San Jose (Central Valley) Tourism Region

Climate: Referred to as “eternal spring,” the Central Valley is warm and pleasant year-round. See Central Valley Weather Region

Average Temperature: 75°F with 75% humidity

Major Cities and Attractions: Alajuela, Atenas, Braulio Carrillo National Park, Grecia, Heredia, Irazu Volcano National Park, Poas Volcano National Park, San Jose, Sarchi and Turrialba

San Jose is where most Costa Rican vacations begin and end. Perhaps due to its status as a forced stopover, the city is often judged unfairly. In truth, San Jose is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with all the modern conveniences – 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 here is exciting and diverse – travelers can sip martinis in upscale bars, dance the night away to techno music, learn to salsa or check out one of the city’s gay clubs.

San Jose and the Central Valley are, unsurprisingly, located in the center of Costa Rica. The Central Valley Tourism Region consists of the areas in and around the city of San Jose, including the Juan Santamaria International Airport, the province of San Jose and parts of the Alajuela, Cartago and Heredia provinces. Included are Costa Rica’s most populated cities – San Jose, Alajuela, Cartago and Heredia – as well as Irazu Volcano, Poas Volcano, Turrialba Volcano, Braulio Carillo National Park and many other attractions.

Situated at 3775 feet above sea level, San Jose is graced with beautiful, temperate weather year-round. Surrounded by soaring mountains and shade-soaked coffee plantations, the region is spectacular and brimming with vistas and breathtaking panoramas. Sunsets are bright and colorful, tropical birds sing in the trees, and nature is never more than a few steps away. Combined with modern amenities, local charm, and its proximity to the airport, it’s easy to see why San Jose and surrounding cities are such popular choices to call home.

Tourists to the Central Valley are also greeted with options aplenty. San Jose offers museums, pre-Columbian culture, live music, a butterfly garden, colonial architecture, colorful markets, live theater and many other activities found in an urban capital. To the north, tranquil Heredia hosts Braulio Carillo National Park and Barva Volcano, two of the region’s greenest and most beautiful outdoor offerings.

West of San Jose, Alajuela promises spectacular views of Poas Volcano, rushing waters at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, one of the country’s best butterfly gardens and Zoo Ave, a wildlife rescue center and animal sanctuary. East of the capital, Cartago is home to Irazu and Turrialba Volcanoes, the best whitewater rafting in Central America, Costa Rica’s only pre-Columbian town and the exquisite Lankester Botanical Garden.

Though it has much to offer, the Central Valley is an oft-overlooked and underappreciated region. If you planned on just passing through, think again – the region’s extraordinary views, perfect weather, pulsating nightlife and rich cultural offerings await.

Other Central Valley Cities:

• Santa Ana

• Escazu

Places to See:

Museums & Gardens:

- La Paz Waterfall and Gardens

- INBioparque

- Lankester Botanical Gardens

-The Butterfly Farm

- Zoo Ave

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

Things to Do:

Air Activities: Canopy Tours, Aerial Trams and Bungee Jumping

Land Activities: Hiking, Coffee Tours, Tennis, Golfing, Theater, Dining, Dancing, Horseback Riding, Casino Gambling, Mountain Biking

Water Activities: Whitewater Rafting & Tubing

Read Our Central Valley Travel Blogs:

Alajuela, Grecia and Sarchi, Heredia, Poas Volcano, San Jose and Central Valley (All)

Our Recent Trips:

Central Valley Day Trips II (November 2009)

Central Valley Day Trips (November 2008)