Escazu is one of the most affluent neighborhoods near the country’s capital with a large ex-pat community of Americans, Canadians and Europeans, it has a high concentration of residents in the mid- to upper-range incomes and boasts amenities like upscale shopping, restaurants and condominiums.

 

 

Whereas Escazu is best used as a base for day trips to sights, there are activities open to visitors in the little town too. The Butterfly Kingdom’s mission is to teach its visitors to live in harmony with nature by educating them on the life cycle of butterflies for a taste of Costa Rica’s amazing biodiversity. To practice your golf swing nearby Parque Valle Sol in Santa Ana has a full 18-hole golf course designed and landscaped by architect Tracy May which is flanked panoramic views of the surrounding natural beauty.

Avenida Escazu is an outdoor shopping center that features a range of international brands from PK Chang to Lego and Barbie to Max Mara flagship stores. There are outdoor and indoor playgrounds, a food court and cinema onsite. Multiplaza is an alternate shopping mall with several floors of international and national brand stores, cinema and large food court. Reasonably priced spa treatments are readily available to completely relax and unwind on vacation at the larger hotels or boutique establishments.

The Saturday farmers’ market is a must for local households but is also an opportunity to try seasonal tropical fruit and freshly prepared home products from farmers and traders who meet weekly. The most famous Escazu tradition takes place on the second Sunday of March, which is the annual oxcart blessings in San Antonio district. The colorfully painted wooden carts are pulled by oxen past the church as they did when this was the primary means of transportation across the country.

Traffic affects the journey time to and from San Jose’s international airport to Escazu, but it is usually under thirty minutes.