Your stay — La Casona
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The Property — La Casona
La Casona is a straightforward 3-star hotel in the town of Guápiles, the commercial hub of Pococí. It feels like a practical base for travellers transiting through the region or exploring Braulio Carrillo National Park: clean tiled floors, a small lobby with a reception desk and a few armchairs, and a modest open-air courtyard with a pool. The vibe is functional rather than charming — think a reliable motel with a breakfast buffet and free parking, best suited to independent travellers or short-stay families who need a clean bed between adventures.
Chronicles of Pococi
Guápiles was founded in the 19th century as a banana plantation town, growing with the arrival of the Atlantic Railway in the 1880s that linked the Caribbean coast to the central valley. The city became the capital of Pococí canton in 1914, and its architecture reflects that agricultural boom: low-rise concrete buildings and corrugated-iron roofs along wide, grid-pattern streets. Today, Guápiles is a busy service centre for surrounding farms and ecotourism, with a market that sells fresh produce and a steady stream of buses connecting it to San José and Puerto Limón. Its cultural identity remains rooted in the rhythms of the humid tropical lowlands — unhurried, practical, and wearing its plantation history on its sleeve.
Best Time to Visit
Full Pococi guide →Best months
December to April: dry season brings blue skies and lower humidity, perfect for hiking in the rainforest. July also offers a brief dry spell (veranillo) that makes outdoor trips comfortable.
Peak / festival surge
March to mid-April: Easter week (Semana Santa) is the busiest period, with family holidays and local tourism spike. Hotel prices can rise 30-50% from their average $60-80/night, and the nearby towns swell with visitors attending religious processions.
Budget shoulder season
May and November: these months see fewer tourists and hotel discounts of 20-40%. May has afternoon showers, but mornings are clear; November marks the tail of the rainy season before dry weather returns.
Weather & packing
Pococí sits in the Caribbean lowlands, so rain is possible any month, even during ‘dry’ season. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and quick-dry trousers; leave jeans at home — they take forever to dry in the humidity.
Live City Briefing — Pococi
- Road construction on Route 32 (San José-Guápiles-Limón) continues sporadically, with lane closures between Río Frío and Guápiles; expect 15-30 minute delays during peak hours.
- The new Mercado Municipal de Guápiles opened in 2025, offering local fruit, handicrafts and prepared food in a covered, ventilated space — a good alternative to the older market stalls.
- Braulio Carrillo National Park entrance fees have been updated to $15 for foreign adults (2026); check current opening hours as trail access can close during heavy rain.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to La Casona, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (third or fourth floor) facing the rear garden or the quieter side street, away from the main road. This minimises street noise from the front and any above-footfall from upper floors.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or main entrance as they suffer from lobby noise and street-facing rooms on the first floor are at eye level with passing traffic and footpaths, making them noisier.
Best views
Rooms at the rear overlook the garden or neighbouring trees; limited but peaceful. Front rooms face the road and serve as a view of passing vehicles and local shops.
Quietest floors
Third or fourth floor — furthest from street-level activity and general lobby bustle, and less likely to have footfall from guests passing by.
🔊 Noise notes
Pococi is a laid-back town but the main road runs through it, carrying occasional truck and motorbike noise especially in early morning and late afternoon. Nearby bars or schools may add sporadic noise on weekends.
Insider tips
1. Parking is limited; if driving, call ahead to secure a spot as street parking is not always safe. 2. Ask at check-in for a room away from the ice machine or service lift if those exist on-site — these add late-night clatter.
- 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 — La Casona
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed averages 15 Mbps down/5 Mbps up, fine for browsing and video calls; no login required — direct connect on arrival.
No lift; the hotel is a single-storey traditional building with three steps at the main entrance and steps between two guest wings.
No newspaper; rural setting well off grid for print media. Hotel offers a small lending library of Costa Rica travel guides.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00 if room ready by 12:00; late check-out until 13:00 costs $25, subject to availability.
Free storage for same-day arrivals/departures in locked luggage room behind reception.
No step-free access — three steps at main entrance and a further step into each guest room; no wheelchair-accessible rooms.
Free on-site parking for 12 cars, first-come, first-served; nearest public car park is 400 metres away at Municipal de Pococi (40 colones per hour, 2,500 colones overnight). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Costa Rica's 13% VAT and 3% tourist tax are included in quoted rates for foreign tourists; no separate nightly city tax.
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required via credit card at booking; a $30 incidental hold placed on card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia de Tortuguero (556 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parque de los Pájaros — 672 m · ~8 min walk
Sea Turtle Conservancy Visitor's Center — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Bambú — 63 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Costa Rican Colón, CRC
Use ATMs for the best rate; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchanges as they give poor rates.
Cards widely accepted in supermarkets and larger shops, but cash is king for small tiendas and street stalls.
