Guide to Restaurants in Atenas Costa Rica

Here is a sampling of some of the favorite restaurants in Atenas, Costa Rica – frequented both by native Costa Ricans and foreign residents. Although it is a small town, Atenas has a great number of restaurants to enjoy. So this is definitely not a comprehensive list, and there are many more restaurants, fast food places, little cafes, bars and ice cream shops to discover around town and the outlying neighborhoods. For more information about Atenas – named a top place for international retirement – check out the Guide to Living in Atenas, Costa Rica by real estate agency Pure Life Development of Atenas. If you are thinking about buying a home, investment property, or other Atenas Costa Rica real estate, contact Atenas Costa Rica realtors Dennis Easters and Gerardo Porras Gonzalez.

Restaurants in Atenas, Costa Rica

• Antanos Restaurant: Traditional Costa Rican cuisine served in a charming, yellow and white, restored antique house – one of the oldest houses in downtown Atenas. Located 50 meters northeast of the Central Park. Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner, 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. (506) 2446-7542.

• Balcon del Café: Freshly made German and international cuisine; daily lunch specials. Also have an on-site bakery with fresh breads, quiches, pastries & desserts, and a mini-delicatessen selling German sausages & other foods. Located on Hwy. 3, 100 meters west of the flashing yellow light. Open for breakfast and lunch, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday. (506) 2446-8592.
  

• Donde Bocha Café: Mexican-style cuisine & fast food. Located across from the ICE electric company office, next to Miranda hardware store in downtown Atenas. Open for lunch and dinner, 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday & Sunday; 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday; closed Mondays. (506) 2446-2028.

• Don Yayo’s Chicharronera: Traditional Costa Rican cuisine; specializes in “chicharrones” – chunks of fried pork served with fried yucca, pickled bananas and jalapeno peppers. Located on Hwy. 3 by the Oxcart Monument. Open for lunch and dinner daily, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (506) 2446-5901.

• El Chiringuito Italian Restaurant (formerly Alida's): Italian cuisine and thin-crust pizza. Located on the corner 125 meters east of the Catholic Church in downtown Atenas, on the road to Hwy. 27. Open for lunch and dinner, 12:00 to 9:00 p.m. daily except Tuesdays. (506) 4702 9298.

• El Mejor Clima: Small “cantina” style restaurant with varied Costa Rican menu; known for its ceviche. Located on the corner of Hwy. 3 in Atenas by the flashing yellow light. Open for lunch and dinner, 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily. (506) 2446-3212.

• Gelly’s Jardin: Gelato, ice cream, desserts, fast food & coffee in an open-air garden atmosphere. Located on the west side of the Central Park. Open for lunch and dinner, 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily except Mondays. (506) 2446-1229.

• Guanacaste: Traditional Costa Rican cuisine in an open-air restaurant; specialties are ribs, grilled fish, shrimp and ceviche. Located in Barrio Mercedes, 5 minutes from downtown Atenas. Open for lunch and dinner, 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily except Wednesdays. (506) 2446-4995.

• Hotel Colinas del Sol: International and Costa Rican cuisine. Located 100 meters east of the Roca Verde residential development in Atenas. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily except Mondays. (506) 2446-4244.

• Kay's Gringo Postres: Known as the “meeting place” for the international community in Atenas, this little café serves home-style American food; special Sunday brunch served weekly. Located next to the central Health Clinic and Red Cross in Atenas. Open for breakfast and lunch, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. brunch on Sunday. (506) 2446-0664.

• La Carreta: Traditional Costa Rican cuisine in a fun atmosphere; also houses the tremendous Atenas Friends Lending Library. Get a book and have a great meal! Located 50 meters east of the Catholic Church in downtown Atenas, by the tourism information office of CATUCA. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday; 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday to Saturday. (506) 2446-3156.

• La Fiesta de las Pupusas Restaurant: Serve traditional El Salvadoran pupusas. Located in Barrio Los Angeles, next to Don Yayo’s Chicharronera, by the Oxcart Monument on Hwy. 3. Open 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday to Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays. (506) 2446-6987.

• La Trilla: Traditional Costa Rican cuisine, served in an open-air garden atmosphere. Located 50 meters east of the Coopeatenas gas station on Hwy. 3. Open for lunch and dinner, 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily except Tuesdays. (506) 2446-8593.

• Pizzeria La Finca: Specialty thin-crust pizzas, pastas & salads. Located in front of the Civil Registry in downtown Atenas (125 meters west of the Central Park). Open for lunch and dinner, 11:45 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily except Mondays. (506) 2446-6666.

