Today I wanna tell you about a hidden gem of a town called Grecia. It was at one point voted the “Cleanest Town in Latin America,” which is saying something. I mean, have you seen some of the other towns in Latin America? But I digress.
Grecia is a little slice of heaven tucked away in the Central Valley. It’s far away from the chaos and commotion of the big cities, which means it’s a quiet place to relax and unwind. The center of town is this gorgeous Catholic church, Iglesia de la Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, which is made entirely of prefabricated steel. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Steel? In a church?” But trust me, it works. And it’s one of the most unique churches in the whole country.
Right next to the church is this big ol’ park where you can sit back and watch the world go by. And let me tell you, the birds around here are something else. Exotic and colorful, they’ll leave you mesmerized. In the middle of the park, there’s a band shell where they put on some pretty sweet performances. From rock bands to the town’s youth orchestra, they’ve got it all.
Grecia is a farming town, which means they’ve got some of the freshest produce and coffee you’ve ever tasted. And let’s not forget the sugarcane and citrus. These folks know how to grow some good stuff. And they’re friendly too! They love to party and celebrate during the holidays.
The downtown area is always bustling with activity. You’ve got residents doing their shopping and going about their business. And if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of some expats and ticos (that’s what the Costa Ricans call themselves) driving through town. But most people live outside of downtown in these cool little communities that are just a short drive away. They’ve got all the conveniences of town without any of the traffic. And if you’re feeling adventurous, there are these ridges that run for about 10 miles out of town. They’ve got the coolest temperatures and the best views. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
