Map of Costa Rica and Location of Casa Holanda - A Costa Rican Bed and Breakfast in Heredia, near the San Jose Airport

View of Costa Rica mountains and countryside Casa Holanda B&B


The Big Picture

Casa Holanda is located just outside the quaint city-town of Heredia , which is in the “state” of Heredia in the Central American country of Costa Rica. The airport is approximately 10 kilometers or 6.21 miles. We provide private airport pick-up and drop-off to and from our front door for a fee probably less than what you would pay for a public taxi.

There is numerous information about Costa Rica on the Internet, and below I’ve provided some links that can give you that extensive information and maps about the country.

The water in Costa Rica is drinkable from the tap and of the highest standard. North Americans should not be afraid of it at all. However, as in all cases, including different regions within the United States, it’s probably wise to buy bottled water to drink when vacationing in a different place other than your home.


How far is Casa Holanda Hotel / B&B from the nearest beaches?  Pictures of Manuel Antonio and Corcovado National Park



Everything in Costa Rica is within a day’s drive, including the beaches on both coasts. Casa Holanda is located in the central valley, which is smack dab in the center of it all! It’s been said that Heredia has the most perfect weather in the world!

The closest beach, Puntarenas, on the Pacific side is about a two hour drive west. Stunningly beautiful beaches are in Guanacaste and are about a full day’s drive. There is also the wild (nature and surfing culture) coast of the Caribbean with flatter, bikeable terrain, other stunning beaches and a Caribbean, multi-cultural (including indigenous people) atmosphere. That will take you about 4 hours to drive too as well. You will need to make accommodations to stay overnight at least.

More touristy beaches, but not disappointing at all, are Tamarindo, Montezuma, Jaco with its deep sea fishing and the famous Manuel Antonio Beach with its trails many nature tours. Manuel Antonio is about a little over a ˝ of day’s drive and once again you will need to make accommodations there to fully enjoy it. More wild and woolly, remote beaches for you jungle lovers are located in the south at Corcavado State Park and the Caribbean beaches north of Limon. You might take one of the small in-country planes to these (around $60 round trip, not bad!)

Please note that for North Americans the beaches are very hot and humid! Be sure to have water with you at all times until acclimated and please use sunscreen no less than 50 for fair skin (Yes, you will still tan.) The sun in Costa Rica is many times more intense than up North or even in the Caribbean, since Costa Rica is closer to the equator and the sun’s rays are at a direct angle.

Let's Get Specific: Where in Town Are We?


So let me tell you about the immediate area of the B&B and some of the many interesting things to see and do close by here.

Casa Holanda Bed and Breakfast is located in San Pablo, Heredia, Costa Rica, a short drive from the airport, outside of Heredia, and close to  San Jose in the Central Valley



Casa Holanda B&B is in the community of San Pablo, on southeast corner of the city of Heredia, going towards Santo Domingo and San Jose. Quiet and gentile, within walking distance of the house there is our very own "Cafe New York City" which serves quality cafes, espressos, cappuccinos, cakes, pies, sandwiches, plate of the day, and a stunning view of the Central Valley. San Pablo also boasts great typical food restaurants, a major supermarket, an Internet café, a beautiful old church, pharmacy, fresh fruit stand.

A little farther (via one of the numerous, cheap taxis available) are the center of the city itself, the university, and the new and beautiful mall, Paseo de la Flores , which has what most malls in the US have, including a food court with many of the major Costa Rican chains, except this one has beautiful views of the south mountains.

Heredia, "The City of "Flowers", is one of the oldest cities in Costa Rica (in fact, founded in 1706), and is known as one of the important centers of the coffee trade in the country.

The Café Britt coffee tour will not only tell you all you want to know about Heredia and coffee industry, the actors will perform it for you!


Heredia's El Fortin, Church, Fountain, and Central Market

In town there is the Central Market which has many items for sale and some really good authentic Costa Rican dishes, of course great coffee. Every Saturday morning there is the large open air market where local farmers come to sell vegetables and fruit.

Heredia's central park is simply stunning at sunset, and every Thursday the professional symphony performs a concert there. Heredia has its own bars although the town tends to open and close up early. The street side shops are vibrant, full of life and merchandise is reasonably priced.

Just to the South, San Jose is a 20 minute taxi ride away. Described as a “little New York,” here is your nightlife: concerts, museums, nice restaurants, interesting bars, danceclubs. Afterwards, there is always a taxi available to bring you back home to your room at Casa Holanda.

San Jose, Costa Rica  Pictures of the Teatro Nacional and central market flower stand

Links

Costa Rica:

www.1costaricalink.com (Excellent Web Directory)

Maps of Costa Rica

More Maps and Driving Directions for Costa Rica (Referred by 1CostaRicaLink.com)

And More Enlargable Maps of Costa Rica (Referred by 1CostaRicaLink.com)

Links to Map Homepages of Costa Rica (Referred by 1CostaRicaLink.com)

Lonely Planet's Information on Costa Rica

Costarica.com

La Nacion (The Premier Newspaper in Costa Rica)

The Tico Times (A Newspaper Geared Towards English Speakers)

Insidecostarica.com (A Website Geared Towards the English Speaking Community)

Teletica (Channel 7)



Heredia:

Good Map of Heredia

The Official Webpage of the City of Heredia, CR (In Spanish)

More Indepth History of Heredia and The Area




Heredia Language Schools:

Heredia should also be called the city of schools, because not only the second largest University is here, La Universidad Nacional (UNA), but there are 5 (count 'em 5!) excellent language schools close by. It would be possible to come down to Costa Rica and learn Spanish in an intensive program while you stay at a nearby, quiet setting like Casa Holanda.

Walk to class everyday or we can practice your Spanish with you during your stay.

