Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [115]
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Tours
The following operators all offer either kayaking or rafting in the area. For the particulars on river runs, see boxed text.
Costa Rica Ríos (in USA 888-434-0776; www.costaricarios.com; Calle 1, north of Av 6) Offers week-long rafting trips that must be booked in advance. It’s 25m north of Parque Central.
Explornatura (2556-4932; www.explornatura.com) This longtime outfitter also runs reader-recommended canyoning expeditions, among other tours.
Río Locos (2556-6035; www.whiteh2o.com) A popular local company does rafting as well as other area tours.
RainForest World (2556-0014; www.rforestw.com) Offering rafting trips since 1981, this company organizes multiday camping and rafting excursions, one of which goes into the Reserva Indígena Cabécar.
Tico’s River Adventures (2556-1231; www.ticoriver.com) Another good local outfit offers all manner of rafting trips and runs a kayaking school.
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Sleeping
TURRIALBA
Whittingham’s Hotel (2556-8822; Calle 4 btwn Avs 2 & Central; d with/without bathroom US$10/8) Seasoned budget travelers won’t mind the seven basic (but reasonably clean) concrete rooms at this hotel operated by the friendly Gerald Whittingham. All come with TV and have access to warm showers. Reception closes at 5pm, so get there early.
Hotel Interamericano (2556-0142; www.hotelinteramericano.com; Av 1; s/d/tr/q US$25/35/45/55, without bathroom US$11/20/30/40; ) On the south side of the old train tracks is this simple 22-room hotel, regarded by rafters as the meeting place in Turrialba. The showers are immaculate, the tiled rooms are bright, the 2nd-story lounge is an ideal spot to sip beer, and Luis, the bilingual manager, is a good source of local information. Breakfast is available on request (US$4).
Hotel Herza (2556-1097; hotelherza@gmail.com; 2nd fl, cnr Av 2 & Calle 4; d US$25; ) This welcome new budget place has eight simple, very clean and airy ceramic-tile rooms with firm beds and is run by the helpful Franklin and his wife. A common terrace overlooks the street, with views of the hills in the background.
Turrialba B&B (2556-6651; www.turrialbahotel.com; Calle 1, north of Av 6; s/d/tr incl breakfast US$40/60/80; ) This charming and tranquil, five-year-old spot has clean, bright, well-appointed rooms, a cozy living-room area, a lovely garden patio equipped with a Jacuzzi and a library chock-full of travel guides on Latin America. There is also a shared kitchen and a small bar. Excellent value.
Hotel Wagelia (2556-1566; www.hotelwagelia.com; Av 4 btwn Calles 2 & 4; d/tr incl breakfast US$83/94; ) Simple, modern and clean no-frills rooms come with cable TV and face a quiet, interior courtyard. A restaurant serves many Tico specialties (₡3100 to ₡7500) and a pleasant terrace bar is a good place for a drink and wi-fi. Nonguests can use the wi-fi with the purchase of a drink.
AROUND TURRIALBA
There are some stellar hotels around the Turrialba area. All have private hot-water bathrooms, and can arrange tours and rafting trips.
Off the highway to Siquirres, 8km east of town, Hotel Turrialtico (2538-1111; www.turrialtico.com; d US$64-75) is a Tico-run lodge that’s been owned and managed by the García family since 1968. There are 14 polished-wood-panel rooms in an old farmhouse that have bright, floral spreads and paintings by local artists. A pleasant open-air restaurant (mains ₡2200 to ₡7000) serves up country cooking (including excellent fresh fish) – and it’s hard to beat the dramatic views.
From the highway, take the turnoff to La Suiza/Tuis, head south for 2km and you’ll see signs leading to Casa Turire (2531-1111; www.hotelcasaturire.com; d standard/ste/master ste incl breakfast US$135/210/350, additional person US$25-55, child under 6 free; ). An elegant three-story plantation inn, it has 16 graceful well-appointed rooms with high ceilings, wood floors and wrought-iron beds; a massive master suite comes with a Jacuzzi and excellent views of the coffee and macadamia-nut plantations in the distance. Spa services are available,