Pura Vida Hotel (Alajuela, Costa Rica)

About Pura Vida Hotel

The Pura Vida Hotel is the ongoing effort of one simple idea - "a place we would like to stay ourselves" when we travel. Just 4Km from the international airport SJO (Juan Santamaria), 25 minutes from San Jose, the capital, and right in the middle of the country. We are half way between the Pacific Coast and the Caribbean. Just the place to start your exploration of Costa Rica - the Pura Vida is "base camp Costa Rica". Situated in a residential area of the Tuetal Village and surrounded by coffee and sugar cane farms, there is a nice view to Poas Volcano particularly from the Rain Forest Casita and the Volcano Studio. The original "Casa" or main house was originally a coffee finca and is about 90 years old. It has been converted into a country Inn with comfortable guest rooms in the main house and our featured free standing Casitas in the garden. We have a private and secure parking compound. The coffee plantation has evolved into a delightful tropical garden with all kinds of tropical fruit trees including bananas, lemons, mangoes, star fruits, avocados, papaya, grapefruit, carambola, mango, cas and oranges. We have a special orchid garden and little demonstration gardens like pineapple and coffee (in memory of the function of the old finca). There are also lots of native species of trees and flowers such as heliconias, palms, plantains, bougainvillea attracting birds and butterflies. We overlook the Itikis valley and on the near horizon you will see the rim of Poas Volcano - one of 6 active volcanoes in Costa Rica - just 45 minutes from the hotel by car. Another 20 mins or so from Poas Volcano is the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, another excellent visit. 35 mins or so west of us is the historic town of Sarchi - the woodworking capital of Costa Rica and maybe 8km away is the delightful Zoo Ave - the most pleasant little zoo on the planet. Your hosts and owners are from California via the UK and Asia. The garden restaurant is private and only for hotel guests. We serve a delicious breakfast and very special three course dinners featuring a blend of Costa Rican, French and Asian cuisine, tasty stuff. Dinners are not always available and need to be booked in advance. The Pura Vida Hotel can be the perfect place to start and end your explorations of Costa Rica. The property includes 4 individual "Casitas" in the gardens, a studio and a room in the main house. A Casita is a small cottage or bungalow in the garden. Each free standing Casita has 1 or two bedrooms and sleeps 2 to 6 people. Each Casita has a private bathroom with hot water showers and either garden views or views to the Poas Volcano. Your Casita includes a fridge, coffee maker, safe, alarm/radio or CD (depending on which Casita). There is secure parking on the property. If you need transfers or tours anywhere in Costa Rica, email us for additional information. If you want to find the special places we have excellent English speaking local guides to get you there. In particular, we specialize in turning transfers into interesting day tours.