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An Insight into Escazu - where cultures meet

"Gee Mom, it's a Mall"

Escazu is 10km west of San Jose. This used to be a traditional coffee farming town but no longer. It is now the center of "gringo gulch", home of Tony Romas, Pricesmart and 38 B&B's catering to tourist or displaced gringo needs.

There is still an old town Escazu behind the "main drag" and the market is well worth a visit. The backdrop of the mountains behind Escazu is spectacular. High in the hills above Escazu stands the tiny community of San Antonio de Escazu, famous for its annual oxcart festival.

"The Day of the Boyero is pretty impressive"

When local gringos yearn for a taste of the old country they will come here for the Mall, the movies and the only Indian restaurant in Costa Rica.

Gringoes considering retirement and worrying about stretching their social security may want to skip this town as a potential residence as the prices are the same as "back home". However, this is a vital re-supply point for some things hard to find elsewhere in Costa Rica and the old town is very nice.

Nearbye is the pretty town of Santa Ana - follow the "old road to Santa Ana" and just north of there the up an coming giant shopping strip known as Belen.

If you'd like to visit Escazu, Santa Ana or Belen email us at: InsightCostaRica for information or ideas?