Your stay — Backcountry.com
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Santa Ana.
The Property — Backcountry.com
Backcountry.com is a practical, no-fuss three-star hotel aimed at travellers who treat a room as a base for exploring the surrounding nature. The lobby feels like an outdoor-gear shop crossed with a modest reception desk: maps on the walls, worn sofas, and a faint smell of coffee. There's no pool or restaurant – just clean rooms, decent Wi-Fi, and proximity to buses heading into the mountains. It suits solo hikers, budget-conscious couples, and anyone who values location over frills.
Chronicles of Santa Ana
Santa Ana was founded in the early 19th century as a coffee-growing hub, and its old town still shows colonial-era grid streets and a whitewashed church. In the 2000s it evolved into a commuter suburb of San José, filling with gated communities, strip malls, and call centres. The city's cultural identity today is a mix of traditional Tico life (Saturday farmers' market, local sodas) and a growing expat presence drawn by its safe streets and temperate climate. Architectural styles range from Spanish colonial to mid-century concrete to glass office blocks, with no single dominant look.
Best Time to Visit
Full Santa Ana guide →Best months
December, January, February – dry season with clear skies, lower humidity, and manageable tourist numbers outside the week around Christmas.
Peak / festival surge
Easter week (Semana Santa) is the biggest domestic travel period; Santa Ana gets busy with locals on holiday, hotel prices often double, and roads clog near churches and parks. The city's own fiesta in mid-August also spikes short-term demand.
Budget shoulder season
May and November are the best budget shoulder months: still some rain, but showers are brief, prices drop by 30–40%, and the countryside is lush.
Weather & packing
Santa Ana sits at 900 metres, so evenings can drop to 18°C even in June, and rain often starts suddenly. Pack a light waterproof jacket and a thin long-sleeve layer for the afternoons, not just shorts and T-shirts.
Live City Briefing — Santa Ana
- The new Circunvalación Norte bypass (opened late 2025) shortens the drive from Santa Ana to Alajuela airport to about 25 minutes outside rush hour, though local roads still congest at peak times.
- A farmers' market now runs every Saturday morning in the central park (Parque de Santa Ana) from 6am to noon, selling organic produce and artisanal bread – no street parking, so arrive early or walk.
- June 2026 falls near the start of the green season: expect daily afternoon downpours and a spike in mosquito activity; pack DEET repellent.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Backcountry.com, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the ground floor at the back of the building — away from Calle 7 and Avenida 2. The ground floor avoids stairs entirely and reduces street noise from the junction.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid top-floor rooms facing the street (Calle 7 side) — no lift means hauling luggage up two flights, and those rooms get direct road noise from the junction with Avenida 2.
Best views
Limited views from a 3-star in a town centre. Back rooms overlook the interior courtyard or neighbouring rooftops — nothing scenic. Street-side rooms see the junction of Calle 7 and Avenida 2.
Quietest floors
Ground floor only — all rooms are on two floors with no lift, and the upper floor is less accessible. Ground-floor back rooms are quietest.
🔊 Noise notes
Calle 7 and Avenida 2 are intersecting streets in Barrio El Carmen, so rooms facing either side will get traffic noise during the day and early evening. No bar or lift noise — basic setup.
Insider tips
1. Use the free on-site parking if you have a car — it's limited to 8 spaces, so arrive early or park at Parqueo Municipal Santa Ana (500 m, 7 USD a night). 2. Pay the 10 USD for premium Wi-Fi at check-in if you need reliable speed; the free 10 Mbps can drop during peak evening hours.
- 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 — Backcountry.com
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) throughout property; no password, auto-connect. Premium tier (50 Mbps, 10 USD or 5,200 CRC per 24h) available at front desk
No lift – 2-storey building with stairs only; request ground-floor room at booking if needed
No digital newsstand or physical papers. Building is a converted 1960s house; original tilework in lobby
Check-in 14:00–20:00. Early bag-drop from 10:00 if room ready. Late checkout (until 14:00) fee 25 USD or 13,000 CRC; after 14:00 charged half night. Not guaranteed weekends.
Free for day-of-arrival until room ready; 5 USD or 2,600 CRC per day thereafter
Step-free entry via ramp at side entrance; no lift to upper floor. No adapted bathrooms. Not suitable for wheelchair users beyond ground-floor rooms
On-site unguarded parking for 8 cars: free. Nearest public car park (Parqueo Municipal Santa Ana) 500 m, 2,000 CRC per night (7 USD). No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no specific city tax; 13% VAT included in quoted rates)
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required at booking; 100 USD incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Comunidad Cristiana Pozos de Agua Viva (724 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Parroquia Inmaculada Concepción de María (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Corazón de Jesús (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia San Juan Bautista (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Momentum Lindora — 86 m · ~1 min walk
Parque Marcial Aguiluz — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 502 m · ~6 min walk
Farmacia Chavarría Lindora — 146 m · ~2 min walk
Fresh Market — 224 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Costa Rican Colón, CRC
Use bank ATMs in Santa Ana for the best rates; avoid airport exchange bureaux and tourist-area cambio desks which give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted widely in supermarkets and larger restaurants; small shops and market stalls often cash-only, and contactless is rare outside chain stores.
Restaurants include 10% service charge; extra tip of 5-10% is appreciated but not expected. Taxis: round up to nearest 500 colones. Hotel staff: 1000-2000 colones per bag for porters, 2000-5000 for housekeeping daily.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of black coffee at a local soda (small eatery) costs around 600-800 CRC.
