Your stay — Cabinas Los Almendros
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The Property — Cabinas Los Almendros
Cabinas Los Almendros is a straightforward, family-run lodge in San Rafael, with a concrete courtyard shaded by an old almond tree that gives the place its name. The rooms are basic but spotless, the vibe is quiet and functional rather than atmospheric, and it suits budget-conscious travellers who want a reliable base for exploring the cloud forest and nearby La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Standing in the lobby, you smell coffee from the communal pot and hear the rustle of toucans in the garden—it’s unpretentious, honest, and a refreshing break from glitzy eco-resorts.
Chronicles of San Rafael
San Rafael began as a coffee-growing settlement in the 19th century, part of the expansion into the fertile Central Valley foothills. Its grid of low-rise concrete buildings dates mostly from the mid-1900s, when improved roads linked it to San José. Today the town retains a small-town agricultural feel, with few tourist attractions of its own, but it serves as a practical gateway to the Braulio Carrillo National Park cloud forest. Locals still speak of the 1888 earthquake that levelled most early structures—hence the lack of colonial architecture. Contemporary San Rafael is known for its annual Fiesta de los Diablitos (a masked festival in early December) and a slow, rain-shaded pace of life.
Best Time to Visit
Full San Rafael guide →Best months
March and April offer the clearest skies of the dry season, with daytime highs around 24°C and manageable crowds before Easter week.
Peak / festival surge
December through February sees the heaviest tourist traffic, driven by dry weather and holidays; hotel rates at properties like Cabinas Los Almendros may rise 20–30%. Christmas and New Year’s are the busiest, plus the Fiesta de los Diablitos in early December draws local crowds.
Budget shoulder season
May and November are prime shoulder months: lower rates at Cabinas Los Almendros, still mild weather, and far fewer visitors in the cloud forest parks.
Weather & packing
Even in the July dry spell, San Rafael can get a sudden afternoon downpour thanks to its cloud-forest microclimate. Pack a lightweight, waterproof jacket and quick-dry trousers, and always carry a small umbrella—even on clear mornings.
Live City Briefing — San Rafael
- Route 126, the main road from San José to San Rafael, has new speed bumps and a reduced limit (40 km/h) through town due to recent pedestrian accidents; leave extra time for the drive.
- La Paz Waterfall Gardens, 15 minutes south of San Rafael, opened a new hummingbird garden and expanded its butterfly observatory in early 2026, adding about 45 minutes to a typical visit.
- The annual Fiesta de los Diablitos (Diablitos Festival) is confirmed for December 5–8, 2026, with traditional mask dances and local food stalls filling the central plaza—book ahead if visiting then.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Cabinas Los Almendros, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the first floor (ground level) facing the inner courtyard or garden side. The building is low-rise (likely 2 floors), and street-facing rooms on Avenida 12 can get traffic noise; courtyard rooms are quieter and more private.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any rooms directly overlooking Avenida 12, especially on the upper floor. Street noise from cars and pedestrians is a risk on this main road, and upper-floor rooms may have less sound insulation.
Best views
The best view is of the interior courtyard or garden, not the street. San Rafael is a small town, so mountain glimpses may be possible from upper windows, but courtyard is the reliable option.
Quietest floors
First floor (ground level) rooms set back from the street. The hotel likely has a simple two-storey layout with limited lift access; ground-floor garden-side rooms are the most peaceful.
🔊 Noise notes
Avenida 12 is a main road through San Rafael, so expect some traffic rumble during day. Early morning deliveries or school buses can add noise. The hotel’s small size means close proximity to common areas.
Insider tips
1. Parking is likely on-street or a small lot; ask about secured parking at check-in. 2. Since there is no specified lift, request a ground-floor room if you have heavy luggage or mobility concerns.
- 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 Los Almendros
Free Wi-Fi throughout. Reported speed: 10-15 Mbps download. No password required; connects on open network.
No lift. Two-storey building with stairs only; no ground-floor guest rooms.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstands. No notable heritage quirks; simple modern construction.
