Escazú encompasses three towns centers, each with their own central plaza and church: San Rafael de Escazú, San Miguel de Escazú, and San Antonio de Escazú. San Rafael de Escazú—which sits at the lowest elevation and is closest to San José—is the busiest and most-visited of the three. It centers on Avenida Escazú, where you’ll find various high-end shops, condominiums, restaurants, offices, a jump-through water fountain, and several sculptures. A little farther away sits San Miguel de Escazú, while the decidedly more rural San Antonio de Escazú is located farther up the slopes.
Most travelers who come to Escazú use the peaceful and tranquil suburb as a base for exploring Costa Rica’s Central Valley, taking day trips to Poas Volcano National Park, Braulio Carrillo National Park, and Irazu Volcano National Park. Some food tours of San José also make stops at restaurants in the area.
Escazú is about 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) west of central San Jose. A taxi will get you there in about 20 minutes. Regular buses and mini-buses run between Escazú and San José, though many tours include hotel pickup.
Visit during the dry season between December and April. During this time, you can expect ample sunshine and comfortable temperatures that hover around 75°F (24°C).
Though there are no big-name sights in Escazú, there are a couple of notable attractions dotted around San Rafael de Escazú. Admire the white colonial-style facade of San Rafael de Escazú Cathedral and visit the Butterfly Kingdom Costa Rica, which offers the chance to stroll amid free-flying butterflies.
