Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid May–Nov (rainy season)
- Airport
- SJO
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Grecia911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Grecia, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.Costa Rica-wide
- SIM or eSIMKölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.Costa Rica-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.Costa Rica-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.Costa Rica-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Costa Rica-wide
- SafetyGrecia is generally safe for tourists; keep an eye on personal belongings in crowded areas and use reputable taxis.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police / ambulance · 911 fire
- Sundays & holidayscheckManuel Antonio closes on Tuesdays (check); Semana Santa Thursday–Friday shuts most businesses.Costa Rica-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSJO Juan Santamaría International Airport (About 30 km (19 mi) north, 45 min by bus or taxi).SJO Juan Santamaría International Airport (About 19 mi (30 km) north, 45 min by bus or taxi).
- Getting aroundBuses from San José run every 30 min for about $1.50; walk within town to church and park; taxis available for longer trips.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at local café$2–3
- Museum or sight ticketParque Recreativo los Chorros entry$5
- Budget bedMangifera Hostel dorm, a night, per personCRC 12
- Mid-range bedHotel Mango Valley twin, a night, per roomCRC 80
- High-end bedHotel Mango Valley twin, a night, per roomCRC 110
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CRC 5,000 · Mid CRC 9,000 · High CRC 15,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SJO Juan Santamaría International Airport (About 30 km (19 mi) north, 45 min by bus or taxi)SJO Juan Santamaría International Airport (About 19 mi (30 km) north, 45 min by bus or taxi)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Grecia: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting 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.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Poás Volcano National Park
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Bus to Poás town (≈30 min), then local transport
Popular for sunrise hikes; bring rain gear.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mangifera Hostel
$12/night per person, dormitory style, central location
Hotel Mango Valley
$63 twin room, quiet outskirts
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₡5,000–7,000 excl. bed (check)
- Mid
- ₡7,000–12,000 excl. bed (check)
Trip budget
| Mangifera Hostel dorm1 × 1 night × CRC 10 | CRC 10 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CRC 5,000 | CRC 5,000 |
| Bus San José → Grecia round‑trip1 × CRC 0 · check | CRC 0 |
| Park los Chorros entry1 × CRC 10 · check | CRC 10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CRC 500 |
| Trip total≈ CRC 5,520 per person per day, bed included | CRC 5,520 |
USD per night per person
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bus San José → Grecia | $1.50 |
| Parque Recreativo los Chorros entry | $5 |
| Hostel dorm bed | $12/night |
| Coffee at local café | $2–3 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus schedules can vary on weekends – check times locally.
- Parque los Chorros has basic restrooms and no food service.
Emergency numbers
- Police / Ambulance
- 911
- Fire
- 911
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
GreciaGrecia
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Ambulance911
Embassy
US consulate in San José; other embassies in San José.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus San José → Grecia: about $1.50, 30 min (check)
- Hostel dorm bed: $12 per night per person
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis‑kool‑pe)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwan‑toh kwes‑ta)
- ¿Dónde está la parada del bus? — Where is the bus stop? (don‑de es‑ta la pa‑ra‑da del bus)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Grecia. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr · avoid May–Nov (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Grecia
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