Orosi, Costa Rica: Your Ultimate Orosi Valley Guide

Full of endless rainforests, stunning beaches and picturesque vistas, Costa Rica is a dream for eco-tourism. But the country is no stranger to nature enthusiasts, and it can be difficult to escape the crowds. If you’re looking for somewhere more remote and authentic during your visit, why not head over to the Orosi Valley in Costa Rica? 

We visited the small village of Orosi during our last trip to Costa Rica and thought it was a really quaint, typical Costa Rican town which is still relatively unknown to international tourists.

We spent three days hiking and exploring the surrounding area and national park. It’s a great place for backpackers and holidaymakers who love the outdoors and want to experience the local way of life within the depths of Costa Rica’s mountainscapes.

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Want To Visit Orosi In Costa Rica? Discover Everything You Need To Know In This Ultimate Guide!

In this post, I’ll share our experience visiting Orosi in Costa Rica. I’ll talk about why it’s the perfect place to visit to escape the crowds and things to do in Orosi, which make it a fun and memorable trip.

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Orosi Costa Rica Guide

Before crossing the border into Costa Rica at Panama, Jack and I researched the best places to visit in Costa Rica and found some incredible places. However, and maybe more surprisingly, Orosi didn’t come up on any of those lists! 

It was by total luck that we came across the village in one article and it was such a small mention that we almost missed it! After doing some research we decided to add it to our list too. 

And thank goodness we did, in the end, Orosi was one of our favourite places in Costa Rica. The village itself isn’t stunning (it’s pretty) but the surrounding mountain range is mesmerising as its location is smack bang in the middle of the Orosi Valley.

This means national parks, wildlife and endless hikes at your fingertips. Orosi is quite popular with local tourists and weekend escapees from San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital. However, the weekdays were relatively quiet and we enjoyed having the village and hikes to ourselves!

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Where is Orosi In Costa Rica?

Orosi is a small village about one hour south of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. It’s located in the middle of the country nestled in between the mountain range which separates the Pacific and Caribbean Coasts. 

The village is part of the Cartago province although it’s separated from the main city by fields, farmlands and other villages and of course, national parks; this makes it feel totally isolated from the bigger cities. 

It’s cute, and charming and provides a great back-to-nature experience. 

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How Long Should You Stay In Orosi?

Ultimately, how long you stay in Orosi depends on what you want to do. There are a handful of fun and interesting things to do. 

Jack and I stayed for 4 nights, deciding to extend as we wanted to do more hikes, we had initially planned for three nights. Orosi is actually a great place to relax and waste the days away, especially if you love hiking. 

Morning hikes are the best with afternoon siestas!

For us, 4 nights weren’t enough we could have done with another night although we probably didn’t utilise our time efficiently. We could have stayed longer if only to laze around the hostel and take some morning walks.

If you want to do most of the activities on this list you’ll need around 5-6 nights. 

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Best Things To Do In Orosi, Costa Rica

After spending 4 days in Orosi and doing a lot of exploring, I’ve put together this list of what we think are the top 10 things to do in Orosi!

1. Visit Iglesia Colonial de Orosi/Colonial Church of Orosi

As the name suggests this is a colonial church built in Orosi in the late 1700s. An impressive fact is that it’s the oldest church in Costa Rica which is still in use!

You can find it in the middle of the village just off the main road and it’s free to enter. Although it’s very small, it’s got a picturesque charm with white-washed walls and colourful flowers in the garden. It makes for a pleasant visit.

There is a small museum and gift shop to one side, unfortunately, it was closed when we visited. It’s meant to have religious art and information on the history of the area and church. 

Visiting the Colonial Church of Orosi museum entrance fee is 500 colones for adults and 250 colones for children (6-12). Most of the information will be in Spanish.

2. Explore The Village & Picnic at Pozas de Rio Macho

Loosely translated to the River Macho Wells or Swimming Hole. Leaving from the middle of the village it’s about an hour’s walk through the houses, winding roads and fields of Orosi. You can find its location on the map at the bottom of this list but it’s an easy and enjoyable walk.

Depending on what time of the year you go it’s possible to go swimming at the Pozas de Rio Macho. As we were there during the rainy season the waters were too strong so we couldn’t swim however, we did enjoy a wonderful picnic amongst the trees, boulders and lichen.

3. Hike to Orosi Mirador

So, we did this hike along the roadside and think we might have missed a turning somewhere to reach it from the fields instead of the road. 

