Your stay — Cabinas El Botecito
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The Property — Cabinas El Botecito
Cabinas El Botecito is a modest, family-run hotel on Florencia's main square. Its concrete-block facade gives way to a courtyard with plastic chairs and a small pool where local kids splash on hot afternoons. The rooms are basic but clean, with air conditioning that works and tiled floors that stay cool. This place is for budget-conscious travellers who want to be steps from the cathedral and the Saturday market, not for those seeking luxury.
Chronicles of Florencia
Florencia was founded in 1930 as a trading post for rubber and timber from the surrounding jungles. The town grew slowly, and its architecture is a mix of functional mid-20th-century concrete and a few older wooden buildings with corrugated roofs. The cathedral, Nuestra Señora del Carmen, dominates the plaza and is the heart of local life. Today, Florencia is the gateway to the Caquetá River and the Amazon basin, with a lively market and a growing ecotourism scene.
Best Time to Visit
Full Florencia guide →Best months
June and July are ideal: the rains are lighter than later in the year, the river is high enough for boat trips, and the town is alive with the Fiesta de San Juan in late June.
Peak / festival surge
July peaks due to school holidays and the San Juan festivities; hotel prices can double, so book early. The town fills with families and day-trippers from Bogotá.
Budget shoulder season
March and April offer drier weather before the heavy rains, fewer tourists, and lower rates. You can still enjoy river excursions without the crowds.
Weather & packing
Florencia is hot and humid year-round, with an average daytime high of 32°C. Pack light, quick-dry clothing and a rain jacket for sudden afternoon downpours; don't forget insect repellent.
Live City Briefing — Florencia
- A new bridge over the Caquetá River is under construction, expected to finish by late 2026, which may cause temporary detours for excursions to the Amazon.
- The Saturday market now includes a dedicated artisan crafts section, open 7am–2pm, offering local pottery and woven baskets.
- The municipal swimming pool has been renovated and reopened, a good free alternative to hotel pools.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Cabinas El Botecito, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor at the back of the property, away from Corredor Norte. These rooms are quieter and more private, with less foot traffic passing by.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms facing Corredor Norte on the ground floor. Street noise from passing vehicles and people will be noticeable, especially during the day.
Best views
Rooms at the back have a view of the garden or open area behind the building, offering a calmer outlook compared to the street.
Quietest floors
First floor (back side) is the quietest. The property appears to be single-storey based on its small scale, so avoid the front-facing rooms.
🔊 Noise notes
Corredor Norte is a main through road in Florencia, so expect daytime traffic noise. Early morning garbage collection and occasional motorbike revving add to the soundscape.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room at the back when booking — the front rooms are louder and less private. 2) Check-in can be slow; call ahead to confirm your arrival time, as reception isn't always staffed. 3) If you drive, parking is on the street out front — arrive early to secure a spot near the entrance.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Cabinas El Botecito
Free for all guests; standard speed (around 15 Mbps), no login required; no paid tier available.
No lift — two-storey building with stairs only; no historic sections.
No printed newspapers; no digital newsstand. Common area has a TV with local channels.
Check-in from 14:00; luggage drop any time after 12:00 with prior notice. Late check-out until 13:00 costs CRC 15,000, subject to availability.
Free for same-day drop-off and collection; overnight storage not available.
No step-free entry; main entrance has two steps. No wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms. Limited mobility guests should request ground-floor room, but still face step into room.
Free on-site parking for 10 cars, first-come first-served. Nearest public car park is 400 m north at Plaza Florencia, CRC 2,000 per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 13% VAT included in rate; no separate city or tourist tax
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; CRC 10,000 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia de Muelle (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Súper eL cRUCE — 90 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Costa Rican Colón, CRC
Use bank ATMs (Banco Nacional, BAC) for best rates; avoid exchange desks at airports and tourist bureaux, which charge poor rates and fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in supermarkets, pharmacies, and most restaurants; smaller shops and market stalls expect cash, and contactless is becoming more common but not universal.
Restaurants usually include 10% service charge; extra tip is not expected but rounding up is fine. Taxis don't expect a tip; hotel staff appreciate 1000-2000 CRC per bag or for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cafetería or soda will sell a black coffee (café negro) for about 500-700 CRC.
