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Grano de Oro

  • Grano de Oro
  • Grano de Oro
  • Grano de Oro
  • Grano de Oro
  • Grano de Oro
  • Grano de Oro
  • Grano de Oro
  • Grano de Oro
  • Grano de Oro
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An atmospheric and elegant converted colonial mansion in one of central San José's most stylish buildings.

The delightful Grano de Oro oozes charm on a quiet, tree-lined street just off Paseo Colón, the capital’s main thoroughfare. The heart of downtown San José is only a short taxi ride away.

The hotel occupies a converted turn-of-the-century mansion, and its corridors are adorned with period photographs as well as paintings by local artists, while the interior courtyards are studded with tropical plants and fountains.

The guest rooms and suites are elegant and well-appointed and some of the higher categories come with their own private patio. A secluded rooftop terrace has a couple of hot tubs and some sun loungers, as well as a small gym.

The hotel’s restaurant is regarded as one of the best in San José and frequented by well-to-do Costa Ricans. Guests can dine in the central courtyard or an intimate dining room and sample a refined menu heavily influenced by French and European cuisine and accompanied by an extensive wine list.

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • Most memorable experience: "The amount and variety of wildlife in Tortuguero and Cahuita (which we visited separately). I lived in San Jose from 1978-1981 and never saw so much variety,…

    JW, Crowborough Feb 2015
  • Everything was amazing...This is the best family holiday we have ever had. Even our 20 year old daughter, who has travelled extensively, agreed that Costa Rica is wonderfully unique. The…

    RW, Cheltenham Aug 2016
  • Highlight?: Tortoguero without a doubt-felt truly isolate in the rain forest and it was breathtaking in terms of the biodiversity.

    SW, Surbiton Mar 2018
  • So many - sloths close up, wild monkeys eating coconuts from our hand, finding a snake in Falls resort, zipwiring in Arenal, canoeing to old Costa Rican farmhouse, night walks…

    JS, Amersham Sep 2016
  • Most Memorable Moment?: There are a few but being so close to wildlife during the journey was amazing!!!

    JW, London Aug 2016
  • Highlights:- Hard to choose, but the noises and sounds surrounding us all day and night, created by all the wildlife was fantastic.  Never heard anything like it and loved it. …

    ST, Swords May 2011
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Our Expert's Opinion

Mary
Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert

Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.

Papagaio

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

  • Hannah
    Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

  • Lina
    Lina Fuller - Travel Expert

    Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.

  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

  • Maggie
    Maggie Wilson - Travel Expert

    Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.

  • Paul Winrow Giffin
    Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

    After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

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