Escazú

Escazú is 17-19 km from Juan Santamaría International Airport: roughly 20-30 minutes when traffic cooperates. Take the General Cañas Highway west from the airport, then connect to the Próspero Fernández Expressway and exit at San Rafael de Escazú. Avoid rush hours (7-9am and 5-7pm weekdays) when the metro corridor slows significantly. Private transfers from SJO run $25-40 for up to 4 passengers; Uber costs $12-18 depending on traffic and exact destination. It's the closest major upscale residential area to the airport in all of Costa Rica.

Escazú is consistently rated one of the safest areas in Costa Rica. The majority of residential properties are in gated communities with 24/7 security, controlled access points, and private roads. The commercial areas around Multiplaza and Avenida Escazú are well-lit, busy with locals and tourists, and have a visible security presence. It's home to a large international community of diplomats, expat professionals, and international school families, which shapes the overall environment. Standard Costa Rica precautions apply (don't leave valuables visible in cars, stay aware at night), but within Escazú's residential zones you can genuinely relax.

Escazú is the medical tourism capital of Costa Rica. Hospital CIMA (one of the largest JCI-accredited hospitals in Central America) is located in the district, along with dozens of specialist dental clinics, cosmetic surgery practices, and medical centers. Patients come from North America and Europe for procedures (dental implants, cosmetic surgery, orthopedics, cardiac care) at 40-70% of U.S. prices, then recover in upscale vacation rentals rather than hotel rooms. A private home with a full kitchen, quiet space, and pre-stocked groceries is far better for surgical recovery than a hotel. Nest Stays properties in Escazú are popular specifically for this purpose.

Escazú has the best restaurant scene in Costa Rica's Central Valley. For traditional Costa Rican food with panoramic views, Mirador Tiquicia in the hills of San Antonio de Escazú is essential: hilltop setting, sunset views over the valley, and genuinely good local cooking. La Divina Comida does serious Peruvian with a curated wine list and stylish terrace. El Novillo Alegre is the go-to Argentine steakhouse for premium cuts. Multiplaza and Avenida Escazú have international chains (P.F. Chang's, La Fabbrica, L'Ile de France) alongside local spots. Taj Mahal serves proper Indian in a garden setting. Ask your property manager for current picks; this scene evolves, and the best local knowledge beats any published list.

Escazú rewards those who know how to use it as a base. In town: Multiplaza for serious shopping (designer brands, AutoMercado supermarket, cinema), Avenida Escazú for cafes and boutiques, the Saturday produce market in San Antonio for local color, and restaurant-hopping across a dining scene that covers most of the world's cuisines. Day trips from Escazú are excellent: Poás Volcano National Park (1 hour), Doka Estate coffee plantation tours (1.5 hours), La Paz Waterfall Gardens (1.5 hours), Sarchí artisan village (1.5 hours), Cartago's Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles and Irazú Volcano (1.5 hours). San José museums and the National Theater are 20 minutes east.

Escazú sits at roughly 1,000 meters elevation in the Central Valley, which means spring-like weather nearly year-round: daytime temperatures between 18-26°C (65-80°F) with cool evenings. December through April is dry season, with clear skies and stable conditions. May through November brings afternoon rains (usually 1-3 hours in late afternoon), but mornings are reliably dry and the evenings are pleasant. Unlike the beach destinations, Escazú doesn't have a dramatic seasonal difference; the restaurants and shopping are always operational, and the day-trip destinations function year-round. This makes it an excellent choice for any month.

A rental car gives you the most flexibility, especially for day trips to volcanoes, coffee tours, and other Central Valley destinations. Within Escazú itself, Uber is abundant, reliable, and cheap ($3-8 for most rides within the district). Traditional taxis (orange) are also plentiful. The commercial zones around Multiplaza, Avenida Escazú, and San Rafael are reasonably walkable for shopping and dining, but the hillside residential areas require wheels. Driving in Costa Rica takes adjustment; roads narrow quickly, signage is minimal, and GPS is essential. For SJO airport runs, Uber or private transfer is more convenient than managing airport parking.

San José's downtown hotels put you in the middle of a dense, noisy, and congested city center with limited dining quality and ongoing security concerns. Escazú gives you residential quiet, genuine safety, the best restaurants in the country, a short Uber to any San José meeting, and a property that feels like home rather than a hotel room. For medical recovery, the difference between a hotel and a private home with a full kitchen and grocery delivery is significant. For business travelers who want a good dinner after work without a 45-minute commute. For anyone staying more than 3 nights, Escazú's infrastructure, dining, and livability beat downtown San José decisively.

Multiplaza Escazú is the finest shopping mall in Costa Rica: international designer boutiques, an AutoMercado supermarket (upscale, imported goods, excellent wine and cheese), multiple restaurant floors, and two cinema screens. Adjacent Avenida Escazú is an open-air commercial district with boutique stores, cafes, and specialty shops in a more pedestrian-friendly format. Together they cover everything from daily grocery runs to serious retail therapy. For artisan crafts and local souvenirs, the Saturday market in San Antonio de Escazú or a day trip to Sarchí (60 km northwest) gives you a different, more authentically Costa Rican shopping experience.

Escazú is one of the most family-friendly locations in Costa Rica for stays beyond the beach. The gated residential communities are genuinely safe environments where kids can move freely. International schools in the area mean the neighborhood is full of expat families who know the area well. Hospital CIMA provides peace of mind for any medical needs. The restaurant scene caters to families at every price point. Day trips to Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and interactive coffee tours work for kids of most ages. The consistent spring-like climate is more comfortable for young children than the Pacific coast's full-sun beach heat.