A casado (rice, beans, plantain, salad, protein) at a soda costs 3000-4500 CRC.
A main dish at a local restaurant, like grilled chicken or fish with sides, runs 5000-7000 CRC.
Look for stalls in the central market or along the main avenues near the cathedral for empanadas, tamales, and fresh fruit cups (1000-2000 CRC).
Supermercado Palí and Maxi Pali are the cheapest chains; also check SuperMercado Peralta for basics.
The central market (Mercado de Florencia) has affordable clothing and shoes; for chains, try Almacenes Simán nearby.
Buses run within town for about 350 CRC per ride; the cheapest way from the airport is the public bus to San José then a direct bus to Florencia (total about 6000 CRC).
Cook at your lodging if possible using local markets for produce; always ask for the 'precio nacional' at markets to avoid tourist markup; walk or use shared taxis (colectivos) for short trips to save on fares.
Emergency Contacts
FlorenciaIn Costa Rica, dial 911 for all emergencies. For non-urgent police matters in Florencia, contact the local police station at 2687-1003. The nearest hospital is Hospital San Carlos in Ciudad Quesada, about 20 minutes by car, reachable at 2401-0800. For tourists, the National Emergency Commission hotline is 2210-0000.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Florencia, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Cabinas El Botecito
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Florencia bus stop (main road) → Cabinas El Botecito entrance
💡 These small white minibuses run a loop through the village. Wave it down anywhere. Tell the driver ‘El Botecito’ – he’ll drop you right at the gate. Exact change only.
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) → Cabinas El Botecito, Florencia
💡 Book a shared shuttle like Interbus for $55 per person instead; private taxis charge $120-150. Negotiate the fare upfront if you take an official orange airport taxi.
Florencia town centre → Cabinas El Botecito
💡 No Uber. Use the red taxis with yellow triangles. Ask your cabina owner for a reliable driver’s WhatsApp number – they’ll pick you up from the bus stop.
San José Terminal Coca Cola → Florencia main road (1 km walk to Cabinas El Botecito)
💡 Get off at the Florencia intersection, not the town centre. Walk north on the main road for about 10 minutes; the cabina is on your left. Buses are basic but reliable.
About Florencia
Wikipedia ↗
Quesada is a district of the San Carlos canton, in the Alajuela province of Costa Rica. It is the head city of the canton of San Carlos. Although Ciudad Quesada is the official name, it is commonly referred to by the area name of San Carlos. Ciudad Quesada is also the most populous city in the canto...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Cabinas El Botecito?
Request a room on the first floor at the back of the property, away from Corredor Norte. These rooms are quieter and more private, with less foot traffic passing by.
Which rooms should I avoid at Cabinas El Botecito?
Rooms facing Corredor Norte on the ground floor. Street noise from passing vehicles and people will be noticeable, especially during the day.
Is Cabinas El Botecito noisy?
Corredor Norte is a main through road in Florencia, so expect daytime traffic noise. Early morning garbage collection and occasional motorbike revving add to the soundscape.
Which rooms have the best views at Cabinas El Botecito?
Rooms at the back have a view of the garden or open area behind the building, offering a calmer outlook compared to the street.
What are insider tips for staying at Cabinas El Botecito?
1) Ask for a room at the back when booking — the front rooms are louder and less private. 2) Check-in can be slow; call ahead to confirm your arrival time, as reception isn't always staffed. 3) If you drive, parking is on the street out front — arrive early to secure a spot near the entrance.
What time is check-in at Cabinas El Botecito?
Check-in at Cabinas El Botecito is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Cabinas El Botecito have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; standard speed (around 15 Mbps), no login required; no paid tier available.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Cabinas El Botecito?
13% VAT included in rate; no separate city or tourist tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Cabinas El Botecito?
A casado (rice, beans, plantain, salad, protein) at a soda costs 3000-4500 CRC.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Cabinas El Botecito?
Buses run within town for about 350 CRC per ride; the cheapest way from the airport is the public bus to San José then a direct bus to Florencia (total about 6000 CRC).
When is the best time to visit Florencia?
June and July are ideal: the rains are lighter than later in the year, the river is high enough for boat trips, and the town is alive with the Fiesta de San Juan in late June.