Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 2467-8087; mains US$3-11; 11am-11pm)
Overlooking a bullpen, this place is bustling with hungry
campesinos
(farmers). It has an
expansive menu of local dishes, and it's a great spot for a cold beer. Come for lunch on
Tuesday or Thursday to see the cattle auction.
WORTH A TRIP
PROYECTO ASIS
It's an animal rescue center. It's a volunteer project. It's Spanish classes…
Proyecto Asis
(
2475-9121;
www.institutoasis.com
;
adult/child US$29/17, incl volunteering US$51/29; tours
8:30am & 1pm) is doing a lot of good, and you can help. The introductory experience is a
90-minute tour of the wildlife-rescue center, which is pricey, but it affords some up-close
interaction with the animals and - more importantly - the money goes to a good cause.
Pay a bit more to follow up with a volunteer opportunity to help with the care or feeding of
the animals. Asis also does homestays in the local community and offers Spanish
classes. It's located about 20km west of Ciudad Quesada (San Carlos), past the village of
Florencia. Reserve at least a day in advance.
Ciudad Quesada (San Carlos)
Pop 29,900
The official name of this small city is Ciudad Quesada (sometimes abbreviated to
'Quesada'), but all the locals know it as San Carlos, and local buses often list San Carlos
as the destination. It's long been a bustling ranching and agricultural center, known for its
talabaterías
(saddle shops), where a top-quality saddle can cost US$1000. Get a sense of
that at
Feria del Ganado
(a cattle fair and auction), which is held every April and accom-
panied by carnival rides and a
tope
(horse parade).
Although San Carlos is surrounded by pastoral countryside, the city has developed into
the commercial center of the region - it's gritty and quite congested. Fortunately, there's
no real reason to enter the city, except to change buses. The hot springs and resorts are loc-
ated about 8km east of town, heading toward Aguas Zarcas.
As it's the regional market town, you'll find plenty of ATMs, internet cafes, groceries
and shops around Parque Central.
