Things To Do
First, Some Basic Info
Ongoing Activities (such as meetings and classes);
Places to Go
Social Interest Requests
Shopping
Some Basic Info
Bus schedules are usually different on holidays and are posted on the bus or at the station.
We enjoy 2 bus stations in Grecia these days, the 'old' bus station at the Central Mercado, and the 'new' bus station, which is located 2 blocks north of Banco Nacional, across from the metal church. The new bus station has service to San Jose, Alajuela and Naranjo with stops in Sarchi, while the old bus station services the local Grecia area.
Here is a handy bus schedule you can download and print: Grecia area Bus Information
Sarchi currently has no bus stations, but virtually all buses stop in front of the soccer field downtown (at or across from the Banco Nacional branch) and/or on one of the corners on the main drag (near Banco Costa Rica or on the corner near the shoe store) adjacent to Sarchi's central park with the colorful, giant Carreta (ox cart).
Red Taxis (Grecia) - The main paradas or stops for red taxis are at the northwest corner of the central Grecia park; the west exit of the new San Jose/Alajuela bus station; the south side of the old bus station (MusManni). Their central dispatch numbers are 2494-0202 or 2494-0220 for Grecia.
Red Taxis (Sarchi) - The main stop for red taxis is along the northwest street adjacent to Sarchi's central park across the one-way street from pizza kitchen. Their central dispatch number is: 2454-4028.
"Pirate" Cabs - While we aren't recommending the independent taxis in Costa Rica, they are everywhere and many folks use them. There are no longer regular 'taxi stands' due to disputes with the companies and the government over tax responsibilities, however there are still a few locations around Grecia where you will find them, including the street outside of PeriMercado heading north (towards Sarchi), and on the same street only 2 blocks south (1/2 block south of the Central Market). Note: they don't use meters (or "Marias" as they are called here) but they do have a set price list and are often, but not always, less expensive than red taxis.
Where is it? It's nice to have an idea of where you are in Grecia - here is a link to a nice map that, while a little out of date in terms of businesses, still is mostly accurate and shows the layout of town: http://www.acce.co.cr/maps.html
Local Emergency Numbers for Grecia and Sarchi: The Fuerza Publica in Grecia hands out a handy brochure once a year during Navidad season. If you didn't get yours, here's a .pdf version for your refrigerator door.
Daily Weather Forecast - Generally speaking for Costa Rica, each day in the summer it's dry, and in the green season it rains for some part of every day. However, you are apt to want a more specific prediction from time to time. Go to http://www.imn.ac.cr/IMN/MainAdmin.aspx?__EVENTTARGET=PronosticoTiempo for a daily weather forecast covering major cities and areas of Costa Rica. A bonus: this site will give you the opportunity to practice your "pronóstico del tiempo" en español.
Holidays: Here is a list of the Observed and National Costa Rican Public Holidays celebrated in the land of pura vida. Holidays often mean closed businesses, crowded beaches, parades through the streets and just a great excuse to take the day off. This is a link to holiday information for 2020.
Annual Events: We recently found this great link to a monthly listing of major annual activities and events (no exact dates but very useful info nonetheless) throughout the country: http://costarica.angloinfo.com/information/
lifestyle/entertainment/festivals-events/
Another great resource for public holiday info is http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/costa-rica/
[on this site you can change the types of holidays, year or country].
Note:
- Government offices close for the Christmas holidays, usually for 2 weeks.
- Schools are closed from the middle of December until the end of January.
- The same offices are closed for Semana Santa, the week before Easter Sunday.
- Depending on where you are, alcohol may or may not be available for purchase from midnight on Ash Wednesday until midnight on Good Friday.
- Most cantons do not allow the sale of alcohol on the weekend of national elections. Some districts are dry on Independence Day, September 15.
