Activities
TURRIALBA
Several
cities developed and prospered as a result
of the building of the railroad to the
Caribbean; Turrialba is one of these,
and its architectural, spatial and ethnic
makeup is different from other towns.
Declared a City of National Archeological
Interest, this town is the entryway to
the Costa Rican Caribbean. Two universities
are located here: the Tropical Agronomy
Research and Learning Center (CATIE),
of international influence, and the University
of Costa Rica. Turrialba's outskirts contain
appealing rural communities such as Santa
Cruz, where homemade Turrialba cheese
is produced, La Suiza and Aquiares, as
well as the rapids of the Reventazón and
Pacuare rivers.
RÍO
PACUARE
Flowing
out of the Cordillera de Talamanca, this
river offers excellent rafting. The run
is suitable for big and small whitewater
rafters, and parts of the trip offer stunning
scenery.
VALLE
DE OROSI
This
highly scenic tourism circuit features
a series of viewpoints showing two different
areas of the valley, including the towns
of Orosí and Ujarrás, the first two Spanish
settlements in the era of the Conquista.
Here, visitors can see two of the only
colonial buildings in the country: the
renamed Ujarrás Ruins and the beautiful
Iglesia de Orosí, with its considerable
treasures in altarpieces, sacred images
and other historical elements.
Because
of its strategic location, the Reventazón
Valley, as it is also called, is a mandatory
stop with many travel agencies, which
find here a high-quality tourism destination
where tourists can enjoy fishing for trout
and langoustines, rent boats, soak in
hot springs and take in agricultural plantations
and works of engineering. In addition,
many lodging facilities have been established
in this area over the last few years.
RÍO
REVENTAZÓN
At
152 kilometers long, the Reventazón features
stretches perfect for rafting, fishing
or canoeing. The thick greenery on the
river's banks adds to the enjoyment of
a trip down its waters. The mid zone of
this river is the Cachí Hydroelectric
Plant's largest water supply source.
CACHÍ
HYDROELECTRIC DAM AND RESERVOIR
This
dam began operating in 1966, generating
32,000 kilowatts of power, which doubled
one year later. Its innovative use of
the Reventazón's waters makes it the first
of its kind in Central America. The reinforced-concrete
structure, 79 meters tall and 186 meters
wide, draws the attention of both national
and international tourists traveling through
the Ujarrás Valley. Several leisure and
eating establishments have arisen around
the reservoir to facilitate visits from
local and foreign tourists.
OROSÍ
HOT SPRINGS
According
to the Romanian specialists who assessed
Costa Rica's hot springs in 1981, these
waters are effective for relieving muscular
pain and reducing stress. Orosí has two
pools with good facilities for the national
tourists who come to bathe in the waters.
Around the Mirador de Orosí, a large outfit
has been established that offers a number
of quality services and taps into other
hot springs highly beneficial to the body.
OROSÍ
CHURCH AND COLONIAL MUSEUM
Built
in 1743 by Franciscan missionaries, this
is the only colonial building in good
condition in Costa Rica. Many works of
art can be admired inside, including paintings,
sacred images and the altar. The adjacent
museum houses pieces and artifacts used
by the Franciscans during the evangelical
period, displaying something of the lifestyle
of that era. The site was declared a National
Monument in 1985.
LOS
NOVIOS WATERFALL
Known
for the many anecdotes about the origin
of its name ("The Couple"), this waterfall
adorns the slopes of Picacho hill, and
can be viewed from the highway to Ujarrás
Valley or the Costa Rica Tourism Board
Ujarrás viewpoint.
RUINS
OF THE IGLESIA DE LA PURÍSIMA CONCEPCIÓN
IN UJARRÁS
This
church's construction was ordered during
the second half of the 16th century by
the Governor of Costa Rica at that time,
Miguel Gómez de Lara. The Franciscan missionaries
carried out their labors in Ujarrás around
the church. Declared a National Monument
in 1920, today the church is a visitor
attraction of great architectural and
historical interest within the Reventazón
Valley circuit.
CARTAGO
"The
Very Noble and Very Loyal City of Cartago"
was Costa Rica's first capital, a distinction
the city held until 1823. Cartago enjoys
a good level of commercial development
and state services. Despite seismic activity
that has caused considerable damage throughout
the city's history, several important
architectural structures still remain.
Cartago is home to Costa Rica's patron
saint, Our Lady of the Angels.
OUR
LADY OF THE ANGELS BASILICA
Built
in 1921, this church houses a small shrine
where the faithful go to worship Costa
Rica's patron saint in hopes of a miracle,
to be healed or to give thanks for prayers
answered. A mixture of Roman, Arabic and
Gothic styles, the basilica has Italian
floors and 32 stained-glass windows from
Germany depicting the Virgin, Heart of
Jesus and the 15 Stations of the Cross.
PILGRIMAGE
IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS
Each
year, starting several days before August
2, Costa Ricans from all over the country
make pilgrimages from their homes to Our
Lady of the Angels Basilica in Cartago,
to fulfill a promise or ask for help with
health or financial problems.
