San Vito

This pleasant town, 980 meters above sea level, offers respite from the heat of the nearby lowlands. It was founded by immigrants from Italy in the early 1950s. You can still hear Italian spoken and eat Italian food. The steep and winding drive up from Neily is scenic, as is the route from San Jose.

Wilson Botanical Gardens

These attractive and well laid out gardens are six km south (uphill) from San Vito and are well worth a visit. There are thousands of plants displayed in this world-class collection. Short educational trails are named after the plants found along them, such as the Heliconia Loop Trail or the Bromeliad Walk. Birding is excellent. The gardens (Ph- /fax 773-3278, net) are open daily (except December 24 and 25) from 7 am to 5 pm. Admission is US$8 for the day or US$4 a half day. A trail map is provided. The money goes to maintaining the gardens and research facilities. Students with ID can stay in dorms for US$32 including meals. Others pay US$80/130 for private rooms. Some buses to Neily pass the gardens. Otherwise walk or take a taxi (US$2.50).

Places to Stay

Hotel Tropical
Hotel Colono
Cabinas Las Mirlas
Hotel Collina
Cabinas Las Huacas
Albergue Firenze
Hotel El Ceiba