Ongoing Activities
- Centro de la Cultura de Grecia.Located directly behind the municipality. They have ongoing events for the community, which in the past have included bilingual preschool art camp, library (with English-language section), a cello concert, yoga, zumba, a Christmas bazaar, outdoor movie screenings, photography classes, and much much more. Everything is free or very very cheap. They are always looking for instructors for more classes (sewing, quilting, painting, dance, whatever you can do). https://www.facebook.com/Centro.Cultura.Grecia
Blooms is short for “Bloom Where You’re Planted”. The group began originally in the 1990's with many chapters throughout the Central Valley. Now, there is just one chapter and while we normally enjoy rotating our meetings to various members' homes, at this time we are meeting at 9:30 a.m. on the last Tuesday of each month (except December) via Zoom. There is no president nor dues.
Most members live in the general areas of Atenas, Alajuela, Grecia, Sarchi, and La Garita. We normally meet over coffee and brunch to share friendship, information, networking and support. English is a requirement, even if you are just a beginner, and we enjoy the company of women from many nations. For further information, please contact Joan Dewar at dewar@casadewar.com.
- There is a Buddhist book club that meets in Atenas every Sunday at 1:30pm It is non religious and non sectarian and has excellent free wheeling discussions. Those interested should contact Adrian Baksa at adriennebaksa@me.com
- Grecia AlAnon - 2444-1515. English-language meeting. Call for schedule.
- Grecia AA - There is a solution: English Speaking Meetings on Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays, noon-1 pm. The AA clubhouse is located around the corner of the fire station. For more information call or e-mail
Donna: Phone: 8403-2705 E-mail: donnagurschke@gmail.com
Jay: Phone: 6102-3039 E-mail: deyjoy@aol.com
-
ATENAS MINDFULNESS MEDITATION GROUP, Path of Joy Sangha, based in Atenas, and led by Barbara (Barb) Moss, Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, invites you to attend virtual sessions on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. We are a secular, drop-in meditation group, based on the Vipassana or Insight tradition of Buddhism. Our practice consists of meditation, teaching talks (Tuesdays only), and sharing. Please visit the Path of Joy Sangha Facebook Page or email barbsmss@gmail.com for details, and the link to the Zoom meeting room. Barb Moss, 8358-7273
Updated 4/12/2020 - Recycling takes place in Grecia in front of the stadium on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month.
They accept all types of plastic containers, metal containers, glass containers, Tetrapak boxes (e.g., juice, milk, wine containers), cardboard, paper (newspapers, magazines, office paper, etc).
It's a fantastic service to the community and deserves our support. Items accepted - Small electronics recycling - The Claro store in the Grecia Mall has a container next to their caja where you can leave old phones, old phone chargers, earphones, even TV remotes, for recycling. You can also do this at the ICE office in Grecia.
- Writer's Group - Escazu - There are many aspiring Hemingways and Shakespeares in Costa Rica and various writer’s groups they can join. There is a good one that meets in Escazu on the third Thursday of each month, (Not December).
Members include editors, those knowledgeable about places to get high quality printing and of course various types of writers. Writers from Grecia, Atenas and other areas attend. For more information contact Bob Brashers at bbrashears0@gmail.com
- Yoga Classes - Click here for info
- Catholic Gringos who are interested in Catholic Services in English in Atenas are invited to contact Dave Davis, he is compiling an email list. His group has Church approval to do a communion service with prayers and Eucharistic Service in English as well as a Mass with a translator etc. You can reach Dave at 8759 3433 or davenansi@gmail.com
Is there a regular ongoing event or public holiday that we missed? Let us know!
Submit information to: editor@quepasagrecia.com
Places to Go
Off the Beaten Path - Travels with Joan & Iain
by Joan Ritchie Dewar
We’ve been here 14+ years and loved all of our travels throughout Costa Rica, often to places a little out of the way from normal tourist traffic. Here are a few ideas for the next time you are touring with visitors or simply want to learn about your newly adopted home.
Pre-Columbian and Indigenous Costa Rica
Guayabo National Monument Park, An Ancient Pre-Columbian dig near Turrialba in Cartago province, just 85 km east of San José - the fascinating 3000-yr-old site of cobblestone roads, petroglyphs, tombs, aqueducts and water storage tanks (still functioning) of an agricultural people ruled by cacique chiefs and shamans.
