Sarchí Overview

The livelihood of this town revolves entirely around the production and sale of crafts and souvenirs. Shops selling hand-crafted furniture line the main road. Meaning “wide open jungle space” in the indigenous language of Huetar, Sarchí was inhabited by an indigenous community until 1640, and it is one of the oldest settlements in the Central Valley. This small village keeps an old tradition alive in the form of brilliantly decorated, iconic carretas (wooden oxcarts).

In addition to being the cradle of Costa Rican crafts, Sarchí is situated in the fertile cantón of Valverde Vega, between Volcán Poás and Volcán Barva. Its rolling hillsides offer lovely views of the valley and provide a beautiful backdrop for dazzling sunsets. For most travelers, Sarchí is a one-day stop for crafts and souvenir shopping, but those with time to spare will linger in the picturesque hills high above the town, descending to enjoy the peaceful, rainbow-painted park, friendly locals, and talented artisans.

Buses leave across from the west side of the parque in Sarchí Norte. Buses to Los Ángeles (6 per day 5am-6:30pm) pass by La Luisa and San Pedro, as do buses to Trojas (5:40, 10:45am, 1:30, 3:45pm; ¢155) and San Juan (9 per day 6am-5:40pm, ¢155). Buses to Naranjo (5km), Grecia, and Alajuela pass by the west side of the parque in Sarchí Norte and by the stop in front of the Plaza de Artesanía in Sarchí Sur every 25min. (6am-11pm; to Naranjo and Grecia ¢120, to Alajuela ¢565). Direct buses go to and from San José (1hr., every hr. 5am-10pm, ¢700). Buses run less frequently on weekends. Buses leave for Bajos del Toro Amarillo from the tourist office in Sarchí Sur (3:15pm, return 5:30am; ¢300). Taxis (☎2454 3205) are around the parque in Sarchí Norte (6am-midnight).

Orientation And Practical Information

Sarchí is divided into Sarchí Norte and Sarchí Sur. Sarchí Norte has the town center and residential areas as well as most of the services and furniture stores. Sarchí Sur has handicrafts and oxcart vendors. The two sections are separated by a 2km road, but public buses pass by often.

Tourist Information: Information about the town can be found at newly opened Ofiservice (☎2454 3870), a blue and white building across the street from the Joaquín Chaverri factory and the Plaza de Artesanía. Open daily 10am-7pm. The Revista Sarchí Guide has good maps, as well as historical and up-to-date info about the town.
Banks: All 3 have 24hr. ATMs.
- Mutual Alajuela (☎2454 3200), at the northeast corner of the soccer field on the main road in Sarchí Norte. Open M-F 8am-5pm, Sa 8am-noon.
- Banco Nacional (☎2454 4126), at the northwest corner of the soccer field on the main road in Sarchí Norte. Open M-F 8:30am-3:45pm.
- Banco de Costa Rica (☎2454 1100), 50m southeast of Sarchí Norte on the main road. Exchanges US$ and AmEx traveler’s checks. Open M-F 8am-4pm.
Police: Fuerza Pública (☎2454 4021), at the end of La Eva part of town. Open 24hr. Another office is next door to Ofiservice. Open M-F 8am-noon and 2-6pm.
Red Cross: (☎2454 4139, emergency 911), 50m uphill from Banco Nacional in Sarchí Norte. Office open M-F 7am-5pm, Sa 7am-noon. Emergencies 24hr.
Pharmacy: Farmacia Sarchí (☎2454 1418), next to the west corner of the parque central in Sarchí Norte. Open M-Sa 7:30am-8:30pm, Su 7:30am-1:30pm. MC/V. Farmacia Santiago (☎2454 2815), at the northwest corner of the soccer field in Sarchí Norte. Open M-Sa 7am-9pm, Su 7am-7pm. AmEx/MC/V.
Hospital: The closest hospital is in Grecia (☎2494 5044).
Internet Access: There is an Internet Café next to Hotel Daniel Zamora, above the liquor store (☎2454 2100). ¢350 per hr. Open M-Sa 9am-9pm, Su noon-9pm. Ofiservice, across from the Joaquín Chaverri factory and the Plaza de Artesanía, offers Internet service at steeper rates. US$2 per hr. Open daily 10am-7pm.
Post Office: (☎2454 4533; fax 2454 4300), 125m uphill on the main road from the parque in Sarchí Norte. Open M-F 8am-noon and 1-5:30pm. Postal Code: 4150.

