking out at other buildings, I learned was not my cup of tea.

Granted I have never been to Grano de Oro, so certainly have not comment.

Another thing to consider is that staying in town is not necessarily the quickest way to SJO.

HI all,

Thanks so much for all the postings... in the end I have sent a reservation form to Pura Vida Hotel in Alajuela for our last night and hope that they have space!

Our last task in planning this trip is to find a place for our FIRST night. Originally we were going to stay in Alajuela but we need to take a 10 am ferry from Puntarenas the next day and don't want to be too far away. Ideally we would be about an hour or less from the ferry.

The Fiesta has been recommended, but I don't think it's for us - too pricey and big.

I was thinking of staying in San Ramon (in Alajuela Province, on the road to Puntarenas) - has anyone been there or can recommend an inexpensive (<100US) hotel or b&b? I have dug through this site and others and haven't come up with anything in that price range. Online we found the Ecco Colonia, but so far I haven't found anyone else who's stayed there...

Does anyone know of a similar chat site for budget travelers? I was using costaricapages.com but it is not as active as Fodors... I have found so much good info on this site and send BIG THANKS out to all of you who take the time to write in! It is a great resource.
-Amy

what made you choose pura vida?

AmyNYC, congratulations on making a decision...could you decide for me too?! I am wracking my brains picking a hotel for the start and end of our family trip, and I'm enjoying it too. Maybe the trouble is the criteria I am using to choose the hotel are so opposing...a hotel that is nice and quiet...and a hotel that is near the fun places downtown like El Pueblo...and a hotel with lovely nature and peace like Peace Lodge for example...and a hotel where families and young people can be found, not just couples...oops, can't get all that in one hotel!

I am thinking today I will just pick the one that sounds like the most fun for the whole family...

Have fun at the Pura Vida.

Faced with the same situation last March, we opted to drive about 1.5 hour south of the airport when we arrived and stayed at La Finca Que Ama with Neta and Arbel. It's a lovely hotel overlooking a beautiful and panoramic canyon. Lots (including jacuzzi tub, pool, DVD/TV in the room) of amenities and great food. The drive to Puntarenas the next morning was about an hour. Perhaps a few minutes more. Neta even sent us off with a couple of sandwiches to eat while on the ferry.

La Finca is not located in an area that tourists plan to pass through, yet it is such a nice surprise down there, first night in the country on the way to MA or Puntarenas is the perfect time to stay there.

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San Ramon area does not have much to offer in the way of accomodation. That's not to say there is nothing there--just nothing distinctive or special to experience as can be found at La Finca.

Another advantage to driving down to La Finca is passing through Santa Ana where there is a wonderful new supermarket, past the Forum, a very impressive group of offices (I suppose), Cuidad Colon and nearby Peace University, Puriscal. The road is in excellent condition (or was in October). Definitely worth thinking about!

I believe the website is www.costaricafinca.com

If you'd like another option to think about, El Cafetal is a very nice B & B near Atenas, actually the little pueblo of Sta. Eulalia. It is on a cafe plantation and about 30 minutes from the airport. We stayed there one night when we were to pick our daughters up at the airport the next day. Stayed there just to try out a different place. Very nice grounds--didn't disappoint. Do you have a map yet? Check out the routes--at least there are some possibilities that might be interesting to you.

We stayed at the White House in Escazu and loved it.