Atenas
A stroll through the immaculate, palm-lined Parque Central or lunch at one of the many “tipico” small cafes serving local food in town awaits visitors to Atenas. Located on the Central Valley’s western edge, Atenas is a slice of quintessential small town Costa Rican life. With just 5,000 inhabitants (17,000 including the suburbs), Atenas is famous for having one of the best climates in the world, according to National Geographic. The words “El Mejor Clima del Mundo” are emblazoned on every Atenas bus; a valid claim as daily temperatures hover around 80 degrees and dip into the 60s at night.
Green and fertile with rolling hills, Atenas is a flourishing agricultural region known for its animal husbandry, coffee and sugar production and fruit orchards. It is a typical blue-collar working town, where townspeople are on a Catholic Church first-name basis and jovially greet each other in passing. Daily life is focused on family and rooted in tradition, such as the Friday Farmers Market where fresh produce, flowers and meats can be purchased from local growers or Saturday Bingo games next to the church.
The heart of Atenas is Parque Central, a peaceful spot perfect for enjoying an ice cream or coffee or simply taking in the local life. In the late afternoon, flocks of green parrots and the occasional toucan make their presence known in the palm trees above. Several cafes and restaurants line the park and serve delicious and inexpensive Costa Rican cuisine. The central market, a block southwest of the park, is bustling with vendors selling everything from fresh fruits and cheeses to shoes and jewelry.