Article by Shannon Farley

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• Guide to Living in Atenas Costa Rica

Helpful tropical climate tips for building a home in Costa Rica

Building in Costa Rica is very different from North America and most of Europe. Located between 9 and 11 degrees latitude above the equator, Costa Rica’s tropical climate comes with its own special considerations.

There are four constants in Costa Rica: sun, rain, wind, and … more sun, rain and wind! Unlike Northern Hemisphere homes designed for freeze-thaw cycles, Costa Rica’s eternal tropical climate deals mostly with varying levels of humidity. Then there is all of that amazing tropical biodiversity – think: termites, ants, beetles and millions of other insects. Of course, being bisected from top to bottom by a chain of volcanoes, and sitting on top of shifting tectonic plates makes for a great deal of seismic activity.

Here are some top points for building a home in Costa Rica. The country’s microclimates vary greatly depending on location; these tips are focused on the Central Valley area, specifically in Atenas, Costa Rica. Learn all about Atenas in this super handy guide to living in Atenas from Costa Rica realtors Pure Life Development of Atenas.

• Construction in Costa Rica typically uses cement cinder block, because it fares better with high humidity and reduces the risk of termite infestation compared to wood. Homes built mostly with wood also require higher maintenance with a humid climate.

• Steel framing lasts longer than wood, but must be galvanized steel or have several coats of anti-corrosive lead paint.

• No need for insulation or central heating. In hot tropical Costa Rica, you don’t want heat trapped in your house, and you definitely don’t need a heater!

• Use drywall sparingly. High moisture levels in Costa Rica lead to mold with drywall. Interior finishes that withstand high humidity include high-gloss paint, concrete, stone, and treated hardwoods. However, add realtors Easters and Gonzalez, this is a tropical country, so mold will grow, period!

• Ceramic tile floors keep your home cool, don’t suck up humidity like carpet, and are easy to clean.

• Cross-ventilation for air flow is the key. Tropical homes use breezeways, French doors and lots of windows to keep air circulating for cooler temperatures and to evaporate moisture. Be sure to have screens and screen doors to prevent bugs from entering your home at dusk, and at the time of year right after the first rains when they suddenly populate by the millions. Houses also should include ceiling fans for additional cooling and air flow.

• Cool your house with lots of shade. Extended roof eaves, wrap-around porches and plenty of plants create natural shade and are ideal for tropical living.

• Swimming pools can be built with concrete and beautifully tiled – for a much lower cost than in the USA. Or the latest trend is pre-fabricated fiberglass pools, which are low-maintenance and flexible – perfect for a seismic country like Costa Rica.

• Eco-construction options in Costa Rica: use sustainable woods like teak; roof tiles made from recycled plastic banana bags that look like terracotta tiles; solar power and especially solar hot water heaters.
• 

• Traditional Costa Rican construction is solid. The foundation, walls and roof are all tied together with rebar and concrete with seismic plates for better stability.

• Whole-house voltage surge protection is a valuable investment to prevent high-tech electronics and appliances from being easily damaged during electrical storms.

Build a custom home in Atenas, Costa Rica

With an ideal location, Atenas, Costa Rica offers everything for a comfortable tropical life. Atenas is located between the capital city of San Jose and Pacific Coast beaches. Atenas claims it has the “Best Climate in the World;” while that may or may not be true, Atenas’ elevation from 2,200 to 4,000 feet and its many ridges and valleys give the town a moderate climate. Atenas Costa Rica realtors, Dennis Easters and Gerardo Gonzalez Porras, have been successfully helping customers buy homes for sale in Atenas Costa Rica, and do home construction in Costa Rica for 10 years. Call or email them today to discuss your Atenas Costa Rica real estate needs.

Article by Shannon Farley

Atenas Costa Rica celebrates 147 years of community & tranquility

“You don’t choose where you are born, but you can choose where you live” wisely states the message from the Municipality of Atenas for the town’s 147^th birthday celebration.

On Friday, Aug. 7, the pastoral coffee town of Atenas, Costa Rica will celebrate its 147^th year of founding. Located in the mountains due west of Costa Rica’s capital city of San Jose, on the edge of the Pacific Coast, Atenas is known for its ideal location and great weather.

It is Atenas’ location, great weather and small-town ambiance that make the country town a special place to live for its 15,000 residents (27,000 including the outlying neighborhoods).

