Northwestern Costa Rica - Costa Rica - page 489

Cruz itself is a fairly sleepy provincial town set on a mountaintop plateau, with lots of Tico
charm and magical views of an epic windswept bay. At the time of writing, the town was
rebuilding a mirador (lookout point) and tourist-information center, with an amazing pan-
orama stretching all the way to Nicaragua.

Activities

Spider Monkey Canopy Tour CANOPY TOUR
( 2679-8227; [e-mail] )
On the road to Bahía Salinas you'll find the requisite canopy tour, with 11 cables and a
Tarzan swing. The place also organizes hiking and horseback riding in the surrounding dry
forest. It's worth stopping just to eat lunch at La Casa del Abuelo ( 2679-8227; mains

$3-8; 11am-9pm) .

Sleeping & Eating

Amalia's Inn INN
( 2679-9618; s/d US$25/35; )
This yellow stucco house on a cliff isn't a bad place to spend the night. For starters, the
shared terracotta terraces have stupendous bay views. Inside, homey rooms are furnished
rather randomly, but the brick floors and wooden ceilings are attractive. Walls in the mean-
dering house are hung with modernist paintings by Amalia's late husband, Lester Bounds.
Amalia's niece is now the lady of the house, and short of offering meals she'll make you
feel right at home.

Hotel La Mirada HOTEL
( 2679-9702; www.hotellamirada.com ; s/d/tr US$28/44/56; )
Just off the Interamericana you'll find the town's spiffiest spot. Family owned and lovingly
cared for, rooms are spacious and clean, with high, beamed ceilings and loft sleeping
spaces. The biggest rooms have kitchenettes. Despite the name, there's no view to speak
of. The place was up for sale at the time of writing, so everything is subject to change.

Hotel Bella Vista HOTEL