West of San José in the Province of Alajuela is the little town of Atenas, home to Costa Concierges. With average temperatures of 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, the town’s motto is “Best climate in the world” and every year at the end of April they celebrate the “Expoferia del Clima” with exhibitions of Costa Rican arts, tipical food, music and dance. Atenas is also the name of the distrito (district) the city is located in, which covers an area of 8.93 km² and has a population of 7,716. It’s name is the Spanish translation of Athens and local folklore has it that in 1833, Jose Rafael Gallegos Alvarado, the region’s Chief of State, admired Greek culture so much he submitted the name for the new town. There are doubts about the authenticity of this claim, but it remains popular legend.

The city is at an elevation of 698 meters above sea level on the western edge of the Central Valley (Valle Central) and is conveniently located 25 kilometers southwest of the provincial capital city of Alajuela, 20 kilometers from Juan Santamaria International Airport, and 35 kilometers from the national capitol city of San Jose.

The town is surrounded by mountains and coffee plantations in a prosperous agricultural area and hosts a weekly farmer's market. The town center features an immaculate, white church and a picturesque park lined with palm trees. There is a community health center, as well as pharmacies, doctors, dentists, a tennis court, fitness center, swimming pools, parks, banks, shops, bed-and-breakfasts, and restaurants in the village.

The heart of Atenas is the central park, a peaceful spot perfect for enjoying an ice cream or coffee or simply taking in the local life. In the late afternoon, flocks of green parrots and the occasional toucan appear in the palm trees above. Several cafes and restaurants line the park and serve delicious and inexpensive Costa Rican cuisine. The central market, a block southwest of the park, is bustling with vendors selling everything from fresh fruits and cheeses to shoes and jewelry.

Like much of the country, the Atenas region was originally inhabited by indigenous Indians. In 1843, the oxcart trail was created to transport coffee from the fertile Central Valley to the coastal ports of Puntarenas and Limon. As the trail passed through Atenas, development ensued and citizens from neighboring Alajuela, San Jose and Heredia relocated to the region. Located on the old road to Puntarenas, the national oxcart driver (locally known as Boyero) monument is located in Atenas, a tribute to the tradition and hard work of that bygone era. Atenas is now flanked by the very busy road that travels to the beach towns of Jaco and Quepos.

Healthcare

From friendly local doctors, to an English speaking chiropractor to a good local vet, routine healthcare in Atenas is affordable and easily accessible.

State of the art healthcare is available less than an hour away in San Jose and in Escazu, a San Jose suburb. Hospital Cima in Escazu is a top-rated Costa Rican hospital and is affiliated with Baylor University Medical Center.

Emergency services are available in Atenas as well, with a fully staffed "Cruz Rojo".

Shopping

Everything you need for day to day life is easily found in Atenas and many residents rarely need to shop outside the town. However, US style shopping centers are available in Alajuela and Santa Ana, both less than an hour away.

Banking

Costa Rica's major banks all have a branch in Atenas.

Recreation

Atenas’s central location makes it easy for day trips to some of the most popular areas of Costa Rica, including:

The LaPaz Waterfalls
This beautiful attraction is located a short drive just north of Alajeula.

Poas Volcano
This magnificent attraction is located 19 miles (30 km) northwest of San José (25 miles, 41 km, 70-90 minutes, depending on the route by road).

Arenal Volcano
Arenal Volcano, one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world, is a fascinating natural wonder and a must visit destination for tourists and residents alike. On almost a daily basis, red-hot rocks crash down its steep slopes and volcanic grumbles produce huge ash columns above the crater. Don’t forget to visit some of the variety of thermal hot springs in this area, from luxurious to Tico-style, well worth a day trip on their own, made even more magical by the vision of the active volcano above.

Lake Arenal
Perhaps the lake’s biggest claim to fame is Rainbow Bass sport fishing. These large, fighting fish are called “guapote,” and they are members of the cichlid family. Their meat is white & tasty, but their sharp teeth and feisty nature make catching them a real challenge.

Lake Arenal also enjoys a world-class reputation amongst windsurfers and sailboarders. In addition to the lake’s spectacular scenery, its unique combination of fresh warm water and strong steady wind provides excellent windsurfing conditions.

Pacific Beaches
The stunning beaches of the Pacific are easily reached from Atenas, including Jaco, just an hour away, Manuel Antonio National Park and miles of lesser known (but no less stunning), secluded beaches you will discover along the way.

Atenas is our home and we love sharing our knowledge about the area, please contact Costa Concierge Services with any questions about the region, we will be happy to answer them!