Along the way, visit the famous Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels in Cartago (home to tiny La Negrita, the black Virgin Mary) and the Cartago Ruins from 1732 when the city was devastated by a volcanic eruption.
Many also like to meander the peaceful Orosi Valley’s ruins at Ujarrás and the Cachi Dam (west of Paraiso on Ruta #10), spending a night there or in Turrialba before touring Guayabo the next day.
http://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/guayabo-national-monument
https://www.thetinytravelogue.com/things-to-do-orosi-valley-cachi/
https://www.govisitcostarica.com/region/city.asp?cID=201
Guaitil, the home of Chorotega Pre-Columbian Pottery on the Nicoya Peninsula
Guaitil is a Chorotega native pueblo, unique in Costa Rica, where pottery is produced in the Pre-Columbian tradition, using clay deposits that are fast depleting. The shops around the town square offer pottery demonstrations and specialty wares to decorate your home. We have found them open 7 days/week and can’t resist something new to treasure.
Turn off Ruta #21 onto #150 at the gas station just south of Santa Cruz, travel 14 km on a good road through Santa Barbara, and start watching for native homes & kilns.
https://www.stayintamarindo.com/guaitil-pottery-capital-of-costa-rica/
We like to visit Guaitil after an early morning Palo Verde boat tour, just 15 minutes away, to view exotic birds, monkeys, etc. - the next best thing if your guests don’t have time to visit the Tortuguero Canals.
http://www.paloverdeboattours.com/
The Mysterious Stones Spheres of Costa Rica – a UNESCO World Heritage Site
12 minutes west of Palmar Sur in the Diquis Delta of the Pacific Southern Zone is the excellent Finca 6 Museum, home to the spherical granite stones, known as Las Bolas or Diquis Spheres, that date back thousands of years and are commonly attributed to the extinct Diquis culture. Scientists are still baffled as to how perfectly spherical the stones are, and exactly why they were created. While the largest can weigh as much as 13,000 kg, some are as small as bowling balls.
The museum is the second archaeological site opened to the public by the Costa Rican government (after Guayabo). It is well worth a visit for the trails featuring spheres (some still in situ, others recovered), historical video & more.
https://mytanfeet.com/activities/stone-spheres-in-costa-rica-finca-6/
Without venturing that far, you can also see examples of the mysterious Spheres at the National Museum in San José (Calle 17 y Ave 2), which in itself had an extremely interesting beginning as Fort Bellavista and still has bullets lodged in the walls from the 1948 civil war.
https://www.museocostarica.go.cr/en_en/visitas/horarios-y-tarifas-de-visitas.html?Itemid=110
Maleku Indigenous Reserve – near Arenal

Maleku Indian Reserve Costa Rica https://www.malekuindianscostarica.com/
Boruca People – high in the Talamanca Mountains
The village known as the Boruca People is reached 8 km up an unpaved road with spectacular views above the Terraba River (best travelled by SUV) - turning off Ruta #2 25-km east of Palmar Norte in the Pacific Southern Zone. Attached to a small, interesting museum, we found a co-op with extensive offerings of Boruca (aka Brunka) masks, weavings, drums and artwork. We love our new mask! You can find out much more about visiting the Boruka people and their famous celebration day, Fiesta de los Diablitos, at https://www.borucacostarica.org
Montezuma Surprise
Hotel El Jardín
by Gerry Atchison
Last week we had visitors from Missouri. We decided to take them someplace new to us. David suggested Montezuma, a beach town located at the southern end of the Nicoya Peninsula. He booked us 2 deluxe rooms at a hotel called El Jardín. $95/night for deluxe rooms.
It took us about an hour to drive to Puntarenas where we picked up the ferry. The hotel sent us a ferry schedule in advance. (You will need to get there about 45 minutes to 1 hour before the ferry departs as vehicle space is limited and is on a first-come-first served basis.) On the way over to Montezuma, the ferry was packed. So, I'm glad we got there early. We had eats and drinks on the ferry and it made the 70-minute ferry ride go quickly.
