Point of entry to Costa Rica.
The Central Valley is the point of entry to Costa Rica and, as such, offers a wide range of activities and attractions worth exploring. One of its primary characteristics is its comfortable climate – even San José, at 1,149 meters above sea level, enjoys an average temperature of 24°C. Here you will find fine dining and lodging options offering everything from five-star hotels to bed-and-breakfasts, as well as popular local sodas, small restaurants offering traditional Costa Rican fare. Five of the best museums in the country are found in the capital city of San José, including the Gold Museum, Jade Museum, National Museum, Contemporary Art Museum and Children’s Museum – all this in addition to Costa Rica’s architectural jewel: the National Theater, built with the support of all Costa Ricans in 1897, during a time of coffee boom and European cultural influence.
Dance halls pulsating with tropical rhythms alongside fashionable bars form part of the nightlife in Costa Rica. San José is also the heart of the country’s business and political activities. Cultural activities in areas of theater, dance and education are also important aspects of life in this province, as are high standards of education and health services.
The region’s climate and altitude create ideal conditions for the production of Costa Rica’s world-famous coffee. Other agricultural products from the area include tubers, vegetables, ferns, fruits and a wide variety of ornamental plants offered at nurseries. In some of the mountain areas, you can enjoy trout fishing, with your catch served afterward as part of a succulent meal.
|
|
The former capital of Cartago is home to
another architectural jewel: the Basilica of Our Lady of the
Angels, the country’s greatest religious symbol. More than just a church, it is a sanctuary for those devoted to the country’s patron saint, the Virgin of the Angels. Every August 1, the country’s faithful take part in a pilgrimage to commemorate on August 2 the appearance of the Virgin Mary to a poor indigenous girl from the area, and they honor the promises offered in her honor. Without a doubt, the Central Valley is much more than just the point of entry to the country.
In the outskirts of San José, beautiful traditional towns with rural charm offer a small glimpse of the Costa Rica of years past, with stucco homes with large backyards, farm animals, sugar mills and dairies, as well as oxcarts, one of the symbols of the Costa Rican farmer. Other traditional activities the visitor can enjoy are the patron saints festivals celebrated year-round and the popular festivals in San José during the month of December.
The beauty of the Central Valley stems from the Central Volcanic Mountain Range, which, in addition to scenic mountains, includes impressive active volcanoes such as Poás and Irazú, along with beautiful wildlife species such as the resplendent quetzal.
|