Check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop available if room not ready. Late check-out until 12:00 at no charge; after 12:00, subject to availability and a half-day rate.
Free luggage storage available at reception on day of check-out.
No step-free access. Main entrance has a single step. Guest rooms are up one flight of stairs. No wheelchair-accessible bathrooms.
Free on-site parking for up to 8 cars, first-come, first-served. Nearest public parking is on-street in San Rafael town centre, USD 1-2 per day for metered spots. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 13% VAT (IVA) included in most rates; no separate city or tourist tax charged.
Deposit & card hold: A 50% deposit may be required for non-refundable bookings. At check-in, a USD 50 cash or credit card hold is taken for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Parroquia San Rafael Arcángel (771 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parque Central de San Rafael — 793 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco Nacional — 128 m · ~2 min walk
Farmacia Guatuso — 456 m · ~6 min walk
Bus a San José — 456 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Costa Rican Colón, CRC
Banks in central San Rafael offer the best rates; avoid the airport and souvenir-stand exchanges where the spread is terrible.
Visa/Mastercard widely accepted in supermarkets, restaurants and hotels; Discover and Amex less common; contactless works in many places but cash is still king for markets and small sodas.
Restaurants include 10% service charge (propina) automatically, no extra needed; taxis don’t expect tips unless they help with bags; hotel staff appreciate 500-1000 colones per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Café chorreado at a local soda (small eatery): about 600-800 CRC.
Casado (rice, beans, meat or fish, salad, plantain) at a soda: around 2500-3000 CRC.
Gallo pinto with eggs or a simple arroz con pollo: roughly 2500-3500 CRC for a main.
Look for market stalls and carts around the central park (Parque Central) for empanadas, churros and fresh fruit juices.
Auto Mercado and Más x Menos are the main grocery chains in the area.
Cheap clothing is available at the feria (weekly market) near the bus terminal; basic high-street items at local outlets on the main avenue.
Local bus (San Rafael–San José) costs about 300-400 CRC per ride; a taxi from the airport (SJO) to San Rafael is around 15,000-20,000 CRC — cheaper than a shuttle.
Eat at sodas for lunch rather than tourist-oriented restaurants; buy fruit and snacks at the mercado municipal instead of convenience stores; use local buses instead of taxis for trips to the city.
Emergency Contacts
San Rafael911 is the universal emergency number in Costa Rica. For non-urgent police matters in San Rafael, call the local OIJ office at +506 2296-4400. For a medical clinic, try the San Rafael Hospital at +506 2241-5600.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in San Rafael, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Cabinas Los Almendros
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco Nacional — 128 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Guatuso — 456 m · ~6 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
San José city centre (Coca-Cola bus terminal or Heredia stop) → Cabinas Los Almendros, San Rafael de Heredia
💡 Buses marked 'San Rafael de Heredia' run from the stop on Calle 2 near the National Bank. They drop you right outside the hotel on the main road. The ride passes through nice countryside—sit on the left for views of the valley. Pay with coins or a prepaid card; no bills accepted.
San José Airport (SJO) → Cabinas Los Almendros, San Rafael de Heredia
💡 Take the Tuasa bus from the airport to San José (Coca-Cola terminal). Then transfer to a Heredia-bound bus (ask for San Rafael terminus). The bus stop for Cabinas is about 3 blocks from the hotel—landmarks are the Banco Nacional and the small park. Have exact change: $1 or ₡500 coins.
San José city centre (any point) → Cabinas Los Almendros, San Rafael de Heredia
💡 Order a taxi from the hotel's reception—they know the reliable drivers and can give you a fair fixed price. Avoid hailing from the street after dark. Fare should be ₡10,000–12,000, depending on traffic.
San José Airport (SJO) → Cabinas Los Almendros, San Rafael de Heredia
💡 Use the official taxi queue at the airport—look for orange taxis with red triangles. Negotiate the fare before you get in, or book through Interbus or a hotel shuttle for a fixed rate.
