Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [111]
Being in a volcanic region also means Orosi has the perks of hot springs. Though not on the scale of the steaming-hot waters found near Fortuna (Click here), Orosi does offer a couple of nice modest pools with warm water. You’ll find Los Balnearios (2533-2156; admission US$2; 7:30am-4pm Wed-Mon) on the southwest side of town next to the Orosi Lodge, and Los Patios (2533-3009; admission US$2; 8am-4pm Tue-Sun) 1.5km south of town. Los Balnearios is more convenient as it’s in town, but Los Patios is a larger complex with a few more springs.
INFORMATION
Find more information on the area on the village website (www.orosivalley.com).
Banco Nacional (300m south of the park) has an ATM and changes money.
Otiac (Orosi Tourist Information & Arts Café; 2533-3640; 9am-4pm Mon-Sat; ) is run by the multilingual Toine and Sara, two long-term residents who have collected a wealth of information on all there is to do in the valley. They can help arrange tours and are a good source of information about volunteer and teaching opportunities. In addition, their roomy space – equipped with wi-fi – functions as cultural hall, cafe, resource center and book exchange. Find their office (it’s prominently signed) 200m south of the park and one block west of the main road.
Aventuras Orosi (2533-4000; www.aventurasorosi.com; 9am-4pm) is another good source of information. Operated by the charming Luis, who served as a guide for the venerable Río Tropicales rafting company for manlake-sy years, this small outfit can organize short, local rafting expeditions (US$40), tours of neighboring coffee fincas (US$30), as well as custom itineraries to the Volcán Irazú or the little-visited Parque Nacional Tapantí-Macizo Cerro de la Muerte. The office is tucked into a U-shaped courtyard 25m north of the park.
ACTIVITIES
The town is a perfect base from which to explore Parque Nacional Tapantí-Macizo Cerro de la Muerte, which offers excellent bird-watching.
If you want to study Spanish, Toine and Sara also run Montaña Linda (2533-3640; www.montanalinda.com), one of the most affordable language schools in the country. For details, see boxed text.
SLEEPING & EATING
Montaña Linda (2533-3640; www.montanalinda.com; camping per person US$3.50, dm US$7.50, d US$30, s/d without bathroom US$15/20, additional person US$5; ) Two blocks south and three blocks west of the bus stop is this great, chilled-out budget option. Eleven tidy dorms and brightly accented private rooms surround a homey terrace with flowers and hammocks. Units all come with access to hot showers, and kitchen privileges are available for a small additional fee (US$1).
Hotel Reventazón (2533-3838; d incl breakfast US$31-55; ) A functional two-story cement structure with seven large, clean tile-floor rooms that come equipped with cable TV, hot water and fridge. There’s free wi-fi and a laundry service is available (₡5000). More expensive units are bigger and have better views.
Orosi Lodge (2533-3578; www.orosilodge.com; d/tr US$53/63, d chalet US$85, additional person US$15; ) This peaceful hotel, run by a friendly German couple, has eight bright rooms with wood-beam ceilings. Each comes with a minifridge, coffeemaker and plenty of organic coffee – and most face a lovely garden courtyard with a fountain. A new three-bedroom duplex chalet is great for families or traveling couples, with a master suite that offers incredible views of the volcanoes in the distance. One room is wheelchair-accessible; credit cards are accepted. The lodge is south of the park, near the entrance to Los Balnearios.
Tetey Lodge (2533-1335; www.teteylodge.com; d/tr/q US$62/79/96; ) On the outskirts of town, about 800m south of the park, Tetley Lodge is set in a low-lying mustard-yellow building that faces the main road. Rooms are spotless, with ceramic-tile floors, bright wicker and wood furnishings, minifridge and cable TV – all facing a small interior courtyard. Breakfast is available for an additional fee. Credit cards accepted.
Hotel Tapantí Media (2533-9090/9393; s/d/tr incl breakfast US$40/55/71;