Imagine a quaint village surrounded by rolling hills laden with coffee plants: this is Naranjo, a small town (population: 35,000) just 30 miles from the capital city of San Jose.
Situated in Costa Rica's Central Valley, Naranjo sits 3,400 feet above sea level and enjoys mild temperatures (70º F average) year-round. Naranjo is more than just a coffee town: four major rivers drain into the region, yielding some of the Central Valley's most fertile land. In fact, the town earned its name, which means "orange tree," from the citrus groves decorating the countryside. Downtown Naranjo is quaint with basic amenities; you'll find several grocery stores, pharmacies, gyms, a central market, public park, and clothing stores in the town's center. Public transportation is reliable, and buses depart for San Jose, Alajuela, San Ramon, Sarchí and other nearby towns every 20-60 minutes. Residents have access to most major amenities, like high-speed Internet and cable television. For specialized services or nightlife, San Jose is just a short car or bus ride away.
Fill your daytime hours with outdoor explorations of Naranjo and its surroundings. Go shopping for handmade furniture and crafts in Sarchí, meander through Zarcero's famous topiaries, or rappel down Grecia's Los Chorros Waterfalls. Both Penas Blancas Wildlife Refuge and Juan Castro Blanco National Park are nearby, and local hiking trails reach as far as the Pacific town of Jaco.
Naranjo expats have access to medical care through the Caja's local clinic, and Central Valley hospitals in San Ramon, Alajuela and San Jose. CIMA Hospital, a state-of-the-art private medical center, is just 30 minutes away by car. For those with young children, there are several private schools in the area, including the bilingual Colegio Bilingue San Ramon, SunLight School (San Ramon), Green Valley School (Atenas), and the Colegio Bilingue San Agustin (Palmares).
Naranjo Hills will put a spell on you! So let yourself be enchanted!