Introducing Zona de Los Santos
Also called Zona Santa, or ‘Saint’s Zone, ’ this region of redolent coffee plantations and cool cloud forests isn’t exactly a destination, but rather a collection of highland villages at the heart of relaxed, rural Costa Rica. They famously bear sainted names: San Pablo de León Cortés, Santa María de Dota, San Marcos de Tarrazú, San Cristóbal Sur, San Gerardo de Dota.
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Birders flock to this area, no pun intended. The area around San Gerardo de Dota and the Cerro de la Muerte, especially, are famed for attracting high-altitude species. The elusive quetzal is such a celebrity in these parts that they named a national park after him – Costa Rica’s newest – Parque Nacional Los Quetzales. Besides the rich, dark coffee that is grown and processed here, the local specialty is rainbow trout, which abound in the river steams and stocked ponds.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
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