Even so, it’s a 2-mile hike mainly uphill and so we got some wonderful views over the fields and of Orosi Valley. It was a challenging uphill hike at times which took us an hour or so to reach the Orosi viewpoint.

Orosi mirador was beautiful with stunning, panorama views of the entire valley. The viewpoint is like a small park with seats and a bbq area, lots of grassy areas to sit and admire the view. 

It’s free to enter, you just need to write your name in the guest book; it’s got toilet facilities and a small car park too. The staff were really helpful and friendly.

4. Relax at Thermales Hacienda Orosi (hot springs)

During our strolls around the village, we came across the advertisement for this hot spring, which looked amazing. So, after we left the swimming hole, we headed towards Thermales Hacienda Orosi.

The walk was nice; we passed over an old steel bridge along a coffee plantation and found some rainbow trees growing brightly amongst the road. We had been wanting to spot some since the start of our trip!

We finally reached the hot springs, excited and in need of a refreshing dip. Unfortunately for us, they were way too expensive! We had failed to realise they were luxury hot springs, and since we were backpacking, it was just something out of our budget…

However, if you’re heading to Orosi on holiday, then I think a day there is going to be magical.

⭐ Pro tip >> For the best day trip to Orosi, this group tour visits the Basilica of the Virgin of Los Angeles before heading to Orosi Valley. Explore the village visit the Mineral Hot Springs of Hacienda Orosi, and enjoy a traditional lunch.

5. Bus to Ruinas de Ujarras

Ruinas de Ujarras is another church, in fact, it’s the first church ever built in Costa Rica and is only a short bus ride from Orosi. It’s a stone church which now sits in ruins; the first settlement having been plagued by floods and disease.

Luckily for us, it’s being looked after well and is another nice place to visit during your stay in Orosi. It’s relatively easy to get to if you have a car but you will need to catch two buses if you’re using public transport. 

The first bus from Orosi to Paraiso you can grab from the main street in Orosi and it will be any bus which passes. The second is a little more tricky but I’ve dropped a pin on the map below showing where the stop is for you. 

Keep in mind our second bus driver forgot to stop so keep your eyes on the map!

6. Visit Lankester Botanic Garden

We love Botanical Gardens and always try to include a visit when we’re travelling. 

Lankester was no exception and made for a great morning. We actually found it super useful as we were able to identify a few plants growing in the national park from our visit to Lankester.

The gardens are 10.7 hectares and were established by Charles Lankester who was an orchid enthusiast. Unsurprisingly, the gardens have a huge and beautiful orchid collection which gives the iconic Singapore Cloud Dome a run for its money!

⭐Pro tip >> If you’re not staying at Orosi and coming from San Jose, it’s possible to take a day trip, which includes Orosi Valley, the Lankester Botanical Gardens, the 18th-century Iglesia de San José de Orosi and colonial churches.

7. Explore Tapanti National Park

The best way to visit the park is on a guided tour, simply because it’s super hard to spot any animals without one. We’ve visited countless national parks and always found the experience to be best with a guide.

We visited the Tapanti National Park on a bird-watching tour which was great fun and we were picked us up from Orosi. We saw all sorts of birds and enjoyed a lovely hike through the park with our guide, Jorge, who was enthusiastic not only about the birds but also about the culture and history of Costa Rica.

It is possible to go alone, the entrance fee is about $10

8. Visit Nano’s Waterfall 

This was a trail we found offered at our hostel, which takes around an hour (although they say only 30 minutes) and is a fun day out, especially if you get to meet Nano. Nano tends to the waterfall and the trails around his property, making them accessible to tourists.

Therefore, there is a small fee of 3,500 Colones to visit the waterfall, but you get Nano as a guide, which is great, and he also shows you around his coffee plantation. His English is not so great, but he makes up for it with his enthusiasm, which, if you like charades, you can make a conversation of sorts!

You can’t swim at the waterfall as it has no pools but it’s refreshing to stand under and wash away the sweat. The hike is awesome if you enjoy hiking more difficult trails and you’ll get to see many types of birds and butterflies. The views are great too, all in all, it’s a fun day out in nature.

You can find details and directions to the hike on the map. Click the Nano’s Waterfall pin.

9. Hike the High Mountain Cross

This is a perfect all-day hike which will take you into the forest and over the mountain, except we didn’t get to do it! 

