Central Valley & Highlands - Costa Rica - page 227

side. Attractively priced 'Hello-Goodbye' packages and 15-minute airport transfers (US$15
uphill, US$10 downhill) provide incentive to begin and end your travels here.

Xandari Resort Hotel & Spa HOTEL
( GOOGLE MAP ; 2443-2020, in USA 1-866-363-3212; www.xandari.com ; d villa US$299-418, q villa
US$622; )
With spectacular bird's-eye views of the Central Valley, this romantic spot is the fanciful
creation of a Californian architect-designer couple. Spacious individual villas, tastefully
but playfully decorated in vibrant tropical colors and hand-woven textiles, include garden-
view shower and sitting area. The grounds offer 4km of trails, five waterfalls, three pools,
two Jacuzzis, a spa and an organic-foods restaurant.

Hotel Buena Vista HOTEL
( GOOGLE MAP ; 2442-8595, in USA 1-800-506-2304; www.hotelbuenavistacr.com ; incl breakfast
d standard/deluxe/junior ste/villa US$157/169/189/236; )
About 5km north of Alajuela, this whitewashed Mediterranean-style hotel, perched on a
mountaintop, has panoramic views of the nearby volcanoes. The best of the tastefully dec-
orated rooms have private balconies with valley views; five villas offer privacy along with
wood-beamed ceilings, minibar and private balcony. A small trail leads down through a
coffee finca to the main road.

Eating
For the cheapest meals, head to the enclosed Mercado Central ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ;
Calles 4 & 6 btwn Avs 1 & Central; 7am-6pm Mon-Sat) . Self-caterers can stock up on groceries
at the Palí ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; cnr Av 2 & Calle 10; 8am-8pm) , MegaSuper ( MAP

GOOGLE MAP ; Av Central btwn Calles Central & 2;

8am-9pm) or Más X Menos ( MAP

GOOGLE MAP ; Av 1 btwn Calles 4 & 6;

7am-9pm Mon-Sat, to 8pm Sun) .

Jalapeños Central MEXICAN
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 2430-4027; Calle 1 btwn Avs 3 & 5; mains US$4-8; 11:30am-9pm Mon-

Sat, to 8pm Sun)