Sights in Heredia
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INBioparque
About 4km to the southeast of town, in the neighborhood of Santo Domingo, is INBioparque, a wildlife park and botanical garden run by the non-profit INBio (National Biodiversity Institute), which catalogs Costa Rica’s biodiversity and promotes its sustainable use. Visitors can admire 531 species of plant, creatures such as sloths, boas and tarantulas, and visit a livestock and a butterfly farm. On weekends there is children’s theatre, plus the park is wheelchair-accessible. Closing times are when the last guests are admitted; the park itself doesn’t shut until sunset. See the website for a list of specialty naturalist tours and directions.
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A
Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción
To the east of Parque Central is Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción, built in 1797 and still in use. Opposite the church steps you can take a break and watch old men playing checkers at the park tables while weddings and funerals come and go. The church's thick-walled, squat construction is attractive in a Volkswagen Beetle sort of way. The solid shape has withstood the earthquakes that have damaged or destroyed almost all the other buildings in Costa Rica that date from this time.
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B
Casa de la Cultura
At the park’s northeast corner, in a low-lying Spanish structure that dates back to the 18th century is the Casa de la Cultura, which at one point served as the residence of President Alfredo González Flores, who governed from 1913 to 1917. It is beautifully maintained and now houses permanent historical displays as well as rotating art exhibits.
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C
Universidad Nacional
The campus of Universidad Nacional, six blocks east of Parque Central, is a great place for doing a little guerrilla learning. Keep an eye out for posters advertising cultural offerings and special events happening around the city. Also, check out the marine biology department’s Museo Zoomarino, where more than 2000 displayed specimens give an overview of Costa Rica’s marine diversity. The Museo Zoomarino is not on campus, but located about 1km west of the university.
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Museo Zoomarino
Check out the Universidad Nacional's marine biology department’s Museo Zoomarino, where more than 2000 displayed specimens give an overview of Costa Rica’s marine diversity. The Museo Zoomarino is not on campus, but located about 1km west of the university.
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D
El Fortín
To the north of the park is an 1867 guard tower called simply El Fortín, which is the last remaining turret of a Spanish fortress and the official symbol of Heredia. This area is a national historic site, but passageways are closed to the public.
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Parque Central
Heredia was founded in 1706, and in true Spanish-colonial style it has several interesting old landmarks arranged around the Parque Central.
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