On a recent trip to Costa Rica, I had the pleasure of staying for two nights near the San Jose' international Airport in a cozy little bed and breakfast " Belen Suites", while waiting for my flight, back home.

Very reasonably priced, contrary to other small hotels (Holiday Inn Express at $150 per night for example), Belen Suites is a five minutes drive from the airport, if you take the scenic route. Three minutes drive, if you have to make a flight in a hurry. It is a brand new hotel.

The Belen Suites is a hidden gem, because it does not appear on major travel sites for some reason. The owner/ proprietor/ chief cook and bottle washer is a sweet woman, Ely. Ely hails from Queens, New York, where she worked most of her life as a RN. Ely is about as resoucre ful as one can get in Costa Rica, because she is a native.

During my stay, I needed a dentist's appointment within two hours. Ely arranged it. Needed some laundry done. Ely, of course! I... more