Upon arrival on the other side of the bay, we followed the signs to Montezuma -- an interesting drive. The roads were not bad but a bit curvy. A small portion of the road (about seven kilometers) was gravel, but in pretty decent shape and easy to drive.
We found our hotel, El Jardin, by following the hotel signs. It was a nice place--small and quaint. Hotel receptionist, Mariel Urban, was very helpful. The hotel setting was nestled in large trees and plants--very secluded. It had a nice sized pool and spa. The rooms were equipped with A/C, a small refrigerator, soap, shampoo and towels. If you book a room there, do not book a room on the first floor, because we could hear everything the folks above were doing. Room #9 had a view of the ocean plus a queen size bed and a large bathroom. I suggest asking for this room.
The hotel did offer morning coffee at the reception desk. (English was spoken at the hotel.) It was only a short walk to the town and the beach. We had breakfast at two different locations. We had fresh fruit, egg omelets with rice and beans while enjoying the ocean view.
Montezuma and environs seems to cater to backpackers, divers and snorkelers. Beware, the weather is quite hot in Montezuma, but the sandy beach was nice and not crowded. ATVs are available for rental and many water and land tours were offered. Many of locals are on the street selling their wares--nothing too expensive. There are a number of nice restaurants to choose from offering dinner at reasonable prices.
Our guests just loved the 2 1/2-day excursion. If you have not been there, I suggest you give it a try.
Museo del Jade, Costa Rica’s Best Museum

By Ticonuevo
Since this past May, the Museo del Jade Fidel Tristan (Jade Museum) sponsored by INS has a beautiful new home and completely upgraded and revamped exhibits. It is now located downtown San Jose, across the Plaza de la Democracia (Democracy Plaza) from the Museo Nacional (National Museum). It’s an imposing six-story building with a stone façade and no windows. On the inside, is a five-story atrium with separate exhibit space on each floor. The Museum is beautifully designed and lighted. The floors of Day and Night halls on the third floor are lighted and actually are part of the exhibit. There is now much more backlit signage in English as part of the exhibits. Much of the museum is an immersion of sights and sounds.
The exhibits are divided into theme descriptions of the area of the ancient indigenous tribes, the mythology, sources of jade, creation and artistry of jade artifacts, uses of jade and gold and other precious materials plus a visitable collection on the fifth floor of thousands of pre-Columbian urns, vases, pots and jade jewelry not on display on the floors below. Not to worry: there’s plenty of incredible jade, gold, and ceramics on display in the exhibits.
This is our second visit and the museum has already been tweaked, improved and perfected since our first trip a few months ago. This time, there was even a wonderful temporary exhibit of paintings, drawings and sculpture by Costa Rican artists with a human figure theme. A cafeteria is now under construction and the gift shop is open, but also still under construction.
The museum is open every day from 10AM to 5PM and is easily worth several hours of your time. There are free lockers for purses and shopping bags. (Purses and large bags are not allowed in the exhibit halls.) Admission: citizens and residents, 1,000 colones; residents under 12 and residents over 65 with a Cuidadanos de Oro card are free (probably free even without the card); non-resident visitors are 8,000 colones; Wednesdays and the first Saturday of the month admission is also free. Keep your admission receipt with you and handy as we were asked for ours at the entry to every exhibit hall. Go to: http://www.museoscentroamericanos.net/
costa_rica_museos/museo_jade/jade_costarica.htm for more info. Phone: 2287-6034.
San Ramón Museum
In 2014 the museum hosted a display with a giant, 15' tall sloth, a former denizen of Costa Rica. The display changes annually.
There is no charge for the museum.
Sarchi's Hidden Gem
by Ticonuevo
Only modestly promoted in the area, the Jardin Botanico de Sarchi (the Sarchi Botanical Garden) is truly a hidden gem and not to be missed. It was started by the late Else Kientzler, a German native and Sarchi resident. The garden is maintained today by her family as part of their larger ornamental plant nursery export business.
