Costa Rica

Climate: Perfect- warm and sunny, breezy from December until February or March

Average Temperature: 75°F with 75% humidity

See Central Valley Weather Region

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San Jose Region: Best Known For.....

Places to See in the San Jose Region

Things to Do in the San Jose Region


This is where most vacations in Costa Rica begin and end. Geographically located in the middle of the country, the Central Valley Tourism Region consists of the areas in and around the city of San José, including the Juan Santa Maria International airport and the province of San José, and parts of the Alajuela, Cartago and Heredia Provinces.  This region is part of the central valley weather region and has an ideal tropical climate. 

This area also includes the major cities of Heredia, Cartago, and Alajuela, and includes several of the most popular volcanoes, Irazu and Poas, along with the Braulio Carrillo National Park.

San Jose City, known simply as San Jose, was designated the capital of Costa Rica in 1835. The capital is nestled in the fertile “Valle Central” (Central Valley) and surrounded on all sides by large forested mountain ranges, some of which include active volcanoes, perennially green savannahs and working coffee plantations.

San Jose is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with all the conveniences of other modern cities - department stores, Internet cafes, shopping malls, fast food chains and universities.  It is also home to excellent fresh food markets, museums and gardens, city parks and restaurants.  Nightlife in the city is always present with the numerous bars, restaurants, casinos, discos and theatres. 

Heredia is a smaller city and home to the National University of Costa Rica.  Heredia is now the capital of the province of Heredia.  Heredia is a smaller city than San José, but still offers all the amenities that the big city has to offer (markets, shopping, historical landmarks, restaurants & bars and central parks).

Cartago, the original capital of Costa Rica until 1823, is the provincial capital of the province of the same name. There are many historical monuments and buildings in this old city.  Rich in Pre-Columbian history, Cartago  also has many well-known ancient churches.  Only 30 minutes from here is the Irazú Volcano and its twin giant, the Turrialba Volcano. 

Alajuela is also an old city marked with ancient trees and an impressive central park.  Here, too, are a central market, museums and other landmarks of historical interest.  The province of Alajuela is home to several national parks and private reserves including a butterfly farm, zoo and several plant nurseries.

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The Central Valley Tourism Region is best known for:

Hiking in the rainforest, volcano tours, coffee plantation tours whitewater rafting, museums and gardens, and canopy tours

Hot Spots: San Jose City, Heredia, Cartago, Alajuela, Irazu Volcano, Poas Volcano National Park, Braulio Carrillo National Park   

Places to See:

Museums & Gardens:
La Paz Waterfall and Gardens, Doka Coffee Estate (Travel Blog), INBioparque (Travel Blog), Lankaster Gardens, Fraijanes Recreational Park, Zoo Ave, The Butterfly Farm (Travel Blog),

See Also: San Jose museums

Popular National Parks and Reserves:

Braulio Carrillo National Park, Tapanti National Park, Irazu National Park, Poas Volcano National Park, Guayabo National Monument, Turrialba National Park, Rio Macho Forest Reserve, Los Santos Forest Reserve, Central Volcanic Forest Reserve, Cerro las Vueltas Biological Reserve

Other Protected Areas: Cerro las Vueltas Biological Reserve, Cuenca Rio Tuis Protected Zone, Rio Navarro Rio Sombrero Protected Zone, Cerros de la Carpintera Protected Zone, Rio Tiribí Protected Zone, Cerros de Escazú Protected Zone, El Rodeo Protected Zone, Caraigres Protected Zone, Cerro de La Cangreja Protected Zone,  Cerro Atenas Protected Zone, Rio Grande Protected Zone, El Chayote Protected Zone,  Rio Toro Protected Zone, Grecia Forest Reserve,  Bosque Alegre Wildlife Refuge, La Selva Protected Zone,  Cerros de la Carpintera Protected Zone, Cerros de Turrubares Protected Zone,  Surtubal Wildlife Refuge, Fernando Castro Cervantes Wildlife Refuge,  Finca Hacienda La Avellana Wildlife Refuge, Cerro Chompipe Protected Zone.

Volcanoes:

Barva Volcano , Cacho Negro Volcano,  Congo Volcano, Irazu Volcano, La Platanar Volcano, Poas Volcano, Porvenir Volcano, Turrialba Volcano, El Viejo Volcano  

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Things to Do:

Air Activities: canopy tours, bungee jumping

Land Activities: hiking, tennis, golfing, theatre, dining, dancing, horseback riding, casino gambling, mountain biking

Water Activities: whitewater rafting & tubing

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Read our San Jose Region Travel Blogs:

San Jose / Alajuela Day Trips: (May 2007)

• Lankester Gardens, Orosi Valley and Irazu Volcano
  
• Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens and the Sarapiqui River
• Sarchi and Grecia
  
• The Butterfly Farm
  
• Doka Estate Coffee Tour 

 INBioparque, San Jose - (December 2005)