In 1838, this city was named Los Naranjos de Púas in honor of its distinctive, omnipresent orange trees, although today these have largely been replaced by coffee bushes. Few sights exist in the town center; Naranjo is a working town, producing sugar cane, beans, chile, jalapeños, coffee, and maíz. Visit nearby natural havens like the protected area of El Chayote, El Cerro del Espíritu Santo (which, at a height of 1353m, affords a panoramic view of the Central Valley), the Cordillera Volcánica Central, the Cordillera de Guanacaste, and Volcán Arenal. Perched in the hills, Naranjo overlooks numerous coffee mills, and cafetales (plantations) surround the city. Those seeking relaxation in an extremely rural setting can indulge in the plentiful balnearios (hot springs) like that of Las Estufas in the poblado of Palmitos. Those craving more adventure enjoy bungee jumping off the world-renowned 81m high Colorado bridge.
Buses to Sarchí, Grecia, and Alajuela leave from across from the Paraíso Infantil store (about every 30min. 4:55am-10pm; Sarchí Sur ¢140, Sarchí Norte ¢250, Grecia ¢345, Alajuela ¢610). Another terminal (☎2451 3655) is located on the east side of the mercado, with frequent buses to San José (M-F every 15min. 4:25-8am and every 40min. 8am-8:30pm, Sa every 20-40min. 4:25am-8pm, Su every 30-60min. 5am-8pm; ¢600). Check in the blue office at the exit of the market on the right for updates. Taxis (☎2450 0083) are available 6am-11pm.
The ornate white-stone church faces west toward the parque (notice the sculpture on the northeast corner). This town operates on the standard Costa Rican grid system, with C. Central between the parque and the church, and Av. 0 between the church and the market. The municipal building is just north of the church. The town’s mercado is part of the same block, just north of the municipal building. Banco Nacional, with a 24hr. ATM, is across the street from the southwest corner of the parque. (☎2255 0620. Open M-F 8:45am-3:45pm.) Banco de Costa Rica is immediately north of the parque, with a 24hr. ATM (open M-F 8am-4pm). The nearest Western Union is located in Coopealianza, 50m west of the northwest corner of the parque (M-F 8am-5pm, Sa 8am-noon). The police stations (☎2450 0052) are located both in the market and in front of the football stadium, 200m north of the northwest corner of the mercado. The Red Cross is at the entrance of town, 200m east and 100m south of the church. (☎2451 3939 or 911. Open 24hr.) There are two pharmacies in town: Montesoli, on the south side of the church (☎2451 3517; open daily 8am-10pm) and Nelma, at the east side of the mercado (☎2450 0529; www.posadahotel.net; open M-Sa 7:30am-8:30pm, Su 7:30am-1pm). VIP Café Internet, next to the entrance to BCR just north of the parque, has fast computers with headsets and Skype. (☎2450 5379. ¢300 per hr. Open daily 8am-9pm.) CompuExpress, offers Internet on older computers 100m west and 75m north of the northwest corner of the parque. (☎2450 0109. Open M-F 8am-9pm, Sa 8am-8pm, Su 8am-noon.) The post office is 100m east and 50m north of the church. (}/fax 2450 0644. Open M-F 7:30am-noon and 1-5:30pm.) Postal Code: 4200.
Naranjo doesn’t see many tourists, and thus, the accommodations are limited. However, there are a couple of accommodations outside of town.
Food of the mountains typically abounds with picadillo de chayote (a spicy vegetable stew), pan dulce (sweet bread), arroz con leche (rice pudding), and cajetas de leche y coco (sweet milk and coconut nougat). The market in town is quite clean; many linger to eat their purchases on the premises. In addition, SuperCompro, across the street north of the mercado, has a good selection of groceries (☎2450 0138; open M-Th 7am-8pm, F-Sa 7am-8:30pm, Su 7am-6:30pm), as does the local Palí, 150m east of the church (☎2451 1920; open M-Th 8am-7pm, F-Sa 8am-7:30pm, Su 8am-6pm).
If you have a group of two to five people, you can go ballooning over the coffee and sugar cane mountains of Naranjo with the tour group Serendipity. Call in advance to find out where to be picked up. (☎2558 1000; www.serendipityadventures.com/ballooning.htm. Balloon ride US$345 per person, US$1200 for private charter.) If slow, calm ballooning doesn’t get your adrenaline going, try a rapid descent off the 81m, 120-year-old Colorado bridge. Tropical Bungee, in business since 1991, claims to have a perfect safety record. (}/fax 2248 2212; www.tropicalbungee.com. Reservations required. 1st jump US$65, 2nd jump US$30; includes transportation.)
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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