Best Hotels in San Ramón, Costa Rica

The most famous cloud forests in Costa Rica are in Monteverde, but the San Ramón area offers a great cloud forest experience as well, with fewer crowds. This is one of Costa Rica’s hidden gems, not visited by most international tourists who head to the most popular destinations. This means travelers often overlook everything it offers, especially for nature lovers. Hiking, birdwatching, horseback riding, and more are all available here.

San Ramón offers a real look at the rural areas of Costa Rica, with farmlands and forests surrounding the main town. Here, most accommodations are geared towards nature enthusiasts and they tend to be small, boutique, and cozy. There are a lot of bed & breakfasts, rustic cabins, and locally-owned hostels.

Of them all, Villa Blanca is the best palace to stay. It’s far enough into the countryside for expansive views of the forest and close enough to the main town to access its conveniences. Villa Blanca honors Costa Rican history with its casitas—each one is painted to resemble Costa Rica’s traditional homes from the 19th century. For an authentic feel of the country, there are not many better places to go to.

San Ramón has a very convenient and privileged location, close to most of Costa Rica’s main tourist attractions. It’s 34 miles away from the Pacific Coast, 36 miles away from San José, and 19 miles away from the closest international airport, making it a perfect stop for travelers upon arrival or before leaving.

One of the main attractions in the area is undoubtedly birdwatching. There are many birding hot spots because of the cloud and tropical rainforests. The trails take you through a variety of topography that gives visitors more chances to see as many species as possible. There are open and semi-open spaces in the forests, intermediate altitudes where you could spot species from different habitats, and interesting landscapes while you hike. A highlight of San Ramón is that you can see species from both the Pacific and the Caribbean sides of Costa Rica, as well as migratory and resident species, such as the resplendent quetzal, the orange-bellied trogon, various types of hummingbirds, and the three-wattled bellbird.

In addition, there are other activities for those who love exploring the great outdoors. Apart from hiking, there are a variety of options, from calmer activities such as butterfly and frog gardens to thrilling adventures such as rappelling, canopy zip-lines, and whitewater rafting. If you love chasing waterfalls, San Ramón has various good spots as well. One of the most famous ones here is Hediondo River, translated to something like “Smelly River.” It derives its lovingly mocking name from its strong smell of sulfur, which it carries from the nearby mountain ranges where volcanoes dwell. Its restorative properties make it a good place to go for an impromptu skin treatment right in the heart of nature.

If you’re interested in Costa Rica’s culture, San Ramón is definitely a good place to be in. San Ramón is dubbed the “City of Poets and Presidents,” because many Costa Rican laureates have been born here. The main town has several museums and monuments to commemorate these important figures, as well as points of interest that are connected to local folklore and legends. If you want to see more of what San Ramón storytelling is about, these are great places to investigate.

The town also caters to those who like to eat well. From the local market, where you can purchase fresh fruits and other locally-made produce, to restaurants of traditional and international food, you have a good range to choose from. At first glance, not many would think San Ramón could offer such variety, but it’s full of pleasant surprises! Make sure to try one of the ice creams made right in town while you take a stroll at the park.

Rural tourism is the bread and butter of San Ramón, so cultural tours focused on agricultural practices abound. You can visit farms to milk cows or learn how sugar cane is processed, and you can experience what modern-age organic farming is all about as well as insightful coffee tours. They’re all very representative of the lifestyle San Ramón sees every day.

Keep in mind San Ramón is a rural area, so it is often overlooked. To those not in the known, it’s a little isolated from the rest of the main tourist hot spots, and you might think there is not a lot to do. However, it’s really worthwhile to see a side of Costa Rica few visitors see, providing authentic experiences and hidden gems. It’s especially good for those who like nature, silence, and birdwatching. Because of its location, it’s best to get private transportation to bring you here and pick you up, and it’s a great last or first stop either right after or before your flight home. Give this town a chance and discover what makes it so unique!