Central Valley Costa Rica Zone

This region includes San José (the capital of Costa Rica ), Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago. In the Central Valley area there is a great variety of activities worth exploring. The gastronomical diversity of the area is the result of a mix between national and international dishes.

The high-class hotels are located in the Central Valley . This area also offers the tourist popular services like hostels, bed and breakfast, as well as “sodas”, small restaurants and cafeterias.

Six of the best museums of the country are in San José . Cultural activities such as theatre and contemporary dance, together with academic activities, are an integral part of region that is proud of its high standards of education and health. San José is also the Government's home and the political life of the country. Outside the capital city you can find traditional towns of great beauty showing off colonial Costa Rica .

San José has day and night cultural activities in dance rooms, bars and discos. The fairs in honor of the patron saint of each town take place regularly. The end of the year fair is one of the main tourist attractions both for nationals and foreigners. The Light Festival, which takes place in early December, is already a tradition that sets the beginning of the New Year, with a parade of floats and bands.

The climate of the Central Valley favors agricultural activity, where the best coffee of Costa Rica is produced. Its quality is due to the altitude and temperature, ideal for its production. Other crops important to the region are, sugar cane, fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants. Production of trout is also an important activity. Trout farms open their doors to people so they can visit and fish their own trout and later have it cooked in the farm's restaurant. You can find places like this in Valle de Orosí and in Sarchí.