Introducing Zarcero
North of Naranjo, the road winds for 20km until it reaches Zarcero’s 1736m perch at the western end of the Cordillera Central. The mountains are gorgeous and the climate is famously fresh, but the reason you’ve come is evident as soon as you pull into town.
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Parque Francisco Alvarado, in front of the already off-kilter pink and blue 1895 Iglesia de San Rafael, was just a normal plaza until the 1960s (of course), when gardener Evangelisto Blanco suddenly became inspired to shave the ordinary, mild-mannered bushes into bizarre abstract shapes and, over the years, everything from elephants to bull fights (the latest creation is a double tunnel of surreal, melting arches).
Today the trippy topiary is certainly the town’s top sight, but space-age trees aren’t the only thing growing in Zarcero – this is a center for Costa Rica’s organic-farming movement. You can find unusual varieties of pesticide-free goodies all over town, and the surrounding mountains are just perfect for an afternoon picnic.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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5 days in Nicaragua at 5000-7000 feet in a small town
by maria6004 10 April 2011
I have been to Costa Rica many times and am thinking of trying Nicaragua. It would probably be a 2 week trip and I would spend most of…
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RE: Public bus from Brasilito or Liberia to Naranjo or San Ramon
by maria6004 06 April 2011
I will thanks. I have been to Grecia but not San Ramon. I will go there. I am also going to take the bus to San Carlos and try Termales…
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Public bus from Brasilito or Liberia to Naranjo or San Ramon
by maria6004 05 April 2011
I am going to be in Brasilito and want to go to Zarcero by public bus. I have taken a bus from Sámara before and they let me off in Naran…
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