We met a guy at the hostel who was doing part of this hike every morning and said it was the best thing to get him up and out and that we should go too. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to go as it rained all day on our planned day!

However, I have it on good authority that it’s worthwhile. You can find details and directions to the hike on the map below. Click the High Mountain Cross pin.

10. Explore the Coffee Plantations

Another popular activity around Orosi in Costa Rica is coffee plantation tours. Costa Rica is well known for its coffee production and due to the Orosi Valley’s location the climate is perfect for growing coffee.

By joining a tour you’ll learn first-hand how coffee is produced from bean to brew. You’ll be able to walk around the coffee plantation and pick the red berries before going to the processing plant. Generally, this is one big greenhouse where all the beans a laid out to dry. 

You’ll be able to try the coffee too, which is great as it is so fresh and buy the coffee to take home!

⭐ Pro tip >> There are a few coffee tours to choose from in Orosi; I’ve found the ones with the best reviews for you here:
Coffee Tour Los Sauces (From Orosi)
Britt Coffee Tour (From San Jose)

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Day Trip to Irazu Volcano

This volcano looked stunning; however, neither Jack nor I were able to go due to time. That being said, we really wanted to, and if you’re in Orosi, it will make for an incredible day trip!

Volcanoes are pretty amazing things; we’ve climbed a fair few. The last one we did was Mount Batur in Bali, Indonesia. However, Costa Rica is known for its volcanoes, and Irazu is the biggest and most active volcano in Costa Rica.

⭐ Pro tip >> You could easily arrange a day trip from Orosi. For more information on Irazu, head over to SINAC’s Irazu page, and for booking tours, check out Viator here.

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Orosi Costa Rica Activity Map

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Resources For Central America

• Read this post if it’s your first time visiting Costa Rica and you want to know where the best places to go are.
• We spent our last week in Jaco, a beach town, but is it worth visiting?
• Panama borders Costa Rica and is also a treasure trove; here’s why.
• Colombia is another nearby country we love; discover why Villa de Leyva is our favourite little town.
• Colombia is also filled with famous landmarks you might be interested in visiting.

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Is Orosi Worth Visiting?

We definitely think so! Orosi is worth visiting if you like hiking and quieter holidays. There isn’t much happening in the sense of nightlife (from what we saw) and it isn’t a busy holiday destination.

However, it’s the perfect place for those wanting to escape the crowds and enjoy a holiday in nature and village life and a place to relax to catch up on some much-needed rest.

The fresh air is heaven sent and the local community is friendly and helpful. There are a few market stalls along the high street selling fresh fruit and veg which make for great smoothies – assuming your hotel has a blender!

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When Is The Best Time To Visit Orosi?

The temperature in Orosi rarely falls below 20°C with highs of 27°C.

January, February, November and December are the most popular months to visit; however, this is during the peak season, so it can be busier, especially on weekends. July and August, although in the wet season, see less rain than the other months and can make for a good trip.

We visited in June and did experience rainy days, which meant we missed a few hikes, so if you’re planning on hiking, May, June, September, and October are not good times to go.

• The Wet Season: May to October/ November
• The Dry Season: November to April
• Hottest Month: March and April
• Coldest Month: December

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Getting To Orosi

Orosi in Costa Rica is easy to get to with the valley road leading straight to the charming village. Most people will come from San Jose, that’s how we got to it too, although I’m still certain it’s possible to reach from other destinations via the incredibly efficient bus network.

Most holidaymakers who visit Costa Rica will rent a car which is a great way to explore the country and visit places which are harder to reach and off the beaten track. If your budget allows this I would strongly recommend renting a car.

On the other hand, most backpackers will opt for public transport. The buses and coaches in Costa Rica were fantastic, at least for us, we had no issues and found them to be efficient in getting us to the places we wanted to visit. You can use this site to find timetables.

I mean, it takes a little navigation and I do speak Spanish so it made it easier but people are always ready to help and most locals know where and which buses you need to get to take you where you’re going, so just ask around if you’re not sure!

How To Get To Orosi From San Jose On Bus

We came from San Jose on the bus from Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo is another incredible place to visit in Costa Rica and if you love wildlife they have one of the best and most well-run animal rescue centres in Costa Rica: The Jaguar Rescue Centre. 

So, you will need to catch a few buses depending on where you’re coming from but ultimately the bus will go from San Jose to Cartago to Orosi.

