Central Valley

ABOUT THE REGION

The Central Valley offers a rich blend of cultural and natural attractions, including many of the country’s most renowned museums. Among them are the Gold Museum, Jade Museum, National Museum, Costa Rican Art Museum, La Salle Natural Science Museum, the Insect Museum at the University of Costa Rica, the Museum of Contemporary Arts and Design, and the Children’s Museum. The area is also home to Costa Rica’s architectural crown jewel: the National Theatre.

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Several national parks in the Central Valley protect the region’s major volcanoes—Poás, Braulio Carrillo, Irazú, and Turrialba. These parks feature well-developed transportation and visitor facilities, offering access to breathtaking landscapes, birdwatching opportunities, forest trails, and volcanic craters.

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While the capital city of San José hosts most government institutions, the nearby provincial capitals—Alajuela, Heredia, and Cartago—provide excellent commercial and tourism services.

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The region also boasts two areas of exceptional beauty: Turrialba and the Valley of the Saints, both recognized as destinations in their own right. The surrounding rural towns, with their picturesque scenery, traditional adobe houses, expansive coffee plantations, mills, and dairy farms, offer visitors a glimpse into Costa Rica’s heritage.

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Did you know...?
The rural areas of the Central Valley are perfect for horseback riding adventures in locations such as Turrialba, Santa María de Dota, Atenas, Palmares, Zarcero, Escazú, Santa Ana, and more.