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Central Valley Activities |
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 Outside the big cities, in the Central Valley's rural zone, getting about on horseback is commonplace. Tourists can enjoy this activity in communities such as Turrialba, Santa María de Dota, Atenas, Zarcero, San Ramón, Palmares, upper Cartago, Heredia and Alajuela, as well as in the south and west parts of San José: Escazú, Santa Ana and Ciudad Colón, among other places.and more. |
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Costa Rica, Central Valley Hiking
There is no limit to the variety of hikes available for observing the region's natural, historical, architectural, cultural, religious and commercial attractions. |
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Costa Rica, Central Valley Recreational Cycling
The region offers a variety of picturesque roads and adventure or leisure sites that allow touring on regular or mountain bikes. Interesting routes include San Antonio de Escazú to the University for Peace, Turrialba to La Suiza, and Cañón del Guarco to Copey de Dota.
Costa Rica, Central Valley Shopping |
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In recent years, a variety of new shopping centers have been developed in Curridabat, Zapote, downtown Alajuela, | |
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Escazú and Heredia, offering interesting shopping options for international tourists.
Costa Rica, Central Valley Shopping Art Galleries
Art galleries have experienced a significant increase in recent years, not only in tourist and hotel districts but also in major commercial centers. Examples of Costa Rican art may be seen in cultural houses and in all the provincial capitals. In association with the Ministry of Culture, a few municipalities have created Culture Offices to discover local artists, which has encouraged an increase in artistic endeavors.
Costa Rica, Central Valley Architectural and Historic Sites |
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The Central Valley contains a wide variety of sites and buildings declared National
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Monuments or of architectural or historical interest to appeal to tourists appreciative of the country's national heritage.
Costa Rica, Central Valley Spelunking
The cavern system in the outskirts of Patarrá offers adventure and the chance to learn about the fossils found in the mountain.
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Costa Rica, Central Valley Cuisine
Many modern shopping centers and typical towns have restaurants and sodas (small, usually family-run restaurants serving local food) where visitors can sample Costa Rican cuisine. Communities with traditions in traditional food and drink include Zarcero, Ciudad Quesada, Santa María de Dota, Aserrí, La Garita, Poasito de Alajuela, Monte de la Cruz, Heredia, Pacayas de Alvarado, Santa Cruz de Turrialba, Atenas, Orosí and Grecia, as well as El Empalme, La Trinidad and Copey.
Costa Rica, Central Valley Plant ans Wild Life Observation
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Visitors can observe nature and wildlife in several public protected areas, such as Braulio Carrillo, Volcán Poás and Tapantí-Macizo de la Muerte, as well as in the |
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Lankester Botanical Garden, the Simón Bolívar Zoo, the Santa Ana National Zoo and the zoo in La Garita de Alajuela. Added to these, a few theme parks offer enjoyable experiences with nature.
Costa Rica, Central Valley Sugar Mills
Sugar mills are used for one of the most traditional processes in the country: manufacturing products from sugar cane. Mostly located in rural areas, sugar mills are places where entire families get their livelihood, and where grandfathers, parents and children alike participate in the work. Old sugar mills in good working condition are found in Piedades Norte, Bajos de la Paz and San Ramón de Alajuela; some of these are powered by oxen. Water-powered mills can be found in San Antonio de Escazú, Jaris de Mora and Grecia. Several sugar mills have been converted into tourist attractions for travelers wanting to try sugary treats such as perico, sobado and espumas, breathe in the sweet aroma or learn about the production process.
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Costa Rica, Central Valley Museums  |
The most culturally and historically diverse selection of museums in the country are located in this region, including the National Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art and Design, Children's Museum, Museum of Costa Rican Art, Gold Museum, Popular Culture
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Costa Rica, Central Valley Bird Watching
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The Central Valley offers several bird-watching sites, including Copey de Dota and Macizo de la Muerte on the southern Interamerican highway, El Rodeo Protected Area, the environs of the University for Peace, the Tapantí area, Paraíso and the upper regions of Coronado.
Treetop and Trail Adventures |
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Several companies and organizations have developed facilities for visitors to enjoy adventure activities on nature trails and in the forest canopy: | |
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INBIO in Santo Domingo de Heredia; the Central American Livestock Farming School in Balsa de Atenas; the TURU BA-RI Tropical Park in Turrubares, which has facilities with an ecotourism focus,gardens with exotic species, a herbarium, a garden maze and butterfly garden; and the Butterfly Garden in the outskirts of Varablanca, with trails between several waterfalls on the Río La Paz, a hummingbird garden and butterfly garden. |
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Photography
Photography is a promising activity thanks to the varied cultural, architectural and scenic options available, as well as the wealth of flora and fauna, waterfalls, rivers, volcanoes, coffee and sugarcane plantations and dairies.
Language Training
As a complement to the tourist activities available in the Central Valley, language training is offered in some state universities, as well as through a few private institutions and travel agencies. Courses may be taken not only in the capital but also in towns such as San Isidro de Coronado, Ciudad Colón and Paraíso.
