Hotel Alta las Palomas
A boutique hotel on the hills between Escazú and Santa Ana, where the Deluxe Valley View balconies face the sunset over the valley.
4-starView hotel
Escazú, Costa Rica
A green suburb 15 minutes from San José and 30 from the airport, with fine restaurants, the Multiplaza mall and an old colonial town in the hills above.
- Fly into
- SJO
- About 30 minutes by road
- Best weather
- Dec to Apr
- Clear, dry skies
- From San José
- 15 minutes
- Close to the city, calmer to stay
- Region
- Central Valley
- Spring-like weather almost all year
- Pairs with
- Arenal
- Private transfer from San José, 3 to 3.5 hours
Why go
Close to the city, away from the bustle
Escazú comes in two parts. San Rafael de Escazú, right at the highway exit from San José, is the modern side, with high-end hotels, restaurants from Indian and Italian to Costa Rican, and the Multiplaza mall. Higher up the mountain, old Escazú is more traditional, with small typical restaurants and a vegetable market on Saturdays, and above it San Antonio de Escazú, where lodges and restaurants look out over the whole Central Valley. From there a trail climbs Pico Blanco toward the big cross of Escazú: a hike of about 3 hours, and still rural this close to the city.
San RafaelRestaurants, hotels, the Multiplaza
Old EscazúTypical restaurants and the Saturday market
The hillsA hike toward the cross of Escazú
Hotels we know personally
3-star and above only, chosen by our team in Costa Rica.
When to go
Clear skies December to April
Escazú is in the Central Valley, where the weather feels like spring almost all year. December to April is the dry season, with clear skies; the rest of the year is the green season, with more rain.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Dry season, clear skiesGreen season, more rainSemana Santa, 21 to 28 March 2027: plan early
30 minutes from the airport
From the airport (SJO)about 30 minutesPrivate transfer, with a meet and greet at arrivals
To San Joséabout 15 minutesFor the museums and the National Theatre
On to Arenal3 to 3.5 hoursPrivate transfer from San José
Good to know
Escazú questions we answer every week
Should I stay in Escazú or San José?
Escazú is about 15 minutes from San José yet feels far from the busy city, with high-end hotels, good restaurants and shopping, which makes it an easy first or last night.
How far is Escazú from the airport?
About 30 minutes from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). We arrange the private transfer.
What is there to do in Escazú?
Shop at the Multiplaza, eat out (Vietnamese, Italian, Indian, Costa Rican and more), walk old Escazú and its Saturday market, or hike toward the cross of Escazú. Poás Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens are day trips.
When is the best time to visit Escazú?
December to April, the dry season, when the skies are clear.
Where should I stay in Escazú?
Our team's favourite is Hotel Alta las Palomas, a boutique hotel on the hills between Escazú and Santa Ana, with a pool, a sauna and sunsets over the valley. For a five-star hotel next to the Multiplaza, the InterContinental.
Your Costa Rica, planned by people who live here
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Since 2004 in Costa RicaOver 25,000 clients1,200+ five-star reviewsICT licensed, Declaratoria Turística