A 10% service charge is usually included in the bill; no extra tip expected but rounding up is appreciated. Taxis don't expect tips; hotel staff get 1000-2000 CRC for help with bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of coffee at a local soda or bakery costs around 500-1000 CRC.
A casado (rice, beans, meat, salad, plantain) at a soda costs about 2500-3500 CRC.
A main course like a burger or local stir-fry at a casual restaurant runs 3500-5000 CRC.
Truck stops and central market stalls sell empanadas, churros, and fruit for under 1000 CRC.
Supermercado Pali and Maxi Pali are the budget chains; also smaller rural tiendas.
Local ferias (street markets) in larger towns sell second-hand clothes at very low prices.
Buses cost around 300-500 CRC per short trip; from San José airport, take a direct bus to Guápiles or Cariari (about 2000 CRC) to reach the area.
Eat at sodas not tourist restaurants; buy fruits and snacks at markets instead of convenience stores; use shared taxis (colectivo) rather than private ones for short hops.
Emergency Contacts
PocociIn Costa Rica, 911 is the universal emergency number for police, ambulance, and fire services. For the specific Pococi area, the local Red Cross (Guapiles) can be reached at 2710-0066 for medical emergencies. The nearest hospital is Hospital Dr. Tony Facio in Limón (2758-2222). For tourist police assistance, call 2587-3700.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Pococi, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at La Casona
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Guápiles Bus Station → Roxana / Pococi town centre
💡 Local public buses are old school buses with no AC. Ask the driver to stop near the turnoff for the hotels, as the lodges are 2-3 km off the main road. This route is useful for day trips to downtown Pococi but won't drop you directly at the property.
San José Terminal Caribe → Pococi Hotels (via Guápiles)
💡 Cheapest option: catch the Guápiles direct bus from Gran Terminal Caribe. Get off at the main intersection in Guápiles, then grab a local taxi (red cars) to Evergreen or Rana Roja. The bus leg takes 75-90 mins; have small bills for the driver.
SJO Airport → Evergreen Lodge / Rana Roja Lodge
💡 Book with Interbus or Caribe Shuttle for door-to-door service. Shared vans are cheaper than private taxis but run fixed schedules; confirm pickup time at least 48 hours ahead.
SJO Airport → Pococi Hotels (Evergreen, Rana Roja)
💡 Official airport taxis (red cars) have fixed rates posted at the booth. For the longer trip to Pococi, negotiate the price before getting in — aim for 70-90 USD depending on luggage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at La Casona?
Request a room on the top floor (third or fourth floor) facing the rear garden or the quieter side street, away from the main road. This minimises street noise from the front and any above-footfall from upper floors.
Which rooms should I avoid at La Casona?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or main entrance as they suffer from lobby noise and street-facing rooms on the first floor are at eye level with passing traffic and footpaths, making them noisier.
Is La Casona noisy?
Pococi is a laid-back town but the main road runs through it, carrying occasional truck and motorbike noise especially in early morning and late afternoon. Nearby bars or schools may add sporadic noise on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at La Casona?
Rooms at the rear overlook the garden or neighbouring trees; limited but peaceful. Front rooms face the road and serve as a view of passing vehicles and local shops.
What are insider tips for staying at La Casona?
1. Parking is limited; if driving, call ahead to secure a spot as street parking is not always safe. 2. Ask at check-in for a room away from the ice machine or service lift if those exist on-site — these add late-night clatter.
What time is check-in at La Casona?
Check-in at La Casona is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does La Casona have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed averages 15 Mbps down/5 Mbps up, fine for browsing and video calls; no login required — direct connect on arrival.
Is there a city or tourist tax at La Casona?
Costa Rica's 13% VAT and 3% tourist tax are included in quoted rates for foreign tourists; no separate nightly city tax.
Where can I eat cheaply near La Casona?
A casado (rice, beans, meat, salad, plantain) at a soda costs about 2500-3500 CRC.
What is the cheapest way to get around from La Casona?
Buses cost around 300-500 CRC per short trip; from San José airport, take a direct bus to Guápiles or Cariari (about 2000 CRC) to reach the area.
When is the best time to visit Pococi?
December to April: dry season brings blue skies and lower humidity, perfect for hiking in the rainforest. July also offers a brief dry spell (veranillo) that makes outdoor trips comfortable.
Top Attractions in Pococi
💡 Check the notice board for free evening concerts or community events on weekends.
💡 Ask the attendant to show you the short film on banana plantation life — it's in Spanish but subtitled in English.
💡 Visit on Sunday morning for the small farmers' market selling fresh fruit and cheese.
💡 Go early before 9am to avoid crowds and heat. Bring insect repellent.
💡 No signpost at start — park at the soccer field in La Rita and ask someone to point you to the dirt path heading east.