Curridabat is a prosperous suburb of San José on the route east to Cartago. There are boutique shops, malls, and upscale neighborhoods in Curridabat.
Understand
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Curridabat is largely a continuation of the prosperous surroundings of the University of Costa Rica in nearby San Pedro de Montes de Oca. San José's wealthiest population lives here and in the Santa Ana area on the other side of the city. There is, however, a more historic section of Curridabat which consists of the street grid on the southwest side of CR-02. These are centered around Curridabat's parish church.
Get in
[edit]There are regular buses to Curridabat from San José, but Currdabat is less car friendly than San Pedro and the capital. Having a car or using Uber will be advantageous here. There are two train stations in Curridabat on the San José-Cartago line:
Additionally, there is a station in Lourdes within walking distance of Curridabat.
Get around
[edit]Uber is very affordable and usable in this area. Driving is less hectic here than in the capital.
See
[edit]- 1 National Historical Archives (Archivo Nacional Costa Rica), Avenida 26, ☏ +506 2283 1400, [email protected]. A wealth of historical documents are here and are open to researchers and historians. Much of the information has now been stored in an online database.
- 2 San Antonio de Padua Parish Church (across Calle 89 from the central park). Landmark church near the central park of Curridabat.
Do
[edit]There are several major attractions and hiking trails to the east of Curridabat, but they are within the boundaries of Cartago Province. These include the Prussian Forest (Bosque Prusia) and Irazú Volcano. To visit these areas follow the highway to Cartago first, and then turn north. There is a road from Curridabat directly through the mountains but it is in poor condition.
- 1 El Prado Park (Monseñor Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdamez Park), Calle 75. Small park and garden near the Ocloro River in western Curridabat.
- 2 Liberty Park (Parque La Libertad), CR-409. (Website in Spanish.) A 32-hectare (80-acre) recreation park with gardens and a land art trail on the east side of Desamparados, south of Curridabat. The park is open during daylight hours only.
- 3 Teatro Espressivo, Momentum Pinares (between CR-02 and Ruta Secundaria on the province border with Cartago), ☏ +506 2267 1818, [email protected]. Arts and culture theater with a restaurant and regular performing arts programming.
Buy
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There are two malls: 1 Plaza del Sol has an Auto Mercado supermarket and indoor café, while 2 Multiplaza Curridabat is a shopping mall with stores for clothes and other consumer goods. Enter both from the front side facing the main road.
- 3 Mercado Natural, Ciudad de Este, La Marina (just off the highway, near the Cartago province border), ☏ +506 7300 6067, [email protected]. Farmers' market every Sunday morning from 8AM to 1PM.
Eat
[edit]- 1 El Balcón del Marisco, Carr. Interamericana Sur (approximately 1 km east of EPA toward to hwy to Cartago). 10AM-11PM. Great place for fish. Always busy. Service very good. No other place comparable. Clean and safe.
- 2 Pastelería Merayo (one block south from the central park and church), ☏ +506 2272 0081, [email protected]. Bakery with cakes, bread, sandwiches, and the local "queque seco". Also operates in Heredia.
- 3 Sapore Trattoria, CR-02, ☏ +506 2201 6984. Italian restaurant: pastas, pizzas, meat, and risotto.
- 4 Santeria Burgers, Calle 75 (200 meters southwest of CR-02). Costa Rican burgers and chicken sandwiches. Also has a location in Cartago.
- 5 Tree House Pizza, ☏ +506 8741 7713, [email protected]. Pizzas, burgers and small plates.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Recoleta (one block from the main road), ☏ +506 4081 4972. 8AM–7:30PM. Boutique coffee shop, restaurant, indoor garden, and art gallery on a side street in the business district of Curridabat.
- 2 Santo, ☏ +506 4030 5342, [email protected]. Stylish boutique coffee shop in eastern Curridabat.
- 3 ShouChong, Calle 87 (100 meters north of CR-02). Coffee shop and desserts, along with some small entrees are sold here. Inside is designed attractively with flowers and indoor plants.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Hyatt Place Curridabat, Momentum Pinares (between CR-02 and Ruta Secundaria on the province border with Cartago), ☏ +506 2518 7700. Amenities include complementary breakfast, gym, and swimming pool.
Stay safe
[edit]The wealthy parts of Curridabat, particuarly in the northwest of the city closer to San Pedro, are very safe. There are less desirable neighborhoods as you go farther from the city's urban areas. Avoid these areas as some of them a closed neighborhoods that don't welcome outsiders.
Go next
[edit]- San Pedro de Montes de Oca is another attractive city to the northwest known for being the main campus of the University of Costa Rica (UCR).