For business people who want to learn Spanish, you can't beat our setting with our garden patio or dining table for meetings, free local calls and Wireless Internet access.

CPI Spanish Study Website

Intercultura Language School (Learn Latin Dance and Cooking here as well!)

IPED Language Plus

Universidad InterAmericana

UNA's Exchange Student Page




Cool Things to Do in the Area:

First Check Out Our Many In-HouseCasa Holanda Private Tours

The Cafe Britt Coffee Tour

BrittExpressivo (The Theater at Cafe Britt with music and film festivals, quality theater productions (in Spanish) nearby the house)

INBioParque

The La Paz Waterfall Gardens (Kind of One Stop Shopping in Tours of Costa Rica)

Poas Volcano (Pretty Drive There, Smell the bowels of the Earth)

Braulio Carillo National Park (Big and Beautiful!)

Irazu Volcano National Park

Ariel Tram Canopy Tour

Pacaure River Rafting (Another must!)

Pacuare River Rafting Info

Sarapiqui Canopy and Rain Forest Tour

Surfing Information (Costa Rica is Hot with Good Surfing)

Costa Rica Surf Camp Trips & Packages with Yoga




Caribbean Coast (Puerto Viejo and more north Tortuguero) Recommendations:

The southeast coast of Costa Rica is a quirky, melting pot of cultures with surfers, beautiful beaches and an abundance of tropical wildlife. Cahuita National Park contains the second largest coral reef in Central America. Cocles is a well-known surfing spot with its Salsa Brava reef break with Hawaiian style waves.

Tortuguero is the village and national park farther north on the Caribbean coast. Tons of wildlife reside here, not to mention the nesting of the sea turtles during the months of August through October.

Below are our sister inns, which provide very different experiences for travelers. Click on their sites for more information.

Cashew Hill Jungle Lodge (Stay in the sights, sounds, and surprises of the tropical rainforest, 5 min. walk to/from the beaches)

El Encanto Bed and Breakfast (Beautiful, private and spritual setting)

Costa Rica Caribbean Way Website (Area Information)

Turtle Beach Lodge (in Tortuguero and lots to do there. The only lodge within the National Park.)

Costa Rica Guide (Clickable Map and Area Info)


Arenal Volcano Area Recommendations:

Leaves and Lizards Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat


Orosi Valley Recommendations:

The stunning and picturesque Orosi Valley is just beyond the country's original capitol of Cartago. It is an area which is much more rural and nice compliment to Casa Holanda located in Heredia and near San José.

Orosi Valley Farm Bed and Breakfast (On the edge of a mountain with friendly, knowledgeable owners)


Pacific Side Recommendations:

When we say Pacific Side, this means beaches in Manuel Antonio, Jaco Beach, and Guanacaste areas.

Costa Rica Canopy Tours in Manuel Antonio - The longest ride

Ama Tierra Hotel and Retreat (We like this place not only because it's nice, but musical as well.)

Finca Los Caballos Nature Lodge Hotel, Montezuma - Horseback Riding, Birdwatching, Honeymoons

Costa Rica Surf School, Jaco & Hermosa Beaches



Music, Theater, and Cultural Links:

The National Theater (Schedule, Tickets, Information)

Brittespressivo (The theater at Cafe Britt with music and film festivals, quality theater productions (in Spanish) nearby Casa Holanda)

Jazz Cafe (Local/international acts. Located in San Jose, San Pedro District)

Vocalist.org (Free listing for vocalist and singing teachers in Costa Rica and Worldwide)

The Credomatic Annual Music Festival (Usually Held in August)

Festival de Las Artes Costa Rica (Held in a different town every year)

San Jose's Fiesta de la Musica (Usually held in public spaces in June)

Costa Rican Department of Culture and Youth

The composer James Nathaniel Holland's website

Amodeo Art in Motion Art Gallery (Buy quality art of local Costa Rican Artists)

Entretenimiento (Information and Promotions on Concerts)



Airlines:

American Airlines (Specials are Frequent to Costa Rica)

Continental Airlines (Specials and Direct Flights from Newark, NJ)

TACA Airlines (Regional but Flies from North American Cities Too)



Helpful Travel / Services Information:

www.1costaricalink.com (Excellent Web Directory)

Alfa Travel Guide - Central America

TripAdvisor (Read unbiased opinions about hotels and vacations)

Costa Rica Car Rentals

Costa Rica Translation Service Company

Limousine Service for Weddings, Special Events

Costa Rica Real Estate, Central Valley Homes, Lots

Colina Dental Clinic, Cosmetic Dentistry

Costa Rica Hotel, Diving Center, Drake Bay

Sixt Costa Rica Rental Cars, 4X4s - San Jose Airport

Eco-Vacation Rental Villas Overlooking Playa Dominical in Costa Rica

Costa Rica Hotel on the Beach at Playa Grande - Surfing, Yoga

Costa Rica Yoga - Meditation Courses, Spiritual Teachings, Retreats

COINED Spanish Courses in Costa Rica - Heredia, Samara Beach

Costa Rica Business Services & Products Website

Costa Rica Real Estate - Houses and Lots in Puriscal, Central Valley

After Biz Life - Leisure Activities, Shopping

The Bed and Breakfast Directory

Accommodations in London

Vacation Rentals PerfectPlaces.com has 1000's of vacation rental homes, villas, condos, and Bed and Breakfasts worldwide.

Victoria bed and breakfast, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada.

Paris Vacation Rentals

Australia Hotels AsiaRooms provides the complete information about the booking of hotels in Australia. Accommodation in Australia.





HEREDIA, COSTA RICA

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Casa Holanda B&B Newsletters Composer James Nathaniel Holland




Last update January 2007 2006
This Website, all copy and graphics are copyrighted 2007 James Nathaniel Holland, Composer, Pianist.