A tropical version of Victoria B.C.'s Butchart Gardens, this garden covers around 17 acres with over 2,000 native and imported plants and trees. The site includes a children's playground, nature trails, and picnic areas, so take a lunch. The garden is open seven days a week. It is also a popular place for cultural events, usually on weekends. There is a nice gift shop with a good selection of garden/nature books and some crafts. Sometimes there is a small selection of plants to purchase. Allow, at least, two hours, but "plantophiles" could easily spend all day there. Adult admission is $8.00. If you are a pensionado, Sarchi resident or frequent visitor, I believe there is a deeply discounted admission. Reservations are recommended as you must drive through the commercial nursery to get to the garden. (Call: 506 2454-2070 and someone is usually available on the other end of the line that speaks English.)
The garden is located on your right about 400 meters north of the Sarchi municipal pool and soccer stadium. Go to their English language website for photos and more information: www.elsegarden.com.
Costa Rica's Biggest Waterfall
By Jen Seymour
[note: Catarata del Toro is not open on Sundays]
Wow – what an AHHHH-MAZING day we had at Catarata del Toro (translated: “Waterfall of the Bull”). This was a spur of the moment, day-before decision. Our friends told us about it, and asked if we wanted to go. It was supposedly not too far away – in the mountains of Bajos Del Toro Amarillo, Sarchi, Alajuela, and evidently the biggest waterfall in Costa Rica, but not known to many (we had never heard of it). We had no plans for that day, and when you don't have a car, you can't hesitate too long on an opportunity like this - so of course we said YES!
We started out early in the morning, and the drive was beautiful. It was a longer drive than we thought, with no signs for the waterfall, and we stopped and asked local people twice for a point in the right direction. We drove - up, up, up the mountain. It was a very narrow and curvy road, but surprisingly well paved. The views were incredible. We only encountered other vehicles a few times, and they slowed down nicely and both of us got over as far as we could to let the other pass (our friend Steve did a GREAT job driving!). After reaching the top of the mountain, the road oddly started heading back down... But, after driving down a ways we started seeing signs - we were all happy to see this place really DID exist! - and then we finally arrived at our destination. Click here for full article.
posted Jan 7, 2014
Family Friendly Los Trapiches
by Diane Cooner
If you have family coming to visit from the US, or just want to discover a great place to spend the day, visit Hacienda Los Trapiches, located in Santa Gertrudis Sur, about a 25 minute drive east from central Grecia.
A trapiche is a facility where sugar cane is processed. This trapiche is well-known as it has been run by the same family since 1925. They offer regular Sunday demonstrations of how sugar cane is processed and have some great vintage equipment to look at – presses, a waterwheel, ovens, cauldrons – and they are enthusiastic about sharing their tradition.
The full restaurant facility (open on weekends) is available for rent for private parties and has smaller side rooms for rent as well. It adjoins the demonstration area. All covered, all located along a small river surrounded by giant bamboo, so even in the heat it feels cool and refreshing.
Besides the cane processing demo (Sundays at 11), the landscaped grounds offer 2 swimming pools, changing rooms, bathrooms and showers, loads of picnicking spaces including tables and BBQ grills, play equipment for children, wide open spaces for running and playing or just throwing out a blanket to take a nap. There is a football plazo, and ponds with boats to float around in. The river that runs around and thru the facility becomes Los Chorros further downstream, a beautiful waterfall park (best to drive a little past Trapiches to get to Los Chorros, unless you really want a long walk).
I recently went to Los Trapiches for the first time with family and friends and found it to be a gem. We went on a Tuesday and had the place to ourselves – there were less than 2 dozen people there. If you go on the weekend, though, go early (before 10am), as the place is popular and space fills up quickly.
Cost is ₡2500 for adults, weekends charge a bit more for extranjeros.
