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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

  • Although the transfers were quite long the mix between eg driving and taking a boat were good and made us feel we really saw the country. 

    ME May 2011
  • There were so many highlights it is difficult to single one out. The wildlife, around hotel gardens etc and not just in the reserves, was particularly impressive. Viewing it from…

    VC, South croydon Feb 2018
  • 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
  • Highlight?: The wildlife - watching the turtles lay eggs and a swimming sloth.

    ID, London Aug 2018
  • Most Memorable Moment?: There are a few but being so close to wildlife during the journey was amazing!!!

    JW, London Aug 2016
  • 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
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Our Expert's Opinion

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.

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Sallly
    Sally Dodge - Travel Expert

    A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.

  • 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.

  • Charlotte
    Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

    Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

  • Finn Clennett
    Finn Clennett - Travel Expert

  • 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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