As Costa Rica’s main point of entry, the Central Valley offers visitors easy access to a wide variety of cultural and natural attractions. From emerald green rainforests to colonial landmarks, concerts and theatre – the Valley has it all!
Nestled within the valley’s verdant hills and mountains, San José, Costa Rica’s sprawling capital city, is home to numerous hotels, multinational corporations, shops, restaurants, and the country’s finest cultural attractions, including the architectural jewel of Costa Rica: the National Theater. Also of note are the Gold, Jade and National Museums, which feature impressive displays of Costa Rica’s cultural heritage. At 2,900 feet above sea level, the city boasts a spring-like climate year around and is an ideal launching point for visiting the rest of the country.
The Central Valley also harbors some of the country’s most visited national parks, including Poás, Braulio Carrillo, Irazú and Turrialba, which feature the region’s main volcanoes. Visitors will find the roads and park infrastructure well maintained, allowing for quick and convenient access to stunning natural landscapes, majestic craters and exotic rain forests.
San José is the seat of most government services; however, the provincial capitals—Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago—offer a variety of quality commercial and tourism services.
As the country’s most visited region, the Central Valley features a number of extraordinarily beautiful areas rich in natural delights, history and tradition. These include the Orosi Valley with its panoramic views, historic churches and lush coffee plantations; Sarchí, home to a thriving crafts industry; and the pre-Columbian ruins of Guayabo National Park near Turrialba. In addition, several tour operators offer exciting white water rafting and canopy tours, as well as visits to the nearby volcanoes.
The rural towns, for their part, are highly picturesque, and offer a glimpse of old Costa Rica, with their quaint houses of bahareque (a building material similar to adobe but made of cattle dung and straw), large coffee plantations, sugar mills and dairies.
Travelers will have no problem finding a varied supply of accommodation options – both in price and quality. These include quaint inns, located in and around San Jose’s cultural district, idyllic hilltop retreats, offering majestic views of the Central Valley, budget hostels and well-known international hotel chains.
