Costa Rica - Boots on the Ground (6)

Day Five: Escazu, Santa Ana

3 July 2025, San Jose, Costa Rica

We continue our journey exploring the Central Valley exploring some of the local neighborhoods surrounding San Jose. These areas have the most expats and services that cater to them. To get a feel of where you would buy things we visited a central market, a farmers market and a Walmart.

Photo by Craig Ogawa

Today we saw hospitals and parks. We visited the municipalities of Sabana Norte, Rhormoser, Escazu, Santa Ana and Heredia. In Escazu we visited a gated community developed by a German company. In Santa Ana we visited our tour guides house. It was located in an upper middle class Tico neighborhood.

Exotic fruit, Photo by Craig Ogawa

To round out the day we had a quick Spanish lesson and at the same time got to taste some of the exotic fruits of Costa Rica. We ended the day with a late lunch of chicken cooked over coffee branches.

Entrance to China Town. Photo by Craig Ogawa.

Today’s Tidbit

If you’re looking to rent living quarters in Costa Rica be sure to ask what is included in the rent. Depending upon the location the rent may include water but none will include electricity. Be sure to check whether the unit you’re renting is on a separate meter and how your usage/bill will be calculated. Take a picture of the meter reading when you take possession and at the end of your stay.

If renting a furnished unit ask whether the appliances are included. Most do not and the ones that do may not be to your liking. You may want to buy your appliances and move them from place to place.