Your stay — Real InterContinental
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Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Real InterContinental, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (4th floor or above) to minimize street noise from Calle Matapalo, which can get busy with locals and traffic. Additionally, if you prefer a quieter room, opt for a room facing the interior courtyard to avoid any potential street noise. Keep in mind that this hotel has a 4-story building, so elevators may be a bit slower, but floors 2-4 should be more accessible.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor, as they may be closer to the service entrance and potentially more prone to noise. Rooms near the elevator on lower floors may also experience more noise from elevator usage.
Best views
Due to the hotel's location on Calle Matapalo, rooms with a street view may offer a glimpse of the surrounding neighborhood, but the views are not particularly notable. However, the interior courtyard view provides a more serene atmosphere.
Quietest floors
2-4
🔊 Noise notes
Calle Matapalo can be busy with traffic and locals, so rooms facing the street may experience some noise. Additionally, the hotel's location is near a residential area, so there may be some background noise from nearby homes.
Insider tips
If you're driving, be aware that parking might be limited in the area, so it's a good idea to check with the hotel in advance to ensure availability. Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour front desk and ask for assistance with any requests or questions – the staff is likely to be helpful in making your stay more comfortable.
- 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 — Real InterContinental
Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms and public areas, with speeds of up to 100 Mbps. No login constraints.
The hotel has a lift serving all floors, with no stairs-only historic sections.
Complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) is available on all devices, with a physical paper option available upon request.
Check-in is available from 3 PM, with early bag-drop from 7 AM. Late check-out until 2 PM incurs a fee of ₡15,000 (approximately $25 USD).
Complimentary baggage storage is available for a maximum of 3 days.
The hotel has step-free access, wheelchair entries, and adapted rooms for guests with disabilities.
On-site parking is available for ₡9,000 (approximately $15 USD) per night. The nearest public car park is the San Rafael Parking Lot, approximately 500m away, with a cost of ₡5,000 (approximately $8 USD) per day. Electric vehicle charging is available on request for ₡3,000 (approximately $5 USD) per charging session.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: ₡1,950 per person, per night (approximately $3 USD)
Deposit & card hold: Credit card hold of ₡100,000 (approximately $165 USD) for incidentals at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia de San Gabriel Arcángel (444 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Bautista Internacional (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: Ermita Rincón Grande (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Place of worship: Iglesia Bautista (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mercado Urbano Combai — 442 m · ~6 min walk
Parque La Ceiba — 620 m · ~8 min walk
The Playground — 621 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 727 m · ~9 min walk
Sucre — 313 m · ~4 min walk
Circle K — 865 m · ~11 min walk
Demasa (Pueblo Nuevo) — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
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 Real InterContinental
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 727 m · ~9 min walk — pharmacy · Sucre — 313 m · ~4 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 Real InterContinental?
Request a room on a higher floor (4th floor or above) to minimize street noise from Calle Matapalo, which can get busy with locals and traffic. Additionally, if you prefer a quieter room, opt for a room facing the interior courtyard to avoid any potential street noise. Keep in mind that this hotel has a 4-story building, so elevators may be a bit slower, but floors 2-4 should be more accessible.
Which rooms should I avoid at Real InterContinental?
Avoid rooms on the first floor, as they may be closer to the service entrance and potentially more prone to noise. Rooms near the elevator on lower floors may also experience more noise from elevator usage.
Is Real InterContinental noisy?
Calle Matapalo can be busy with traffic and locals, so rooms facing the street may experience some noise. Additionally, the hotel's location is near a residential area, so there may be some background noise from nearby homes.
Which rooms have the best views at Real InterContinental?
Due to the hotel's location on Calle Matapalo, rooms with a street view may offer a glimpse of the surrounding neighborhood, but the views are not particularly notable. However, the interior courtyard view provides a more serene atmosphere.
What are insider tips for staying at Real InterContinental?
If you're driving, be aware that parking might be limited in the area, so it's a good idea to check with the hotel in advance to ensure availability. Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour front desk and ask for assistance with any requests or questions – the staff is likely to be helpful in making your stay more comfortable.
What time is check-in at Real InterContinental?
Check-in at Real InterContinental is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Real InterContinental have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms and public areas, with speeds of up to 100 Mbps. No login constraints.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Real InterContinental?
₡1,950 per person, per night (approximately $3 USD)
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.