We were dropped off at a bus terminal somewhere in San Jose and had to ask around until we found the correct bus terminal to take us to Cartago. In Cartago, we jumped on a smaller public bus for Orosi. The stops we used are marked on the map.

Prices are to help you budget, but keep in mind they might have changed, so use these as a rough guide.

Orosi Bus Costs From Our Trip (2022)

• San Jose to Cartago: 1,000 Colones 1hour
• Cartago to Orosi: 1,000 Colones 30mins
• Orosi Mirador to Pariso (central parque): 550 Colones
• Pariso to Cachi (to Ruinas de Ujarrás): 450 Colones
• Orosi to Cartago: 700 Colones
• Cartago to San Jose: 630 Colones

We left San Jose for La Fortuna (here’s the info)

• Taxi (to change terminal): 3,000 Colones 15mins 
• San Jose to Quesada: 2,000 Colones 2:30mins 
• Quesada to La Fortuna: 1,000 Colones 2:30min 

If you’re not one for walking around confused it’s possible to hire a private driver to take you to Orosi. 

• 👉 You might find this useful: One-way private transfer from San Jose

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Where To Stay In Orosi Costa Rica?

There are quite a few places to stay in Orosi, ranging from hostels and homestays to hotels. At the moment, there doesn’t seem to be anything too luxurious, but there are some Airbnb options that look nice and worth checking out. 

Search for more hotels in Orosi with Agoda.com today!

Budget-Friendly Suggestion: Montana Linda Hostel

This is the hostel which we stayed in and thought it was great. It’s got a small kitchen and a nice communal area, a few dogs and cats running around and a very bright Caribbean vibe.

Mid-Range Suggestion: Orosi Lodge

Orosi lodge has got some excellent reviews and seems well-managed. The lodge is well-established and sits nicely in the middle of the Orosi village which means it’s close to the restaurants and shops.

Something A Little Nicer: Rinconcito Verde

Rinconcito Verde has had a lot of exceptional reviews, and it looks like it would be a very comfortable stay. The hotel has a pool overlooking Orosi Valley, which is always a win, and it appears they have a great breakfast.

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Where To Eat & Drink In Orosi

One thing that Jack and I are always doing is eating and we found some lovely little places in Orosi. One of the great things about Costa Rica is that the local food is really affordable and filling but in Orosi, there are also some higher-end options to choose from.

You can expect to find traditional meals such as Gallos Pintos – fried beans and rice – which is usually served with fried plantain, grilled meat and coleslaw. Fried chicken is popular and also there’s a great pizza joint!

Below were some of our favourite places to eat in Orosi.

Onde su Agüela Parrilla 100%

This soda was the first place we went to when we arrived. We were cold and wet and needed something warm, the staff were so kind and quickly gave us our coffees before recommending their traditional dish of Gallos Pintos. 

It’s a pretty quirky joint with the art of famous musicians sprawled along the walls. 

The Garage Cafe

We walked past this cafe (which is also an ice cream parlour) on our way to the swimming hole and got pulled in by the lovely smells floating through the air. Freshly baked goods which could have been mistaken for a french bakery were too much to resist. 

​​Monster’s Shake

This is a colourful, creative and fun ice cream parlour with some delicious flavours. Great for a naughty after-dinner treat, they did an awesome oreo milkshake which Jack loved! 

The prices are super affordable and you’ll find the locals like to hang out there too.

Il Giardino – Pizzeria a la leña

Literally down the road from our hostel was this pizzeria which served the best pizza we’d had in a while. I do love pizza and it hit the spot, the simple margarita was delicious paired with a local beer and you’re in for a treat!

Don D Pollo

Fried chicken anyone? Don D Pollo do all sorts of fried chicken, burgers and fries. Quick and easy it’s a good, cheap-eat right in the middle of Orosi. 

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Conclusion: Orosi Costa Rica

As you can probably tell by now we loved Orosi and think it’s somewhere you should visit if you’re heading to Costa Rica. The fact that it’s off the beaten track means the prices are lower than in other areas of Costa Rica making it a great place for budget travellers. 

That being said, it does have some higher-end attractions and accommodations which also makes it a great place for those of you who wish to make the visit more of a holiday than a backpacking trip. 

Either way, there is a lot to do there (even though I’ve read there isn’t?!) and that it’s somewhere we would go again, Jack even said he could live there! It is pretty and if you like nature and hiking then go, go, go.

👉 Read Next: Is Jaco Worth Visiting In 2023? Costa Rica’s Booming Party Town