Accommodations

Visitors to Sarchí must decide between lodging in the town center and staying in the scenic hills above the town. Accommodations close to the center are relatively utilitarian, while those outside offer fantastic views of the Central Valley but require the visitor to take taxis or buses into town.

Cabinas Paraíso Río Verde (☎2454 3003), 100m east and 100m south of the San Pedro church, about 3km from Sarchí Sur. 3 volcanoes are visible from the pool, and 1 room has a panoramic view. Paths between the attractively decorated rooms are lined with palm trees. Easily accessible by bus. Breakfast US$5. Airport transportation available. Doubles US$20-25; bungalows for 1, 2, 3, or 4 people US$45/50/60/70.
Cabinas Fantasía (☎2454 2007), on C. Trojas, 1km uphill north of the San Pedro church. Among trees on a quiet hill, Cabinas Fantasía has 15 cabins with TV and private hot-water baths. Pink, 2-person cabins are simple and have a fantastic view of Grecia and Sarchí Sur. Accessible by cab or the infrequent bus to Trojas. 4-person cabins have kitchen facilities and 2 bedrooms. Cabins for 2 people US$30; 4 people US$40.
Hotel Daniel Zamora (☎2454 4596; www.tiptopwebsite.com/danza), in Sarchí Norte, across the main street from the soccer field, and 25m directly up the road. 7 basic rooms with white walls, sheets, and tiled floors. Convenient to the center of town, but slightly ovepriced. Floral curtains spice up otherwise sparse rooms. Cable TV and private baths. Reception closes at 9:30pm. Singles, doubles, and triples US$40/80/120 during high season, US$35/70/105 during low season. AmEx/MC/V/US$/¢.
Club Internacional Bella Vista (☎2454 4407 or 2454 1347), in the hills above Sarchí Norte, 2km north of the stadium in La Luisa. Peaceful cabins offer beautiful views of the valley at an excellent price. Amenities include spacious, private hot-water baths, TV, and free access to the pool across the street. Perfect for families; the cabins house up to 4 people. Cabins US$10-20. MC/V/US$/¢.

Food

There are three supermarkets in Sarchí Norte. Supermercado El Pequeño Super is 50m northeast of the parque central on the main road. (☎2454 4136. Open M-Sa 7am-9pm, Su 7am-6pm.) Supermercado El Parque is on the west side of the parque central. (☎2454 4588. Open daily 7am-8pm.) Palí is just past Super Mariscos. (Open M-F 9am-7pm, Sa 8am-7:30pm, Su 9am-3pm.)

La Finca (☎2454 1602), downhill behind the Cooperativa de Artesanias in Sarchí Norte. Enjoy quality comida típica on the covered patio while looking out over a small valley. Try the tico chicken breast with rice, beans, potatoes, and bananas (¢3700) or stick with seafood by starting with a ceviche cocktail (¢1600-2500) and enjoying the 3-sauce sea bass for a main course. Open daily 8am-6pm. AmEx/MC/V/US$/¢.
Super Mariscos (☎2454 4330), in Sarchí Norte, 200m northeast of the parque central and across from the ICE. No-frills Mariscos delights with good seafood, meat dishes, and a fish tank featuring your future meal. Ceviches ¢2300-5599. Corvina ¢2600-4600. Shrimp dishes ¢4900-12,100. Open Tu-Su 11am-10pm. MC/V/US$/¢.
Delicias del Mar (☎2454 4213), in Sarchí Norte, across from the Cooperativa de Artesanias. If the name doesn’t give away the menu at this neighborhood joint, the oceanic mural covering the walls surely will. The friendly owners, José and Ronald, specialize in seafood but serve a few chicken (¢2500) and beef (¢4600) dishes, as well. Seafood pastas ¢4500. Sea bass ¢2500-5000. Open daily 11am-10pm. MC/V/US$/¢.
Las Carretas (☎2454 1633; www.rcarretas.com), in Sarchí Sur, next to the Joaquín Chaverri factory. Serves comida típica for breakfast and lunch (¢1000-2600), but transitions to Italian for dinner with spaghetti (¢2900-6500) and meats (¢4400-6500). Uses oxcarts as buffet tables and has a garden view. Groups of 15-20 call in advance for a US$10-13 multi-course buffet. Open daily 9am-11pm. AmEx/MC/V/US$/¢.
Club Internacional Bella Vista (☎2454 1347), in Sarchí Norte, 2km north of the stadium. Appropriately named Bella Vista, this large restaurant and nightclub is perched atop a hill above the town and offers a perfect view of Sarchí, Grecia, and San José. Serves a variety of comida típica and more international food. Salad ¢2000. Beef tenderloin ¢4700. Corvina ¢4400-5200. Shrimp ¢4800. Mixed drinks ¢1500. Open M-Th and Su 11am-10pm, F-Sa 11am-11pm. MC/V/US$/¢.
Restaurante El Río (☎2454 4980), in Sarchí Norte, next to the bridge over the Río Trojas. The dining room has walls of windows looking into the forest. Serves pasta, seafood, and rice dishes (¢2500-2800). Sells crafts in its centro turístico. Filet mignon in mushroom sauce ¢5200. Open daily from 10am to 9 or 10pm. AmEx/MC/V/US$/¢.

