Costa Rica Homestays is a low cost cross cultural vacation alternative. It is similar to a traditional bed and breakfast, but differs in cost, services, and accommodations. Because we select guest rooms in middle class Costa Rican homes, we can offer a private comfortable room in a variety of Homestay locations in Palmares, San Ramon, Santa Ana, and Perez Zeledon at much lower rates than of a typical bed and breakfast. Costa Rica Homestays aslo provides the opportunity to enter and experience the culture, customs, and traditions of our Latin American neighbors.
Costa Rica Homestays are best suited for independent travelers, college students, and students of life. Travelers can select the best option, and check on their availability from our host family listing located on our “Host Families Page”. If meeting new people, learning Spanish, and a true cross cultural experience are your goals, then Costa Rica Homestays will provide you with all that and more. Lodging with a Costa Rica Homestays' family will also give you the opportunity to practice your Spanish in a friendly and supportive family environment.Our Mission
Costa Rica Homestays was founded to offer an alternative to traditional tourism that will provide you the opportunity to see and experience so much more than what a vacation package including hotel and guided tours can offer. You will become enmeshed in the culture, values, traditions, and everyday life of Costa Ricans by becoming part of their family. A Costa Rica home stay will provide an informal classroom to learn or improve your Spanish. Your presence in the family will also enrich your host family by giving them the opportunity to improve their English and learn something about your culture and customs. An all inclusive Costa Rica home stay is an excellent and economical option for a short or long term vacation experience that will also provide a home base for your day or weekend trips to see and experience the beauty and richness of this enchanting country.
About Costa Rica
Costa Rica really has it all, it's considered one of the happiest places in the world. It features some of the most amazing volcanoes, lush rainforests, beautiful beaches on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts as well as an abundance of flora and fauna. Costa Ricans, Ticos, are very civic minded, and very proud of their long standing Democracy. Costa Rica is ranked as one of the safest countries in Latin America. The Central Valley extends from the western town of San Ramon in Alajuela to the eastern town of Paraiso in Cartago. To the north, it is bordered by the Heredia Mountains, where the Barva and the Irazu Volcanoes are located, and to the south is bordered by the Talamanca mountain range. The Central Valley is the union of Costa Rica’s principal cities; San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela and Cartago. San Ramon and Palmares are located in the western end of the Central Valley, whereas Santa Ana is located just 10 miles west of San Jose. More than half of the population lives and works in the Central Valley. The climate in the Central Valley is lovely year round. Temperatures average about 73 degrees throughout the year and there are two seasons, the dry season which runs from December through mid May, and the rainy season which runs from mid May through November. The dry season is cool and breezy because of the prevailing trade winds, and the rainy season is generally warmer with sunny mornings leading into mid afternoon to early evening rains. It doesn´t rain everyday in the rainy season, and there are three “little summers” that are periods of one to two weeks of dry weather within the rainy season. These usually occur for two weeks in mid June, one week in early August and another in early September.
"Experience the Culture and Language from Within"
Palmares, Alajuela
Palmares, Alajuela: Is located in the western part of the Central Valley about 30 miles from San Jose. Coffee plantations and orchid gardens surround the local countryside. A surprisingly vibrant local center of commerce covers about a nine square block area. At the center is the “Mercado Central”, a maze of stalls selling essential clothing, shoes, wares, butcher shops, fresh fruits and vegetables, and small eateries, is a world in itself. Across the street is the “Parque Central”, where two toed sloths live in the trees, well cared for dogs lie lazily along the bench lined walkways that lead to the Catholic Church at the eastern end of the center of town. Puppet shows for children or a local marimba band might be a weekend attraction commonly seen in the park. Bakeries, supermarkets, banks, boutiques, hardware stores, pharmacies and even internet cafes complete the central landscape. The town motto of Palmares is “The Place to Make Friends”, and it truly is. Your home stay family could be just a five or ten minute walk from the center of Palmares.
San Ramon, Alajuela
San Ramon, Alajuela: Is the second largest city in the province of Alajuela. It’s located about 35 miles from San Jose at the westernmost end of the Central Valley. The city of San Ramon is an important commercial center supporting farming communities in the region. Coffee, sugar cane, and ornamental plants are the principal agricultural activities in the area. San Ramon is also home to the University of Costa Rica’s western campus. The center of town is a bustling mini-metropolis that offers everything you’d find in San Jose. There’s even a mall with cinemas and a food court located at the edge of town. Arenal Volcano is located just an hour and a half away, and can be visited on a day trip. There are also many tourist attractions located in the greater San Ramon area.
Santa Ana, San Jose
Santa Ana, San Jose: Is a lovely town located just 6 miles west of San Jose. It's a quick bus or taxi ride to Escazu and San Jose. Malls, movie theaters, and restaurants contrast with small town shops where artisans offer their creations in an ambience that mirrors the old time family values of the Santa Ana community. The hills surrounding Santa Ana are rife with a variety of citrus and mango trees as well as small vegetable farms that supply the area towns and communities with fresh fruit and vegetables. Onions are also widely cultivated throughout the area and are sold throughout the country. Santa Ana is an oasis of Costa Rican culture and tradition located close to but a world apart from the more modern Costa Rica located just down the highway.
Perez Zeledon, San Jose
Perez Zeledon, San Isidro de El General, San Jose: Is also affectionately referred to by locals as Perez Zeledon. This is the largest city in the southern zone of Costa Rica. Perez Zeledon is located in the province of San Jose, in the Valley of the General, surrounded by the Talamanca Mountains. Mainly an agricultural and trade center, many tourists utilize San Isidro de General as a stopping point when traveling between San Jose and other Northern Costa Rica destinations and Southern Costa Rica destinations such as Dominical, Uvita, Golfito, Puerto Jimezez, and the Osa Peninsula. Perez Zeledon is also a great town to prepare for treks to Cerro Chirripo, which is Costa Rica's highest peak and most challenging climb.
Biography
Stephen Beaudreau-General Manager
Originally from Worcester, Mass., Steve moved to Costa Rica in 1985. He taught English to Costa Ricans who were awarded scholarships to study in the U.S. under the Central American Peace for scholarships (C.A.P.S) program under the auspices of The Agency for International Development from 1986 to 1991. He also taught at the Costa Rican Ministries of Aviation, Education, and Security as well as for private sector businesses. He was also part of the management team at one of Costa Rica´s foremost Spanish language schools, Centro Linguistico Conversa from 1991 to 2009. Steve started Costa Rica Homestays to promote cultural understanding and to provide a low cost vacation alternative which would benefit the local economy more directly than traditional tourism. Steve will always be on hand to assure that your homestay is a pleasant, comfortable and rewarding experience. Pura Vida...
Address: 100 metros al norte y 200 al oeste de la iglesia de rincon de Zaragoza
Palmares, alajuela, Costa Rica
Tel: Costa Rica (506)2453-3119
Email: info@costaricahomestays.net
Website: www.costaricahomestays.net
Blog: http://costaricahomestays.wordpress.com/
