Home stays
Home stays and cultural experiences are two of the major components of our
business. Working with a large number of local families as we do, we’re able
to offer you the chance to live in a traditional rural setting that differs
dramatically from a hotel or hostel. Living with a local family, or
homestaying, offers you the chance to develop meaningful relationships with
local people, practice and learn Spanish and gain new perspectives. because
every family is different, we recommend you fill out the form provided (send us an email for the form)
so that we can pair you with the family that most matches your needs.
Below are just a few of the home stays on offer. All come as a general
package that includes three meals a day meals and a once a week washing
service.
Elian's Family House:
The perfect Traditional Tarrazu Family farm.
This old coffee farm is situated above in the hills above San Marcos, close
enough to walk to but far enough away as to offer a sense of privacy. The
complex consists of a main house and secluded guest quarters, as well as
stunning gardens and acres of coffee fields.
The Robles family who live and work at the farm have do so for many
generations and their hard work is evident in the well maintained facilities
and beautifully kept fields. “Mama” is an excellent cook who’s only too
happy to share her insights about local culture and customs, while Calin and
Elian can take the more adventurous into the fields and put them to work in
the everyday running of a Costa Rican coffee farm. Above all, it’s the
families’ traditional sense of openness and hospitality that makes them
renowned hosts.
Although we are in the mountains there is always a lot to do at Elians.
Guests wanting to learn Spanish will find that the whole 
family can talk for
hours and Elian takes great delight in leading trips to hidden hotsprings,
roaring waterfalls and secluded valleys.
Though the house is ideal for those wanting a getaway or immersive cultural
experience we can also accommodate a group or family holiday. It can sleep
6-7 people in 2 double and 2 single rooms as well as a single futon, if
required. It has a fully equipped self catering kitchen but breakfast and
catering can also be arranged as an optional extra.
Diego's Family House:
Conveniently located near Downtown San Marcos, Diego's Family house is a
very comfortable and cozy log home set in a very secluded coffee farm. Built
almost entirely by Diego, the cabin is Just 300 meters away from the
outskirts of the town and a easy walking distance to the shops. The house is
surrounded by Coffee trees and grassland and is part of the DON EVELIO
Tarrazu coffee export operation, famous for its superb gourmet Arabica
coffee. The neighborhood is home to small children and is therefore full of
animals, including horses, cattle, poultry, and dogs. The family consists of
Diego, who takes care of the farm and helps with the coffee processing, and
his wife Heidy and daugther Daniela.
The room is ample and has all the major mod-cons: hot water, a 
small
refrigerator, cable tv, a private bathroom and separate access from the rest
of the house. Don't be surprised to be woken up by tropical birds or the
family members doing farm activities such as feeding the cattle or preparing
to work in the fields. Last but not least, the view from the porch of the
entire Tarrazu highland valley is outstanding.
Rosario's Family House:
Located in downtown San Marcos, this house offers you a family experience
you will never forget. Rosario is a nurse who works at the local Hospital.
She is the mother of three children, Maria, (25) , Abel, (15), and
Francisco, (23), and the grandmother of little Helena, Maria's daughter.
Abel is in high school so you will find him always busy with homework and
playing the guitar. Maria is a student and soon to graduate. She is always
taking care of her daughter who is the cutest little girl in town. Francisco
works in San Jose at a Bank. He graduated from college last year so he is
away most of the time. Relatives live nearby so don't be surprised if you
are invited to visit them regularly. This offers plenty of opportunities for
cultural exchange and Spanish learning. Being so close to downtown you will
have a unique chance to experience the city life without having to sacrifice
nothing.
Living in central San Marcos you will enjoy a unique and semi-urban
lifestyle compared with the other home-stays on offer. You will have access
to local restaurants, Pizza Parlors, supermarkets, drugstores and access to
the social activities the town offers every weekend such as religious
activitities, fairs and festivals and much more. This is the perfect place
to chill out and experience rural Costa Rica without overstepping your
comfort zones.
Volunteering is available
Gustavo's Family House:
A 25 minute drive from Downtown San Marcos brings you to this superb and
secluded place.
Perched in the mountains up north the valley, this farm
offers you the ultimate privacy you are looking for. The cabin is amid an
avocado plantation with breathtaking views of the entire valley down below.
Coffee farms and small villages can be seen far down the mountain and five
minutes walk will bring you to virgin cloud forest.
Gustavo and his wife will happily explain to you how an Avocado farm is run.
Also, he can take you up to the cloud forest via a
winding path where you
can watch birds that thrive in the cloud forests. The walk is just amazing
and finishes at a unique highland lake surrounded by pine trees. You can
stay there for days reading on the cabin's balcony or walking through the
amazing cloud forest and sitting next to the quiet and peaceful shore of the
Quebradillas lake.
Additional Activities:
Though many of the activities provided by your home-stay will be free we
also have several others for a reasonable sum. Depending on when you come it is
often recommendable to book ahead.
Horse Riding:
We are partners with several small stables and depending on the season can
offer trips up through the coffee plantation and cloud forest that suit
every skill level. Our horses are well looked after and are usually employed
on the coastal ranches.
Day Trips:
Some of the most spectacular views in Costa Rica are to be found in the
mountains above our valley, as are some spectacular microclimates of cloud
and deciduous forest. We offer hikes to these areas with a trained guide.
Over night excursion:
For those travelers that want to have a full detox from society and most
creature comforts we operate a base camp high in the mountains where you’ll
be able to relax and get away from it all for a day or more. You’ll be able
to stay in a hammock in our cabin, cook your own food and explore the
jungle.
Take a breathtakingly beautiful walk through Tarrazu - Quepos Coast.
The Jurassic Trail - Tarrazu Quepos Mountains experience offers what no other walk
does. A scenic hike to Tarrazu - Quepos Coast. Biking
offers you incredible views up the Jurassic Trail Valley, over El Pito Mountain to the Quepos plains, including Quepos-Tarrazu's highest peak
Mt Vueltas and along the river valley.
