ESCAZU, COSTA RICA

THE TOWN

Escazú, officially San Miguel de Escazú, is the capital city of the canton of Escazú (61,000 inhabitants) in the province of San José in Costa Rica. It is also the name of the district that includes the city of Escazu.

The city lies at an elevation of 1,101 meters above sea level on the northeast slopes of the Cerros de Escazú, 9 kilometers west of the national capital city of San José. The climate is moist tropical: it is not unknown for Escazú to experience rainfall on a day in which San José is dry and sunny. November and December frequently bring high winds.

Over the past couple of decades Escazú has become an expatriate enclave: several embassies have their residences located here, including the residence of the US Ambassador and the British Ambassador. The past few years have seen a significant influx of newly arrived foreigners from North America, South America and Europe. It is home to many bars and restaurants, especially those of the more chic (and expensive) variety. Rents and prices reflect this and Escazú along with Santa Ana is the most well-known upscale location in Costa Rica. Here one can find a car wash, an English movie theatre, and a luxurious country club. There are also many fine restaurants and dining areas in this part of town, with an excellent nightlife. Banks, pharmacies, shops, grocery stores and even an 18-hole championship golf course can be found here, along with one of the biggest and most modern shopping malls in Central America, Multiplaza.

Many locations in the canton are prized for their scenic outlooks. This zone is one of the most developed parts in the metropolitan area, populated by families with high incomes and many apartment blocks and residential areas. The US ambassador to Costa Rica has his residence in Escazu.

THE MULTIPLAZA MALL

The Mall Multiplaza, the biggest mall in Costa Rica, as well as PriceSmart (Costco) and Office Depot, are located in Escazu. The mall is home to over 340 businesses, a large food court, modern movie theaters showing North American movies in English, banks and financial institutions, department stores, restaurants and over 1,000 parking spaces. In October 2009, Multiplaza Escazú unveiled its "quinta etapa" (fifth stage) with the expansion of its floor area to include 86 stores, a new department store and more than 1.000 new parking spaces. The main focus of the expansion is the introduction of the Simán department store that is from Salvador and a host of other "pioneer" stores making their debut in Costa Rica for the first time such as Carolina Herrera, Hugo Boss, Salvatore Ferragamo Massimo Dutti, Furla, Armani & Change y Mario Hernández as well as other franchise stores related to technology, fashion, entertainment, gastronomy, beauty and accessories. Multiplaza Escazú first opened its doors in 1993 and grew to a total floor space of 41.000 square metres. With the latest addition the total floor space is 68.000 square metres and 2.600 parking spaces, 60% of which are covered parking. The major stores in Multiplaza Escazú are Cemaco, Palacio de Moda, Zara and Carrión. Automercado supermarket and Cinermark multi screen theatre attract customers to the mall. Multiplaza Escazu is part of a larger complex of commercial centers that also hosts the Hotel Real Intercontinental, Plaza Roble and Edificio Meridiano, home to the central offices of the HSBC bank in Costa Rica.

THE CIMA HOSPITAL

The CIMA hospital in Escazu, a frequent choice of expatriates, and the Clinica Biblica, a Tulane University affiliate both offer medical care with mostly English speaking staff and accept most North American medical insurance plans.

THE HIGHWAY

The San José - Escazu - Santa Ana - Ciudad Colon - Orotina - Caldera highway has been in the planning and construction stage for almost 30 years. It wasn't until two years ago that the Autopistas del Sol, a Spanish consortium, was given the concession to complete the $230 million project and charge tolls to recover its investment. There is a toll of aproximately $2.50. The highway was officially inaugurated in January 2010. Drive time to the nearest beaches on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica is approximately 60 minutes.

EDUCATION

There is a variety of private bilingual schools (i.e. Country Day School, Blue Valley School, St. Mary's School, Mountview School, West College) within short driving distance serving the international population of the Central Valley. Many are accredited by U.S.—based associations of colleges and schools and focus on the American High School Diploma program and a wide range of Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate courses along with the Costa Rican national curriculum. Most of these schools offer the full range of programs starting at the pre-school level all the way through to university preparatory programs.

SPORTS

There are plenty of excellent gyms in Escazu as well as public sports facilities. For the more demanding individuals and families, there is the Costa Rica Country Club, an elite social club with a wide range of sports facilities including tennis courts and a private golf course.