At a Glance
Set on a working organic coffee plantation, Finca Rosa Blanca is a great spot to spend your first or last night in Costa Rica for those using San José airport, located 15 minutes away.
Review
Despite being situated so close to downtown San José, the tree-shaded Finca Rosa Blanca feels a world away from the craze of Costa Rica’s largest city. This is, in part, due to its location 4,000 feet above sea level (which makes for sweeping city views) and setting within one of the region’s best organic coffee plantations. The hotel’s distinct home-like charm can be attributed to its former life as the owner’s personal residence.
Spread among lush gardens, each of the 13 rooms and suites are done in an eclectic style, with vibrant murals adorning the walls and hand-painted tiles adding personality to the bathrooms. The quirky décor tends towards the bohemian side, but is nonetheless perfectly comfortable, and the property does have pampering amenities like a pool and spa, as well as air conditioning and WiFi (although it is intermittent).
The star attraction at Finca Rosa Blanca is the coffee plantation tour, where guests learn each step of the coffee bean growing process and can participate during harvest season (winter). Even those who don’t do the tour can experience the caffeinated specialty during a coffee-rub at the spa or at El Tigre Vestido restaurant; the al fresco dining room is known for its grilled chicken in a tamarind-coffee sauce, as well as other regional dishes.
Indagare Tip: Families spending a night at Finca Rosa Blanca should arrange a tour at the animal sanctuary nearby, which often has baby sloths. Indagare members can contact the Bookings Team to arrange a tour.
Who Should Stay
Travelers who have to spend a night in San José should stay at Finca Rosa. Kids will enjoy a tour of the plantation and a visit to the nearby wildlife sanctuary.
Written by Emma Pierce