You can find more info at their website (in Spanish but Google translate will put it into English), including decent maps of how to get there. For those without a car, you can take the bus to Poas/Santa Gertrudis Sur (NOT the Santa Rosa de Poas bus!), get off at the Santa Gertrudis Sur church and follow the signs - it’s less than a 10 minute walk. www.haciendalostrapiches.com or facebook.com/haciendalostrapiches. 2494-1050/2444-6656.
updated 2/27/2017
Espíritu Santo Coffee Tour
by Irina JustNot quite in Grecia, but the closest coffee tour we have (Coope Victoria does not do tours, as far as I know) is Espíritu Santo, named after the nearby mountain in Naranjo. Check out their website for directions, tour times and other details www.espiritusantocoffeetour.com.
Click here to read full article
Chocolate Tour - Costa Rica
Located in nearby La Garita, Chocolate Tour Costa Rica offers this info from their site:
"We try and provide a close encounter to CACAO and it´s 4500 years of history, through a maze garden that takes you indulging the senses with tastes and smells and sensations so delicious....
The Chocolate Tour is a full-immersion tour created by a group of professionals from the gastronomical, historical and natural backgrounds as to provide a unique round experience... a delicious experience.
Please come and meet us... Let´s talk CHOCOLATE.
There are various tours available:
CHOCOLATE TOUR
From Tree to Bar through 4000 years of mystery...
Adults $30 Kids 6-12 $10
Nacionales con cédula c7000
9am - 11am - 1pm
DURATION: 90 min
Bean-to-Bar Workshop
Create Chocolate from cacao beans to bars.
Crash course $250
BOOK 48 hours in advance.
Vivero and Super Foods
Visit the Medical herbs and super foods garden.
ChocoTour Costa Rica is located 500 mts east
of ZOOAVE in La Garita de Alajuela
(506) 2433 2730

(506) 6193 0555
www.choco-tour.com
posted 3/19/2017
Horseback riding and Quetzal watching in Bajo La Paz de San Ramon
by Susan James
Often referred to as "little Monteverde", Bajo La Paz, about 20 min outside of San Ramon, makes a wonderful day trip to a place of serene and magical beauty. The horse rides are on healthy, loved and well trained horses and the trails offer incredible vistas of the surrounding reserves, through forests, pastures, and across streams. Good saddles - and helmets are also available if desired.
A 2 1/2 hour ride costs 10,000 colones. A longer ride includes a hike on foot visit to a remote waterfall, and costs 15,000. Nacho, the owner and guide, has lived there all his life and is delightful. He also offers birds walks in the reserves - March thru May quetzals and bell birds abound, as well as trogons, guans, etc etc. Nacho is incredibly knowledgeable about the birds and is often able to call them in. The bird hikes cost 10,000 and are easy walking on good trails. After your ride or walk, have a yummy lunch at Florie's Soda right in the little village - it is totally charming, has great food, and they always have bananas hanging out for the birds. After lunch visit the wood-fired trapiche next door (usually only open on Thurs) and watch how they make tapa dulce the old fashioned way. For more info, please call Susan at 2454-5897 or call Nacho direct (Spanish only) 8875-1498.
If you have an article about something fun that you have done here in the Grecia area and would like to share it, please submit the info to editor@quepasagrecia.com
Social Interest Requests
This is a section where we hope people can connect over specific interests.
We will keep these requests posted for one month - and encourage people to check out the many Facebook social pages that we list on our Links page.
Central Valley Garden Club
Meetings are educational and fun as we learn about gardening (flowers, vegetables, fruit) in the Central Valley of Costa Rica.
Meetings held in English - All levels of gardening experience welcome.
For more information and meeting location please contact Debra at debra.hammen@gmail.com or 2445-1807.
updated 6/20/2018
Fishing Club Forming
Anyone interested in sharing expenses for fishing adventures in CR on both coasts, contact Ted at wingshooter46@centurylink.net or 8519 4242.
Let's go get 'em! Join up and cut the costs!
posted 9/17
Atenas Bridge Club seeking new members - read more here.
Wanted: Bridge Club
I'm looking for a duplicate bridge group in Grecia, Sarchi or vicinity. I know there's the Atenas Bridge Club, but it's a long drive. I would prefer something closer. I used to play bridge for many years, however am a bit rusty because I haven't played in a while. Contact Jim at jpjust48@gmail.com or cel: 8420-7172.
posted 9/17