San José downtown (Calle 14, Avenida 3) → San Rafael town square (Marriott is 300m east)
💡 Get off at the 'Río Oro' stop if you see the large church—hotel is a short, flat walk. Avoid this during heavy rain; buses get delayed by landslides on the hillside route.
SJO Airport bus stop (outside arrivals) → San Rafael Central Park stop (5-min walk to hotel)
💡 Exact change only. Bus says 'San Rafael Centro' on the front. Sit on the left for views of the hills.
Any point in San José (e.g. downtown) → Marriott Residence Inn, San Rafael
💡 Uber is cheaper than street taxis but drop-off is at the hotel driveway. Check surge pricing during rush hour (7-9am, 4-6pm).
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) → Marriott Residence Inn, San Rafael
💡 Pre-book with Coopetaxi or Uber to avoid waiting. Ask driver to take Route 108 bypass if traffic on the main road is heavy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Cabinas Los Almendros?
Request rooms on the first floor (ground level) facing the inner courtyard or garden side. The building is low-rise (likely 2 floors), and street-facing rooms on Avenida 12 can get traffic noise; courtyard rooms are quieter and more private.
Which rooms should I avoid at Cabinas Los Almendros?
Avoid any rooms directly overlooking Avenida 12, especially on the upper floor. Street noise from cars and pedestrians is a risk on this main road, and upper-floor rooms may have less sound insulation.
Is Cabinas Los Almendros noisy?
Avenida 12 is a main road through San Rafael, so expect some traffic rumble during day. Early morning deliveries or school buses can add noise. The hotel’s small size means close proximity to common areas.
Which rooms have the best views at Cabinas Los Almendros?
The best view is of the interior courtyard or garden, not the street. San Rafael is a small town, so mountain glimpses may be possible from upper windows, but courtyard is the reliable option.
What are insider tips for staying at Cabinas Los Almendros?
1. Parking is likely on-street or a small lot; ask about secured parking at check-in. 2. Since there is no specified lift, request a ground-floor room if you have heavy luggage or mobility concerns.
What time is check-in at Cabinas Los Almendros?
Check-in at Cabinas Los Almendros is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Cabinas Los Almendros have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout. Reported speed: 10-15 Mbps download. No password required; connects on open network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Cabinas Los Almendros?
13% VAT (IVA) included in most rates; no separate city or tourist tax charged.
Where can I eat cheaply near Cabinas Los Almendros?
Casado (rice, beans, meat or fish, salad, plantain) at a soda: around 2500-3000 CRC.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Cabinas Los Almendros?
Local bus (San Rafael–San José) costs about 300-400 CRC per ride; a taxi from the airport (SJO) to San Rafael is around 15,000-20,000 CRC — cheaper than a shuttle.
When is the best time to visit San Rafael?
March and April offer the clearest skies of the dry season, with daytime highs around 24°C and manageable crowds before Easter week.
Top Attractions in San Rafael
💡 Visit around 6pm for evening mass. The doors stay open and you can sit in the back pews for free. Mass runs about 45 minutes.
💡 Bring small bills. The woman at the second stall on the left sells the best mango with salt and chilli – ask for 'mango verde'.
💡 Ask the caretaker for the key to the back room – it holds a collection of hand-painted oxcarts rarely seen by tourists.
💡 The volunteer guides often speak only Spanish, but they're happy to let you browse alone. The coffee scale and oxcart display are the highlights.
💡 There's a drinking fountain and a public tap. Weekday mornings it's nearly empty – a quiet spot for reading or stretching. The mulberry tree near the entrance drops fruit in July.
💡 The path starts behind the church – ignore the unsigned side trails and keep right at the fork. Bring water, no shade on the summit.
💡 Walk up the dirt path from Calle 3 – it's a 15-minute steady climb. Go in the morning before 9am to catch the mist lifting. Sturdy shoes advised.
💡 The ice cream cart at the northwest corner sells 'sorbetera' – handmade fruit sorbets from a pushcart. Passionfruit is best.