If you're staying at Mangífera Hostel in Grecia, Bajos del Toro is a destination you shouldn't miss. This small mountain community is only about 45 minutes by car from Grecia and is surrounded by spectacular waterfalls, rivers and natural pools. One of the best things about Bajos del Toro is that it feels very different from Costa Rica's more touristy destinations. The area is known for its lush mountain landscapes, waterfalls and cool climate, making it a great day trip from

Volcán Poás (2697) is an active volcano with one of the biggest craters in the world! It has a diameter of 1,3 kilometres and a depth of 300 meters. Within the crater, there is a lake with a diameter of 400 meters and a depth of 14 meters. Volcán Poás is part of the Cordillera Volcánica Central, a volcanic mountain range that stretches over 80 kilometres through Central Costa Rica. Other volcanos like the Volcán Barba, Volcán Irazú and Volcán Turrialba are also part of this ‘

Just a 15-minute bus ride from the center of Grecia, Sarchí is best known for its traditional handcrafted oxcarts (carretas) and colorful artisan workshops. But there is more to Sarchí than its famous carretas. The Else Kientzler Botanical Garden, the town's distinctive church, local handicrafts and beautiful mountain views make Sarchí a worthwhile day trip from Grecia. In this guide, we share some of the best things to see and do in Sarchí Costa Rica, including how to get th

Los Chorros waterfalls are a must visit when you stay with us in Grecia! This place, where two waterfalls of about 50 meters high tumble down, guarantees a great adventure in nature. Important notes: Please leave your valuables (passport, credit / debit cards) at the hostel, don't bring big amounts of money and don't go alone. Unfortunately, we know about cases that people got robbed at Los Chorros. At the entry of Los Chorros Waterfalls, you'll see a sign that says that the

Join this local guided night walk through the jungle and discover the treasures that the Central Valley of Costa Rica has to offer. Observe frogs, snakes, lizards, insects and more. Best part of this local tour is the local price: $55 for a group of 2 and $50 for a group of 3 people or more! Contact us through Whatsapp to arrange this tour: +506 2494 6065 Or request our tour catalogue for more tour options.

We normally have mixed feelings about zoos, because we believe it is much nicer to see wildlife where it belongs: in the wild. However, our experience at Zoo Ave in Costa Rica was different. Zoo Ave is an animal rescue and rehabilitation center where visitors can see a variety of Costa Rican wildlife. The animals that are on display are there because they cannot be returned to the wild, for example because of permanent injuries, or because they are undergoing rehabilitation w

On Google Maps, you can clearly see that there are a lot of small roads North of Grecia. These roads are all more or less perpendicular lines from South West to North East. Once on these roads, you’ll notice that they are all quite steep, since they’re located on the slopes of Volcán Poás. The elevation difference between the ‘valley’ where Grecia is located (about 1000 meters above sea level) and the top of Volcán Poás (2708 meters above sea level) is about 1700 meters! So,

Grecia, the town where Mangífera hostel is located, is a small but vibrant town on the foothill of Volcán Poás. Grecia offers literally every facility you need to make you feel at home. From shops to markets to DIY stores, from a cinema, a swimming pool and a colourful park to a big variety of restaurants and cafes. Grecia has more to offer though. If you want to get to know life in Grecia in an authentic way, we highly recommend you to take a hike through the surroundings of

Are you that type of person that rather enjoys to roam around the non-touristic, cheaper and hidden magical places? Then the 'national park of water' Juan Castro Blanco is definitely your destination! Being just 1,5 hour away by car or Uber, makes this hidden gem perfect material for day trip from Mangífera Hostel, Grecia. In this blog you read about: Visit Juan Castro Blanco through Montaña Sagrada (Pozo azúl) Visit Juan Castro Blanco through San Vicente Hideaway (waterfalls

Looking for a spectacular view? At about a one hour drive from Mangífera Hostel, there’s the place to be: Cerro Tinajitas. This ‘cerro’ or hilltop offers an impressive panorama over the peninsula of Puntarenas and the Golf of Nicoya. The hills surrounding Cerro Tinajitas are covered with farmlands that paint geometric forms over the landscape. A magnificent spot to take some memorable pictures! In the picture below, you can see the Golf of Nicoya and the Nicoya Peninsula in t

Something every traveller is searching for in Costa Rica: FREE and fun waterfalls! Cataratas las Minas del Aguacate is a fabulous, hidden pit stop when heading towards the West-Coast of Costa Rica. This hidden jam is located on a small side road of the main road between Atenas and San Mateo / Orotina. A visit to these waterfalls can be a perfect part of an adventurous day trip from Mangífera Hostel to Playa Blanca, a paradisical white sand, snorkel and palm beach just a coupl