GRECIA: A TOP CHOICE

Grecia is one of the most sought-after ¨pueblos¨ or towns for expats in Costa Rica. It is located in Alajuela where the perfect climate, impressive views, and world-class amenities attract thousands of locals and expats. This farming and mountain town is a true spectacle!

The Juan Santa María International Airport (SJO) is located only 35 minutes away, while San Jose is approximately 45 minutes away from Grecia. Also, within less than 1 hour you will be enjoying the translucent warm ocean in the closest beaches of the Pacific Coast.

The normal temperature in this town can vary from 82 degrees to the 60’s degrees at night, this chilly climate is due to the elevation of the town. Elevations vary between 3000 – 5000 feet above sea level, providing an impeccable climate all year long. As in most of Costa Rica, it consists of two seasons, 6 months of dry climate and 6 months of rain or green season which keeps the magnificent mountains and views completely green.

Don’t be fooled by its size… Despite having only 76.000 inhabitants, Grecia has everything to live comfortably. Each year more expats and locals opt to move to this magnificent town, this is why it’s a quickly growing community. Throughout the streets, you’ll find several big supermarket chains such as Palí and Perimercados. Restaurants for fine dining or typical food are some of the best in the country, but fast-food like McDonald’s is also an option you could get here. There is a shopping mall called Plaza Grecia with plenty of department stores, cinemas and a food court with a great variety of food to choose from. Amenities in the area also include national and international banks.

During Friday and Saturday mornings, you will be able to get the freshest vegetables and fruits in the Farmer’s Market. This is an event that attracts people from all over the country. Locals have a space to sell their goods like jams, fresh herbs, homemade cheese, ¨chilitos¨, and more. It is also a good option to have breakfast since some people sell the typical ¨tortillas con queso¨ or tortillas filled with cheese, crepes, freshly baked bread and more. Grecia has everything you are looking for.

Real estate in Grecia is highly affordable. Expats tend to choose Grecia for this reason: they can pay less for a living while having quality homes. Big residences have been constructed with amenities like pools, restaurants, parks, multifunctional courts, and more that attracts more and more buyers each time. There are some bed and breakfasts and hotels for tourists that look to spend some time in the beautiful mountains. It’s proximity to the city, the great health care both public and private, the perfect climate and quality homes makes Grecia a top choice for many.

Located on the foothills of the ¨Cordillera Central¨ Grecia is a magnificent place to explore. The wonderful views of the Poas Volcano will draw your attention and convince you to drive one hour up to the National Park to see the impressive crater. On your way, you can stop on La Paz Waterfalls and refugee to explore some of the flora and fauna in the area. A great one day trip that you can enjoy with the entire family, this is an experience that must not be missed!

Nevertheless, local sites in Grecia are very popular and recurrent. Since rivers and streams flow throughout this town, Los Chorros is the main attraction. This is a group of medium and small size waterfalls that create natural pools with clean crystalized water. A great idea for a picnic day!

Another important site is the impressive cathedral ¨Catedral de la Mercedes¨. Located in the center of the town, it magnetizes visitors with its red color assimilating a brick construction. It was built during the 1980’s, with gothic architecture and steel imported from Belgium. The contrast between the red color gothic architecture against the green gardens and mountains create a splendid scenery.

Grecia is a splendid place to live. The ¨ticos¨ lifestyle can be appreciated in each corner and the magnificent nature characteristic of Costa Rica is present with the mountains, rivers, and waterfalls nearby. The convenient location, the great views, quality homes, low cost of living and the world-class amenities makes Grecia a prime choice to live in!