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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 offers luxurious rooms 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 the capital’s main thoroughfare. It occupies a converted turn-of-the-century mansion. The corridors are decorated with period photographs and paintings by local artists, and the interior courtyards are studded with tropical plants and fountains.

All the guest rooms and suites are different in size, shape and layout: each individually decorated with wrought iron beds, works of art and locally handcrafted furnishings.

There is a rooftop deck area with a secluded garden, hot tub and an independently-run spa. The restaurant has the reputation as being one of the best in San José and offers the option to take meals in the tropical courtyard, the sunroom or the intimate dining room.

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

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

    JW, London Aug 2016
  • Highlight?: Turtles laying, sloths scratching, toucans screeching, frogs jumping, iguanas climbing, Mayan steps galore, sharks a swimming, stalactite dodging in the blue hole...All in all brilliant

    MS, Twickenham Oct 2016
  • Commitment to Eco-Tourism and Respect for local people evident throughout

    MD, Southam Feb 2010
  • 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
  • Costa Rica with Journey Latin America is one of the best holidays we have ever had, if not the best.

    MD, Southam Jun 2025
  • It was all pretty memorable but the view of the Arenal volcano from our boat transfer across the lake sticks in my mind. It was a completely clear day and…

    EW, Newport May 2017
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Our Expert's Opinion

Heloise
Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Alex
    Alex Walker - Travel Expert

    A globetrotter since her childhood, Alex spent a year studying abroad in Guadalajara and has returned to Latin America countless times since then.

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

  • Kathryn
    Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

    Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

  • Finn Clennett
    Finn Clennett - Travel Expert

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