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Butetrfly and Snake Gardens
Visitors to these places can observe a variety of butterfly species or learn about the natural history of snakes. There are gardens in San José, Heredia and Turrialba. |
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Train Ride to the Pacific
Tourists can take the train from San José to the Pacific on the "Paseo en Tren a la Tica" departing for Caldera every Saturday and Sunday at six a.m. This unique activity started up a few years ago after a group of friends had the idea to somehow revive those unforgettable train trips that started in 1910, when the María Cecilia locomotive first began direct train service between San José and Puntarenas. With a total capacity of 130 passengers, the train departs at six on the nose. The route has not changed; behind the tracks are the Numar factory, La Sabana, Pavas and Belén. Loitering in the aisles is not permitted, as vendors pass through selling coffee and refreshments, followed by newspapers, oranges, mangos and sweets. At Río Grande, a serenade begins and is repeated from car to car. The Cambalache tunnel indicates the train's approach to Mata de Limón, and at ten a.m. it arrives at its last stop: Puerto Caldera.
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Cultural Activities
In the provincial capitals, especially on Sundays at around ten a.m., concerts by the National Bands of Cartago, Heredia, Alajuela and San José may be enjoyed. This traditional activity normally takes place in the Central Park of each province. In addition, throughout the year communities celebrate historical, religious, sporting, civic and artistic events, and hold fairs to raise funds for community development.
JANUARY.
First week. Copa del Café International Tennis Tournament.
Weekend closest to the 10th. Public Festivals, Alajuelita.
First half of January. Palmares public festivals.
Latter half of January. La Naranja Expo-fair, Ciudad Colón.
All month. Quetzal-watching, Macizo de la Muerte.
FEBRUARY.
Second weekend in February. Macizo Tourism Expo-fair, Copey de Dota.
All month. Quetzal-watching, Macizo de la Muerte.
MARCH.
Día del Boyero, San Antonio de Escazú.
Onion fair, Centro Agrícola Cantonal, Santa Ana.
San José Obrero Artisan Fair, San José.
Llano Grande Costa Rican flower festival, Cartago.
All month. Quetzal-watching, Macizo de la Muerte.
APRIL.
Hero Juan Santamaría Tourism Expo-fair, civic cultural celebration, Alajuela.
Last weekend in April. Café Los Santos Tourism Expo-fair.
Last week. Outdoor Art Exhibition, San Rafael de Escazú.
All month. Quetzal-watching, Macizo de la Muerte.
MAY.
Labor Day.
Feast of San Isidro Labrador, San Isidro de Heredia, Coronado, San José, Tierra Blanca, Pacayas and San Isidro de Grecia.
EXPOTUR, International Tourism Exchange.
All month. Quetzal-watching, Macizo de la Muerte.
JUNE.
All month starting on the 5th. Madre Fértil-Tierra Nuestra Environmental Festival.
All month. Quetzal-watching, Macizo de la Muerte.
JULY.
International Brass and Trombone Festival of Costa Rica.
Second week, Thursday. EXPO-OSA TURISMO, Tourism Marketing Exchange, San José.
AGUST.
Pilgrimage to Cartago.
Virgin of the Angels Day.
First week. Cheese Expo-fair, Santa Cruz de Turrialba.
National Parks Day.
Last weekend of August. Procession of the Saints, San Ramón de Alajuela.
SETEMBER.
Lantern parade.
Costa Rican Independence Day.
Feasts of Archangels San Miguel, San Gabriel and San Rafael.
Orosí Colonial Tourism Expo-fair, Cartago.
OCTUBER.
Cultures Day.
International Bowling Tournament, La Raza Tournament.
Latter half of October. Manos Creadoras National Handicrafts Fair.
Feast of San Rafael in San Rafael de Poás, San Rafael de Heredia, San Rafael de Oreamuno and San Rafael de Escazú.
NOVEMBER.
Last week. Fair in Atenas.
Third weekend in November. Rural Tourism Fair.
Last Saturday in November. Procession of the Saints and ox-drover parade.
La Ruta de los Conquistadores mountain-bike race.
DECEMBER.
Army Abolition Day.
Nativity scene inauguration and Christmas carol week, National Theater.
Christmas festival, CENAC.
First weekend in December. Coffee Expo-fair, Cachi, Cartago.
Second weekend in December. Outdoor Art Festival, San Pedro.
Second Saturday. Festival of Light, San José.
San José public festivals.
San José carnival.
Tope Nacional horse parade.
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Rural Tourism Activities and Services
Rural tourism activities and services offered in the Central Valley and their | |
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corresponding locations within the region are as follows: A wide variety of attractions and activities are offered around La Cangreja Lodge in Puriscal, one kilometer south of Mastatal.
Activities: Nature-trail hiking, visits to a sugar mill, horseback riding to Del Rey waterfalls or La Cangreja hill, tobacco tours, visits to the Quitirrisi Indigenous Reservation.
San José Rural Lodge, located three kilometers east of the Escuela de Palmichal de Acosta, offers several activities and attractions.
Activities: Trips through a 42-hectare preserve, visits to a coffee refinery, bicycle tours and visits to the Quitirrisi Indigenous Reservation.
Located 15 kilometers northwest of San Ramón in Bajo La Paz, Bajo La Paz Student Hostel allows guests to enjoy nature and communal life.
Activities: Trails through primary and secondary forest, horseback rides to Las Placas hill, visits to sugar mills and waterfalls and trout fishing.
La Flor de Paraíso Tropical Agro-ecology Farm and Language School is located in the community of La Flor, in Paraíso de Cartago.
Activities: Tours of the property, with farm animals, organic crops, forest in regeneration, a crafts workshop, botanical garden and sugar mill.
Copal Lodge is located six kilometers from Humo de Pejibaye, Jiménez; the last stretch of road requires an all-terrain vehicle.
Activities: Forest trail hiking and bird-watching, visits to the sugar mill, horseback and oxcart rides. |
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