 General Information:
Location: 40 miles east of San Jose
Weather: Moderate to warm days, cool at night. The rainy season runs from May through November.
Temperatures: 65-85° F year round
Altitude: 2135 feet above sea level
Read more about the Central Valley Tourism Region
Read our Central Valley adventures on our travel blog
About:
Nestled among the lush green hills of the Central Valley, Turrialba is known for its beautiful mountains, rich shade-grown coffee and its whitewater rafting opportunities, said to be the best in Central America.
Turrialba was once a flourishing town and a direct stop on the train that ran between San Jose and the southern Caribbean hamlet of Puerto Viejo. In 1991, a terrible earthquake destroyed Costa Rica’s rail system, and Turrialba residents lost much of their trading income. Instead of mourning its fate, the town went back to its coffee roots, and today produces some of the best beans in the world.
In addition to the coffee trade, the nearby Reventazon and Pacuare Rivers have gained significant popularity among kayakers and whitewater rafters, and are considered among the finest rapids in the world. Flanking the rushing rivers, the town sits in the shadow of the active Turrialba Volcano, a solemn reminder of nature’s power.
Places to See:Guayabo National Monument – Costa Rica’s largest archaeological site was once home to more than 20,000 people. Remains of their intricate and sophisticated architecture and infrastructure are slowly being unearthed.
CATIE – One of the world's foremost tropical agricultural research centers. The facility measures almost 2,500 acres, and houses beautiful botanical gardens, an extensive library and some of the best agricultural research centers in the region.
Turrialba Volcano – This looming giant erupted in 2008, sending town residents from their homes. Recent activity in January 2010 prompted a local evacuation. The park is currently open to volcanologists and scientists only.
Things to Do:
Thrill-seekers will love whitewater rafting and kayaking down the Pacuare River’s class IV rapids or the high-volume Reventazon River, which has both class II-III and class IV rapids, depending on the season and site. For a more mellow experience, river-runners can choose to meander down the Corobici River (class I-II) or Pejibaye River (class II) on a leisurely wildlife watching expedition.
After the 2008 and 2010 eruptions, Turrialba Volcano National Park was closed to visitors. Volcanologists study the volcano daily, and when the park is safe for reopening, visitors will once again be able to hike or ride horseback to the crater.
Places to Stay:
There are many luxury hotels and rustic lodges in the area. Several of them offer visitors guided treks and horseback rides through the mountains.
Due to high elevation, temperatures can fall into the 40’s at night, so bring warm clothing.
Getting There:
Buses depart from San Jose (Calle 13, between Avenidas 6 and 8) every hour on the hour, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The two-hour ride costs ¢1,175 (approximately $2.15).
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