Sights And Shopping

Cooperativa De Artesanias. This group of shops has a huge selection of souvenirs, T-shirts, Café Britt products, and jewelry. Furniture is located on the lower level, as well as the ground floor. ( ☎2454 4196. 200m north of the soccer field on the main road in Sarchí Norte. Open M-F 8am-6pm, Sa-Su 9am-6pm. AmEx/D/MC/V/US$/¢.)

Plaza De Artesanía. A small shopping center jam-packed with arts and crafts, including leatherwork, jewelry, woodwork, textiles, ceramics, paintings, and furniture. This area caters to tourists, and although it is quite commercial, it’s worth a look. Independent artists and companies have stores in the plaza. (Located on the main street in Sarchí Sur. Most stores are open 8 or 9am to 6pm.)

Fabrica De Carretas Joaquín Chaverri. Dating back to 1903, this is one of the biggest carreta factories and showrooms in the country. Woodcutters deftly shape massive cart parts while specially selected artists paint the days away in the open-air workshop. Enjoy music, coffee, fruits, and juices, and ask master craftsman Carlos Chaverri (the son of Joaquín) to autograph his work. (☎2454 4411; www.sarchicostarica.net. 22” carts US$202, shipping US$40; 32” carts US$326, shipping US$69. Also has a booth in the Plaza de Artesanía. Open daily 8am-6pm.)

Joyería Monse’S. One of the only stores around that makes pre-Columbian replicas with fine stones. (In the Plaza de Artesanía, Local 12. ☎2454 4722. Wooden necklaces US$15. Small, gold-colored earrings US$5 and up. Open daily 9am-6pm. MC/V/US$/¢.)

Kientzler Botanical Garden. If you tire of shopping, visit the serene environment at the Else Kientzler Botanical Garden. The garden is run by a German who specializes in the cultivation and sale of tropical ornamental plants. Follow the well-marked trails past orchid, fruit tree, bromeliad, and cactus collections. The gardens are exquisitely manicured, and every plant is labeled. Children will enjoy the play area and hibiscus maze. Pack a lunch and have a midday meal on top of one of the garden’s elevated picnic platforms. Information packets available in English, German, and Spanish. (☎2242 2070; www.elsegarden.com. 1km out of Sarchi Norte on the road past the Palí supermarket. US$12, students US$6, children 5-12 US$6. Guided tours available with reservation for US$12 per hr.)

Entertainment

It’s hard to find the locals out at night in Sarchí, but there are spots for tourists looking to have a good time. Check out a few places in the Plaza de La Artesanía in Sarchí Sur or head up into the hills to the Bella Vista Resort.

Club Internacional Bella Vista Sarchí (☎2454 4512), in Sarchí Norte, 2km north of the stadium in La Luisa. Large windows provide a great view of the valley. The dance floor opens up on F for karaoke and live music (7-11pm). Beer ¢800. Mixed drinks ¢1500. The pool outside has a waterslide. Pool open daily 9am-5pm. ¢1000, kids ¢700.
Disco Scratch (☎2454 4580), upstairs from Restaurante Helechos. A great place to see the local dance scene. Cover ¢1500; F 8-10pm ¢1000 for men, women free. Sa ladies’ night, women open bar, men 1 drink included. Open F-Su 8pm-late.
Bar La Troja del Abuelo (☎2454 4973), at the back of the Plaza de Artesanía. Has pool tables and a TV. Popular with locals and tourists alike for drinks and conversation. The attached restaurant offers hearty fare for tourist-milking prices. Tomato cow tongue ¢4800. Steak ¢4800-5200. Beer ¢850. Mixed drinks ¢1500. Open daily 10:30am-2:30am. Upstairs bar open 6pm-2:30am. AmEx/MC/V/US$/¢.