Sights in Central Valley & Highlands
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Lankester Gardens
The University of Costa Rica runs the exceptional Lankester Gardens, which was started as a private garden by British orchid enthusiast Charles Lankester in 1917, but was turned over to the university for public administration in 1973. Orchids are the big draw at this tranquil 11-hectare spot, with more than 1100 at their showiest from March to May. There is also a new Japanese garden, as well as areas full of bromeliads, palms, heliconias and other tropical plants. There is a good gift shop (this is one of the few places where foreigners can legally purchase orchids to take home) and a cafe was in the works at the time of research. Guided tours in English and Spanish can…
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Catie
About 4km east of Turrialba, Catie consists of 1000 hectares dedicated to tropical agricultural research and education. Agronomists from all over the world recognize this as one of the most important centers in the tropics. You need to make reservations for one of several available guided tours through laboratories, greenhouses, a seed bank, experimental plots and one of the most extensive libraries of tropical-agriculture literature in the world. You can also easily pick up a map (or print one off their website) and take a self-guided walk through the gardens to a pond, where waterbirds such as the purple gallinule are a specialty. You can walk to Catie or get a taxi (₡1…
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Amigos de las Aves
Three kilometers to the southeast, in Río Segundo de Alajuela, is this important and successful green and scarlet macaw breeding program, housed on a 3-hectare finca also known as Flor de Mayo. Founded in 1992 by Richard and Margot Frisius, the organization is working to revive endangered macaw populations in collaboration with the Minae, the government ministry that oversees the national park system. They also have volunteer opportunities (from US$15 to US$18 per person per day). See the website for details. Two-hour guided tours of the breeding center and refuge can be arranged by appointment in advance. It’s tricky to find; get directions.
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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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Museo Juan Santamaría
Situated in a century-old structure that has served as both a jail and an armory, north of the Parque Central, the Museo Juan Santamaría chronicles the life and history of Juan Santamaría, the legendary drummer boy who helped route American filibuster William Walker in 1856 by torching the building that he and his men were hiding out in. A basic exhibit area contains vintage maps, paintings and historical artifacts related to the conflict. They also host rotating arts and crafts exhibitions and there is a small auditorium where performances are occasionally staged.
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Parque Nacional Tapantí-Macizo Cerro de la Muerte
This 580-sq-km national park protects the lush northern slopes of the Cordillera de Talamanca, and has a rainy claim to fame: it is the wettest park in the country, getting almost 8000mm of precipitation a year. In 2000 it was expanded to include the infamous Cerro de la Muerte – otherwise known as the ‘Mountain of Death.’ This precipitous peak is the highest point on the Interamericana and the northernmost extent of páramo, a highland shrub and tussock grass habitat that’s most commonly found in the Andes and is home to a variety of rare bird species.
Known simply as Tapantí, the park also protects wild and mossy country that’s fed by, literally, hundreds of riv…
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Ojo de Agua
About 6km south of Alajuela are the Ojo de Agua springs, a picturesque working-class resort that's packed on weekends with folks from San José and Alajuela.
Approximately 20,000L of water gush out from the spring each minute, filling swimming pools and an artificial boating lake before being piped down to Puntarenas, for which the springs are a major supply of water. There are also snack stands, game courts and a small gymnasium. From San José, drivers can take the San Antonio de Belén exit off the Interamericana; Ojo de Agua is just past San Antonio.
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La Paz Waterfall Gardens
This garden and hotel complex is host to 3.5km of hiking trails and five scenic waterfalls, the largest one of which – La Catarata de la Paz (Peace Waterfall) – is probably one of the most photographed sights in Costa Rica. Visitors can also tour a butterfly conservatory, an aviary, an orchid display, a serpentarium and a historic Tico farmhouse that dates back to 1900. It’s an ideal spot for active seniors and small children (there are even special children’s activities), since many of the trails are smooth and well-maintained.
