Updated September, 2022

If you haven’t been to destination Upper Buena Vista, go. And if you’ve been before, go back as there are a number of new boutiques and eateries (and more on the way) at this lifestyle destination that’s definitely not your same old, same old shopping mall or area.  Picture this: lush vegetation and huge trees including an 80 year old banyan tree, their leafy canopies almost embracing the single story shops resembling Japanese temples, thatched roof huts , and expansive windows that allow you to look into the fashion  finds inside.Then there are the complementary services – food,  cryotherapy, hair, nails ,  and more. Here’s a rundown of Upper Buena Vista attractions with a short description of each.

The centerpiece of Upper Buena Vista is the Vista restaurant with an all day menu, special brunch and happy hour. It offers dining indoors and in a lovely, inviting outdoor garden courtyard with lush plantings and bamboo. It’s a good Italian menu and offers reasonable prices, with most dishes in the twenties and thirties. There’s also a happy hour and a  rooftop bar with DJ on Thursday to Saturday.

In a setting with a bamboo wall and colorful jungle printed wallpaper, Amazonica offers up Colombian favorites including cholados, shaved ice topped with natural fruit, and obleas, super thin wafers filled with your choice of everything from Nutella and arequipe to nuts, chocolate, and marshmallows.  To further get you in the mood, there’s some serious salsa music.

House of Findings is all about vintage – global (a robe from the 1970’s in Afghanistan), upcycle (meaning it’s redone), and handmade.  Every era from Victorian thorough the 1990’s is represented. Find everything from clothes, handbags and shoes to jewelry and hats that change with the season. Then there are the beaded Mata Hari style clothes worthy of a movie set. The décor alone is worth a visit, with its beaded lamp shades, mannequins decorated with broaches, the objets and boudoir like ambiance.

Sweet Epico is a welcome addition for sweet tooths. The owner and pastry chef has a pedigree that includes the Fontainebleau Hotel which is a serious credential in my book. Find everything from French pastries and cake pops to layer cakes, soft ice cream and smoothies.

Finca’s offers up all matter of coffees, from  espresso varieties to French press, Chemex and Clever (a kind of brewed coffee)using Honduran coffee beans. Their coffee comes from their own farms. Want a pastry? Local artisan bakers keep them supplied with pound cakes and breakfast pastries. Wellness drinks too.

Clara8A features fashions from its namesake brand and Infinita, both  Colombian designers. They are made from recycled plastic bottles. CLARA8A designer and shop co-owner Freddy creates his own fabrics and describes his designs as “the reflection of our most colorful, risky and confident side where there are no limits or fear.”Find everything from kimonos and shirts to dresses, blouses, and scarves, mini bags and belts. They show print on print. You can go all out wearing multiple pieces, each a different print and colors, or choose one, teaming it up with a solid color.

Wanahat is well worth a stop for its handmade hats from Ecuador including a model with a paintbrush, adorable shorts, beach coverups, long dresses and more, all from Latin American designers.

Bosque is an eclectic store, selling everything from Kathe Cuervo  handmade jewelry that’s simple and practical and made to wear every day, bonsai and house plants and Japanese stationery to nail stickers and — loved this, greeting cards made with seeds so you can plant them.

There are a number of other shops and eateries including a smoke shop, crytotherapy, nail and hair salon, meditation center, several popups and more.