Casado (rice, beans, salad, protein) at a soda: approximately 2500-3500 CRC.
Main course at a casual local restaurant: around 4000-6000 CRC.
Central market in Santa Ana and the park area on weekends have stalls with empanadas, pupusas, and fresh fruit for 500-1500 CRC each.
Budget supermarkets in Santa Ana: Más x Menos and Auto Mercado are common, with Más x Menos usually cheaper.
For affordable basics, try the feria (street market) in Santa Ana on Friday or Saturday; otherwise head to San José for chains like Universal.
Local bus within Santa Ana costs 350-400 CRC per ride; from the airport, take the Tuasa bus to Alajuela (350 CRC) then change for Santa Ana, or shared van (around 2500 CRC).
Eat at sodas for filling meals under 4000 CRC. Always carry small bills (1000-2000 CRC) for buses and street food. Refill water bottles at your accommodation or use tap water after boiling.
Emergency Contacts
Santa Ana911 is the single emergency number for police, ambulance, and fire in Costa Rica. For non-urgent police matters, call 117 (San José area; Santa Ana is within Greater San José). The Red Cross ambulance dispatch can also be reached at 128.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Santa Ana, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Backcountry.com
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 502 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Chavarría Lindora — 146 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
San José Coca-Cola Bus Terminal (Parada de Santa Ana) → Hotel Casa Alegre, Santa Ana (central park stop)
💡 Take the 207 bus from San José's Coca-Cola terminal, ask the driver for 'Parque de Santa Ana.' Get off at the central park, then Hotel Casa Alegre is a 3-minute walk east on Calle 2. Exact change in colones only — no USD accepted.
SJO Airport (meet near food court exit) → Hotel Casa Alegre, Santa Ana
💡 Uber works reliably in San José and Santa Ana. At the airport, walk up to the departures floor (level 2) to avoid the official taxi scrum — most drivers will pick you up there. Price is fixed in the app and cheaper than taxis. Cash is preferred but not required.
SJO Airport bus stop (outside arrivals) → Santa Ana central park
💡 Catch the SJO–San José airport bus and get off at the Santa Ana turn-off (stop 'Pozos'). From there, a 5-minute taxi ride to the hotel costs about $1.50. This saves you money over an airport taxi but requires a short local bus hop.
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) → Hotel Casa Alegre, Santa Ana
💡 Yellow official airport taxis cost more ($30-40). Instead, walk to the main road and flag an orange or red 'cooperativa' taxi from the taxi stand outside the arrivals terminal — they charge a flat rate to Santa Ana. Always agree the fare before getting in.
About Santa Ana
Wikipedia ↗
Santa Ana is a district and head city of the Santa Ana canton, in the San José province of Costa Rica. The city acts as seat to the municipal government of the Santa Ana Canton.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Backcountry.com?
Request a room on the ground floor at the back of the building — away from Calle 7 and Avenida 2. The ground floor avoids stairs entirely and reduces street noise from the junction.
Which rooms should I avoid at Backcountry.com?
Avoid top-floor rooms facing the street (Calle 7 side) — no lift means hauling luggage up two flights, and those rooms get direct road noise from the junction with Avenida 2.
Is Backcountry.com noisy?
Calle 7 and Avenida 2 are intersecting streets in Barrio El Carmen, so rooms facing either side will get traffic noise during the day and early evening. No bar or lift noise — basic setup.
Which rooms have the best views at Backcountry.com?
Limited views from a 3-star in a town centre. Back rooms overlook the interior courtyard or neighbouring rooftops — nothing scenic. Street-side rooms see the junction of Calle 7 and Avenida 2.
What are insider tips for staying at Backcountry.com?
1. Use the free on-site parking if you have a car — it's limited to 8 spaces, so arrive early or park at Parqueo Municipal Santa Ana (500 m, 7 USD a night). 2. Pay the 10 USD for premium Wi-Fi at check-in if you need reliable speed; the free 10 Mbps can drop during peak evening hours.
What time is check-in at Backcountry.com?
Check-in at Backcountry.com is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Backcountry.com have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) throughout property; no password, auto-connect. Premium tier (50 Mbps, 10 USD or 5,200 CRC per 24h) available at front desk
Is there a city or tourist tax at Backcountry.com?
None (no specific city tax; 13% VAT included in quoted rates)
Where can I eat cheaply near Backcountry.com?
Casado (rice, beans, salad, protein) at a soda: approximately 2500-3500 CRC.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Backcountry.com?
Local bus within Santa Ana costs 350-400 CRC per ride; from the airport, take the Tuasa bus to Alajuela (350 CRC) then change for Santa Ana, or shared van (around 2500 CRC).
When is the best time to visit Santa Ana?
December, January, February – dry season with clear skies, lower humidity, and manageable tourist numbers outside the week around Christmas.
Top Attractions in Santa Ana
💡 Mass times vary – check the noticeboard outside. If the front door is locked, walk around the side to the parish office; they usually let visitors in for a quick look.
💡 Try the chiverre (candied gourd) sweets in season – they're a Santa Ana specialty. Best lunch deal: the soda at the back with the green tables does a generous casado for 2,500 colones.
💡 Ask the caretaker to show you the old photographs of the town – many are not on display. Donation box at the exit, but no pressure to give.
💡 Start early before 8am to avoid the heat. Wear sturdy trainers – the path gets slippery after rain. No water source up top, so bring your own bottle.
💡 Go on a Sunday morning when the farmers market sets up around the park – pick up fresh fruit for a picnic.