Escazú
7 kms (4;4 miles) South West of downtown San José lies the city of Escazú which has at present over 30,000 inhab. and covers approx. 3,367 hectares of land (13 sq. miles). Being elevated somehow from the capital it is possible to appreciate breathtaking view of the Central Valley. It is one of the most developed areas in the capital city and probably the most residential.
Escazú center is the original town where you'll find charming old adobe houses (bricks are made out of mud), the old church, the town square, and the municipal government building.
Parking is at a premium and a number of narrow, one-way streets can make finding an address a bit of an adventure.
Escazú also offers a great variety of restaurants, bars, discos and malls.
The name Escazú derives from the indigenous word “Itz-kat-zu” (“Resting stone”) due to the fact that in past times Indians used to stop and rest at this location during their trip from Aserrí (South San José) to Pacaca (Puriscal). By 1801 the population of Escazú reached 1,325. On May 28, 1920, the government of Costa Rica granted Escazú the status of City, head of the Canton (County) of Escazú.
Traditions have been kept more than in other Costa Rican areas. In fact it is quite frequent to see farmers using their ox-cart as means of transportation or just parking their horses in front of the local bank or pool-bars.
A few kms South of Escazú is the village of San Antonio where every year in March the “Boyero day”(ox-cart driver´s day) takes place with a parade of oxen and ox-carts that stars in Escazú and ends in front of San Antonio catholic church. Visitors and tourist can also taste several dishes of the typical Costa Rican cuisine.
It is widely known that in Escazú strange things happen. Apparently geophysical forces met on this mountain (where, as locals say, witches live inside a cave that goes right through the entire mountain range) and drew a mysterious image on it. It is exactly for this reason that people believe these mountains have a hidden secret.
In fact by staring at them one can easily see the figure of a young girl. Who is she? She is Zarate “la bruja” (the witch) also known as “la muchacha de la montaña” (the mountain girl). If you want to see her you just have to go to San Jose’s Central Park “La Sabana” and from there look South towards the mountain… you will see a white cross standing on top of it (the cross of Alajuelita).
On its right or West side there’s a radio transmission tower. Now look directly below the tower…. On an open pasture land one can clearly see thesilhouette of Zarate’s head. Just below her head another clearing forms her shoulder and upper arm. A country road marks her outstretched forearm and outlines the girl’s wrist.
Escazú center is the original town where you'll find charming old adobe houses (bricks are made out of mud), the old church, the town square, and the municipal government building.
Parking is at a premium and a number of narrow, one-way streets can make finding an address a bit of an adventure.
Escazú also offers a great variety of restaurants, bars, discos and malls.
Climate:
Moist tropical, windy in November and December.History:
The name Escazú derives from the indigenous word “Itz-kat-zu” (“Resting stone”) due to the fact that in past times Indians used to stop and rest at this location during their trip from Aserrí (South San José) to Pacaca (Puriscal). By 1801 the population of Escazú reached 1,325. On May 28, 1920, the government of Costa Rica granted Escazú the status of City, head of the Canton (County) of Escazú.
Traditions have been kept more than in other Costa Rican areas. In fact it is quite frequent to see farmers using their ox-cart as means of transportation or just parking their horses in front of the local bank or pool-bars.
A few kms South of Escazú is the village of San Antonio where every year in March the “Boyero day”(ox-cart driver´s day) takes place with a parade of oxen and ox-carts that stars in Escazú and ends in front of San Antonio catholic church. Visitors and tourist can also taste several dishes of the typical Costa Rican cuisine.
The legend of Zarate, the witch.
It is widely known that in Escazú strange things happen. Apparently geophysical forces met on this mountain (where, as locals say, witches live inside a cave that goes right through the entire mountain range) and drew a mysterious image on it. It is exactly for this reason that people believe these mountains have a hidden secret.
In fact by staring at them one can easily see the figure of a young girl. Who is she? She is Zarate “la bruja” (the witch) also known as “la muchacha de la montaña” (the mountain girl). If you want to see her you just have to go to San Jose’s Central Park “La Sabana” and from there look South towards the mountain… you will see a white cross standing on top of it (the cross of Alajuelita).
On its right or West side there’s a radio transmission tower. Now look directly below the tower…. On an open pasture land one can clearly see thesilhouette of Zarate’s head. Just below her head another clearing forms her shoulder and upper arm. A country road marks her outstretched forearm and outlines the girl’s wrist.