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Voykit pocket guide · Costa Rica
Grecia
Spend a half‑day in Grecia to see the red‑steel church and waterfalls; stay one night in budget lodging if you want a quiet base.
Grecia is a small mountain town west of San José with a notable steel church, nearby waterfalls and cheap hostels. One half‑day covers the main sights; add a night for a relaxed pace.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Avoid
- May–Nov (rainy season)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CRC
- Money
- Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₡5,000–7,000 excl. bed (check) · Mid ₡7,000–12,000 excl. bed (check) (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Kölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.
- Emergency
- Police / Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.; Guides: US$5–10 per person per tour.; Shuttle drivers: US$2–5.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bus San José → Grecia | $1.50 |
| Parque Recreativo los Chorros entry | $5 |
| Hostel dorm bed | $12/night |
| Coffee at local café | $2–3 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SJO · Juan Santamaría International Airport
- About 30 km (19 mi) north, 45 min by bus or taxiAbout 19 mi (30 km) north, 45 min by bus or taxi
Typical fares
- Bus San José → Grecia
- about $1.50, 30 min (check)
- Hostel dorm bed
- $12 per night per person
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Buses from San José run every 30 min for about $1.50; walk within town to church and park; taxis available for longer trips.
See and do
Known for
- Iglesia Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes
- Parque Recreativo los Chorros
- Coffee plantations
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Poás Volcano National Park | Bus to Poás town (≈30 min), then local transport | ≈1 h total |
Sleep
- Mangifera Hostel
- $12/night per person, dormitory style, central location
- Hotel Mango Valley
- $63 twin room, quiet outskirts
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis‑kool‑pe |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwan‑toh kwes‑ta |
| Where is the bus stop? | ¿Dónde está la parada del bus?don‑de es‑ta la pa‑ra‑da del bus |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Buenas' and a handshake; cheek kiss among friends; avoid: Skipping the greeting
- Conflict: Stay polite and indirect; avoid: Raised voices
- Time: Be on time for tours; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
- Nature: Stay on trails, keep quiet; avoid: Feeding animals
Scams and watch-outs
- Bus schedules can vary on weekends – check times locally.
- Parque los Chorros has basic restrooms and no food service.
Grecia is generally safe for tourists; keep an eye on personal belongings in crowded areas and use reputable taxis.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Grecia yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Iglesia Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes
- Parque Recreativo los Chorros
- Coffee plantations
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Grecia: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Grecia, revision 5001108 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5001108
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Grecia
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Ambulance911
US consulate in San José; other embassies in San José.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/grecia). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.