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Zoo Ave
About 10km west of Alajuela, you’ll find Zoo Ave, a well-designed animal park boasting more than 15 species of reptile and 115 species of birds – all on colorful, squawking display in a relaxing 14-hectare park. In addition, you’ll find all four species of Costa Rican monkey, as well as many other critters. Though technically a zoo, it is also an important breeding center that aims to reintroduce native species into the wild. There is also a cafe. This is an excellent place for families.
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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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Museo de Cultura Popular
Located in Santa Lucía de Barva, about 1.5km southeast of Barva, this small museum is run by the Universidad Nacional and located in a restored 19th-century farmhouse that exhibits period pieces, such as domestic and agricultural tools. It is best to reserve a tour ahead of time, when staff can arrange a hands-on visit – which might include using the beehive-shaped clay oven to make traditional foods (though this may require a minimum number of people).
Barva is also an excellent base from which to hike the little-visited Volcán Barva.
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Las Ruinas de la Parroquia
Las Ruinas de la Parroquia was built in 1575 as a shrine to St James the Apostle (Santiago, in Spanish), destroyed by the 1841 earthquake, rebuilt a few years later and was then destroyed again in the 1910 earthquake. Today only the outer walls of the church remain, but ‘the Ruins’ are a pleasant spot for hanging out and people-watching – though legend has it that the ghost of a headless priest wanders the ground on foggy nights.
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World of Snakes
Grecia’s premiere attraction, World of Snakes, lies 1.5km south of the bus station. It is a well-run breeding center focused on supporting endangered snake populations. More than 150 snakes (45 species in all) are displayed in large cages. Informative tours are given in English, German or Spanish and there may be a chance to handle reptiles. Buses between Grecia and Alajuela can drop you at the entrance.
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Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles
The most important site in Cartago – and the most venerated religious site in the country – this basilica channels any airy Byzantine grace, with fine stained-glass windows and ornate side chapels featuring carved wood altars. Though the structure has changed many times since 1635, when it was first built, the relic that it protects remains unharmed inside.
La Negrita, ‘the Black Virgin,’ is a small (less than a meter tall), probably indigenous, representation of the Virgin Mary, found on this spot on August 2, 1635 by a native woman. As the story goes, when she tried to take the statuette with her, it miraculously reappeared back where she’d found it. Twice. So the t…
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Casa del Soñador
Casa del Soñador is an artisanal woodworking studio run by Hermes Quesada. The son of renowned Tico carver Macedonio Quesada, Hermes maintains the campesino (peasant farmer) tradition of whittling gnarled coffee-wood branches into ornate religious figures and whimsical characters. His workshop displays sculptures of all sizes, with pieces available for purchase.
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Flor de Mayo
Three kilometers southeast in Río Segundo de Alajuela is Flor de Mayo, a very successful green and scarlet macaw breeding program. Run by Richard and Margot Frisius, the botanical garden is an early home for infant macaws and has three aviaries that each house a pair of macaws. Visitation is by appointment only, and it's best to get detailed directions as it's difficult to find.
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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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Jardín Botánico Else Kientzler
On the north end of town is this recommended botanical garden, with 2km of trails, ideal for a refreshing stroll among more than 2000 types of clearly labeled plants, including succulents, fruit trees, heliconias and orchids. There is a picnic area and a small playground for children. Find it 800m north of the stadium.
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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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Parque Viborana
About 10km east of Turrialba, in the village of Pavones (500m east of the cemetery), Parque Viborana is a small serpentarium run by a local family. Here you can see (and even handle) a variety of Costa Rican snakes, including some very large boas. A rustic visitors area has a small exhibit.
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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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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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Elias Leiva Museum of Ethnography
For an insight into regional cultures, visit this museum, located in the basement of the Colegio Luis Gonzaga. It has a few small displays of pre-Columbian and colonial artifacts.
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Museo de San Ramón
On the north side of the park, this museum maintains a few simple exhibits devoted to detailing life in Costa Rica during the colony and the early republic. Towards the back, a gallery shows rotating art exhibits.
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Centro de la Cultura
The small Centro de la Cultura, north of Catedral de la Mercedes, maintains a small exhibit of Spanish-colonial artifacts and articles about the city’s status as the cleanest in America.
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