I thought it would be interesting to show all the businesses and institutions that face the four sides of Atenas Central Park. So today I walked around all these trees facing out and photographing each establishment, starting with the church and going counter-clockwise. South side, east side, north side and then west side.
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The city recently thinned out the trees & painted bases & benches.
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
SOUTH SIDE OF PARK
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Catholic ChurchSouth Side of Park, Facing North, (which doesn’t match stories about
Costa Rica churches facing west so worshippers face east to Jerusalem)
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
EAST SIDE OF PARK
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La Cafeteria – The Coffee Shop
Plus 3 other shops in corner building across from church
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
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Tribunales de Justicia, Court House
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
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Photography Shop
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
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Discount Groceries (Chinese store)
This is in location of what was the largest Bar/Restaurant in Centro
But a lack of business and illegal activities closed them down.
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
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A Dress Shop
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
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A busy Bakery on left + 3 little shops
Bakery is only place to get coffee at 5 AM + Bus Stop is there!
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
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And the next corner is an expensive Young Adult Clothing Shop
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
NORTH SIDE OF PARK
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POP’S Ice Cream & Bar Punga
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
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Unknown Office Building & Shoe Repair Shop
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
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Mattress & Bedding Shop
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
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A Lunch Only Soda
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
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Florist Downstairs & Apartment Upstairs
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
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Banco Nacional – My Bank
The other 2 banks are about a block away and notice
the long line at the ATM at left, typical everywhere here. |
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Pizzeria Olivera – The most popular Pizza for Ticos.
Most expats prefer the thin crust pizza at La Finca a block away.
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
WEST SIDE OF PARK
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City Hall
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
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I think it is an addition to the City Hall – Brand New!
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
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Women & Children’s Clothing + Fabrics & Patterns to Make Your Own
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
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University Extension Classes Here
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
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Clothing Store & Pharmacy
The center of town at Calle 0 and Avenida 0
Atenas Central Park, Costa Rica |
One block down that street above to the right is the other big commercial area with the Central Market, Bus Station, 3 furniture stores, hardware store, 3 super markets, many clothing shops, gift shops, office supply, and our best discount store El Rayo, like a big dollar store in the states with cheap Chinese stuff. There is actually more shopping going on there than around Central Park. Maybe a post on that someday.
You can get most things you really need here, just not always American brands. The rich Americans who can’t adapt to other cultures drive their big cars to Alajuela and San Jose where there are shopping havens like being in the states. The Escazu suburb of San Jose is the “little USA” for shopping and dining. I don’t like that but do get a few things I really like at Alajuela Pricesmart or Walmart and very rarely at the big City Mall in Alajuela. All by bus and taxi.
I just ran across one of our local Realtor’s
“Top Ten Reasons Expats Retire in Atenas” that I thought you guys thinking about retiring here might be interested in. Of course this guy is trying to sell you property, so read it through that filter! And he particularly markets to wealthy Americans.
And if you haven’t seen the latest Atenas PR video, it is not commercial:
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