“Everyone is friendly and says hello. It is a tranquil town. I’ve lived here my whole life and will probably stay,” commented a native Atenas resident.
“We take care of each other. It is in our roots. Even with our town’s growth, we have still preserved our small town feel and our customs. People here love our traditions and our tranquility,” said another native resident.
Atenas is a top place to retire in Costa Rica, cited by International Living, HelpAge International and AARP, and has attracted a substantial international population from all over the world.
“One of the main reasons we picked Atenas is because we wanted a cool fresh climate, and it is close to the beach, close to the airport, and close to the city,” said one new resident from Canada.
“We picked Atenas because of location – being half-way between San Jose and the beach. We love Atenas for the climate, living in the country and being a small town. People are very friendly. It’s a quaint old-style village,” commented another Canadian.
“Everywhere your eye falls it is so beautiful. The weather is great. The people are the friendliest of anywhere in the world,” said a resident from the U.S.
A little history of Atenas, Costa Rica
Atenas was founded in 1868 from the oxcart trail that transported coffee from the fertile Central Valley to the Pacific coastal port of Puntarenas. Atenas was a main meeting point along the route. Traders from the coast would travel up the low coastal foothills to Atenas to meet merchants from San Jose and the valley, each side selling their goods to the other. As Atenas developed, citizens from neighboring cities of Alajuela, San Jose and Heredia relocated to the region. Atenas’ oxcart history is immortalized in the famous Oxcart Monument in town by sculptor Manuel “Manolo” Torrecillas Lopez.



San Jose is less than an hour to the east, and some of the best Pacific Coast beaches are under an hour to the west. The town’s rugged terrain of mountains and valleys ranges in elevation from 2,200 to 4,000 feet, offering its residents wonderful weather, stunning mountain landscapes, and panoramic valley and coastal views.

The heart of Atenas is its central park, with the Catholic Church bordering one side and ringed by shops, restaurants and cafes, the National Bank and the Atenas Municipality. The park is a perfect spot to enjoy an ice cream or coffee or simply take in local life. In the late afternoon, flocks of green parrots and the occasional toucan settle in the palm trees above the park.

Celebrate Atenas’ 147^th birthday

The town’s birthday is Friday, Aug. 7, but the main celebration will happen on Sunday, Aug. 9 – the main day off for most people. There will be an exhibition of women entrepreneurs selling their crafts, art and products in the Atenas Central Park from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A children’s area will keep kids happy with inflatable jumping toys, clowns and games.

Visit or live in Atenas, Costa Rica

To visit or live in Atenas Costa Rica , contact the real estate agency Pure Life Development of Atenas. Costa Rica realtors Dennis Easters and Gerardo Gonzalez-Porras specialize in Atenas homes for sale, Costa Rica properties for sale and Costa Rica vacation homes.
Article by Shannon Farley

Why you want to use a real estate agent in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s real estate market is on the rise again and foreign investors are heading to the popular Central American country for retirement or a simpler place to live, or to invest in a Costa Rica vacation home or other property investment. The good news is that foreigners can legally own property in Costa Rica.

Even the savviest home buyer should pause before entering into a real estate deal in a foreign country. There is no way to know everything you need to without years of on-the-ground experience. Whether you are interested in purchasing land, a home, condo or commercial property in Costa Rica, you want to be informed to make the best decisions. This is where you need a professional Costa Rica realtor.

Buying or selling a property anywhere can be a challenge if you are on your own. Buying property in Costa Rica has the added challenges of a different system and language from North America, for instance. Although Costa Rica is considered one of the best Latin American countries regarding foreign investment and ownership rights, there are still things to look out for. Do your property homework, and with a good professional realtor by your side, you’ll be enjoying your new home or life adventure in no time.

Why you should use a real estate agent in Costa Rica

1) You get access to scores of listings, and someone helping you select the right properties to see based on your requirements and interests. In Costa Rica there is no MLS (multiple listing service), which is a centralized, national database of all real estate for sale. If you use a professional Costa Rica real estate agency, you will have access to a diversified portfolio of properties for sale – including properties not yet listed for sale or actively advertised (“pocket listings”). This is especially true in Costa Rica where for sale signs are not commonly used.


2) Real estate agents know the history of a home or property, the location, neighborhood, town and region.

3) You can obtain recommendations for reputable professionals for home and property inspections. Your real estate agent can help you to coordinate these.

4) Real estate agents can help you negotiate a fair purchase price, along with financing, terms, date of possession, and the inclusion or exclusion of repairs, furnishings or equipment. Statistics show that realtors can typically negotiate and save you more money than negotiating on your own.

5) Professional real estate agents will work with a reputable lawyer who specializes in real estate transactions and title searches, and is completely bilingual with experience working with foreign clients.

6) A real estate agent can lead you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly, so that you come to the closing table with no surprises.

7) Working with a professional realtor helps to alleviate much of the stress involved in purchasing a new home or property. A realtor can help you connect utilities, arrange moving services, purchase furniture, and introduce you to the local community, among other things.

REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN ATENAS, COSTA RICA

In beautiful Atenas, Costa Rica, the real estate agency Pure Life Development of Atenas specializes in Atenas homes for sale, Costa Rica properties for sale and Costa Rica vacation homes. Atenas, Costa Rica realtors Dennis Easters and Gerardo Gonzalez-Porras are experts in buying and selling real estate in Costa Rica, land development and home construction in Costa Rica.

Both Easters, a licensed realtor from Florida and real estate professional for 22 years, and his Costa Rican partner Gerardo Gonzalez-Porras are certified with the Costa Rica Chamber of Real Estate. They have been successfully helping customers find new homes in Atenas, Costa Rica for 10 years.

Article by Shannon Farley

15 Tips to Prepare Your Home in Costa Rica for Rainy Season

Rainy season in Costa Rica is here, and with it, changes in weather and the environment that can potentially wreak havoc on your home in Costa Rica if you’re not prepared. These 15 simple tips from Atenas, Costa Rica realtors Pure Life Development will help you stay safe, dry and protected this time of year.

1. Clean your roof gutters. Dry season winds have probably blown a lot of leaves, dirt and debris into your roof gutters. If you don’t clean them thoroughly, the first big rain could cause an overflow, leading to roof damage, leaks, or breaking your gutters.
   
2. Clean your ground drainage gutters. Rain in Costa Rica can range from soft steadily falling drizzle to torrential “the-end-of-the-world-is-near” downpours. You want to make sure all run-off is being diverted away from your house and not going to cause flooding.
   
3. Trim those trees hanging over your roof. Wind and the extra weight of water from rain can cause limbs to break, which could damage your roof or parked car.
   
4. Fix your roof leaks. After the first hard rains, you’ll know if you have any roof leaks. Get them fixed as soon as possible so they don’t expand and become an even bigger problem.
   
5. Clean slippery surfaces. The increase of humidity causes mildew to grow. To avoid dangerous slips and falls on your driveway and pathways to your house, wash them regularly with a power washer to take off any green slime. You can also sprinkle lime powder (calcium hydroxide – called “cal” in Costa Rica) to kill off the mildew.
   
6. Paint, varnish and seal. Protect the outdoor surfaces of your home from inclement weather. Use anti-corrosive paint for metal gates and railings; and varnish to seal wood.
   
7. Buy battery back-ups. You will want to connect all of your fragile electronics – flat screen TV, DVD player, computer, iPod or iPad, high-tech cappuccino maker, etc. – to UPS battery back-ups with surge protection, or at the very least a surge protection powerstrip. Lightning storms and electrical outages are as common in Costa Rica as rice and beans. If a lightning storm is happening close to where you live, it’s better to unplug everything for complete protection until the storm passes.
   
8. Remember your pets. Have a safe and dry place for your pets to go during rain storms.
   
9. Watch your pool PH. Extra rain and the acid in rain (Costa Rica is a volcanic country) can throw off your pool’s PH, causing the water to turn green. During rainy season, check your pool’s PH frequently and consult with your pool supplies store for help.
   
10. Fumigate around your house. When the rains bring Costa Rica back to life that includes the millions of insects that seem to hatch overnight. Fumigating around the perimeter of your home (natural or otherwise) will help keep the critters out of your living space. There also are many natural remedies for controlling the leaf cutter ants that like to voraciously destroy your garden this time of year.
    
11. Avoid dengue fever. Make sure not to have any standing water in your garden or around your property (buckets, unused flower pot plates, etc.) to avoid breeding places for mosquitoes, which can carry dengue fever in Costa Rica.
    
12. Turn off irrigation systems. If you have irrigation systems on timers, you can turn them off during rainy season to avoid wasting water.
    
13. Bring in the garden furniture. Outdoor patio furniture and cushions are best brought in under cover to not get ruined by excess moisture.
    
14. Buy rain gear. New door mats help keep your floors clean. Having an umbrella stand by the front door keeps track of your umbrellas so you always have one when you need one. Owning a pair of rubber boots in Costa Rica is a must.
    
15. Use a dehumidifier. A great method of battling humidity is to use a commercial dehumidifier or GoldenRod dehumidifiers in closets. Or if you have air-conditioning, run it an hour a day to remove moisture.

LIVE IN ATENAS, COSTA RICA



In beautiful Atenas, Costa Rica, Pure Life Development of Atenas specializes in Atenas homes for sale, Costa Rica properties for sale and Costa Rica vacation rentals. See this video for an idea of what it would be like to live in Atenas, Costa Rica or to visit on vacation.

Article by Shannon Farley