COLEGIO
SAN LUIS GONZAGA
Founded
as a learning institution in 1842, San
Luis Gonzaga has produced several noteworthy
Costa Rican political and professional
figures. Several earthquakes destroyed
the original facilities, with the earthquake
of 1910 finally spurring the move to the
school's present-day location. Dating
back to 1920, this building demonstrates
a neoclassical influence, and was declared
of Historical and Architectural Interest
in 1989. The facilities house a museum
featuring archeological, colonial-furniture,
scientific and ethnological collections.
IGLESIA
DE QUIRCOT
Located
in the community of Quircot, this church
is around 100 years old. A typical adobe
construction, it was declared a Relic
of Historical-Cultural Interest in 1986.
CASA
DE LA CIUDAD DE CARTAGO (PIRIE BUILDING)
The
first floor was built in 1882, with the
second added in 1900. This is one of the
few buildings to survive Cartago's earthquakes.
Today it is used for a number of Cartago's
artistic and cultural activities.
PARROQUIA
DE SANTIAGO APÓSTOL (CARTAGO RUINS)
Construction
resumed in 1904 after thirty years of
stoppage; however, the Santa Mónica earthquake
on May 4, 1910, put a definitive end to
Cartago's interest in completing the building.
The site is visited by various travel
companies bringing a constant stream of
international tourists wanting to learn
about the ruins' history and see the architecture,
bells and colonial streets.
CRISTO
DE OCHOMOGO
Located
in Cerros de Ochomogo, this monument commemorates
the Costa Ricans who died from March to
April of 1823, when the "imperialists"
who supported union with Mexico's Iturbide
Empire did battle with the republicans
who believed in complete independence
from other countries. As a result of this
confrontation among Costa Ricans, Cartago
lost its title as the country's capital
to San José.
CORDILLERA
DE TALAMANCA
Made
up of tertiary sedimentary marine rock,
plutonic rock and volcanic domes from
the upper Miocene, this mountain range
runs on a northwest-to-southeast axis.
Oak forests cover some areas, with other
noteworthy species including magnolia,
cacho de venado and pagoda. Plains bare
of trees also exist, inhabited by squat
shrubs, lichen, grasses, bamboo, ferns
and myrtles. Common wildlife includes
tapirs, ocelots, jaguarondis and wildcats,
as well as mountain hares, goats, kinkajous,
raccoons, coatis and agoutis. The range's
highest peaks are Chirripó at 3,821 meters
above sea level and Kamuk at 3,554 meters
above sea level.
RÍO
SAVEGRE, SAN GERARDO DE DOTA
In
this river's cold waters, just a few kilometers
from its source, visitors can fish for
rainbow trout, or simply take refuge on
its banks to relax or capture the river's
beauty on film or video. The Savegre features
lovely scenic areas, as well as bird-watching-especially
quetzals.
CERRO
BUENA VISTA OR DE LA MUERTE
Part
of the Cordillera de Talamanca, this mountain
has an altitude of 3,451 meters. If the
weather is kind, both Pacific and Caribbean
coasts can be seen from its heights. The
mountain features an interesting dwarf
forest, and temperatures here can drop
to zero degrees Celsius. The upper part
of the mountain features a possible sub-volcanic
dome, Cerro Jaboncillo (3,000 meters),
the result of lava emplacement during
the Miocene.
LOS
JULIANES WATERFALL
Main
entry is through the Santa María de Dota
area. The access road to Los Julianes
runs through a region of virgin mountains
called Fila Bayoneta. The waterfall is
around 90 meters tall.
SAN
GERARDO WATERFALL
To
get to this 40-meter waterfall, visitors
walk approximately two and a half hours
through primary forest, observing spectacular
plant and wildlife species.
VALLE
DE SANTA MARÍA DE DOTA
Seat
of the Dota canton, Santa María is set
in a valley surrounded by mountains. Converging
here are the access roads to other communities
such as Copey, San Marcos de Tarrazú and
San Pablo de León Cortés. The population
is concentrated on the banks of the Río
Parrita, in blocks like those used in
old Spanish towns. Historical and natural
attractions include: Santa María National
Park, with its Monument to the Fallen
in the Revolution of 1948; the Escuela
República de Bolivia, which was the General
Barracks for troops during the revolution;
and the Dota hills offering lovely panoramic
views of the valley.
Existen
diversos atractivos históricos y naturales:
el Parque de Santa María, declarado de
interés con su Monumento a los Caídos
en la Revolución de 1948, la Escuela República
de Bolivia fue Cuartel General de las
tropas en la Revolución y los cerros de
Dota de los cuáles se observa una hermosa
panorámica del Valle.
FEAST
OF SANTA MARÍA DE LA CUEVA
This
traditional religious feast involves activities
very uncommon in the rest of the country,
such as fireworks, typical foods for sale,
running with the bulls a la tica and various
competitions: carreras de cintas, el palo
encebado, juego de la bruja and others.
Events go on for a week, ending with the
chinga, in which everyone involved in
the activities participates. The celebration
takes place on February 2 of each year.
VALLE
DE COPEY
At
1,853 meters in altitude, this small valley
is home to the community of Copey, and
features unique conditions for hiking,
photography, horseback riding, fishing,
bird-watching and other leisure activities.
Visitors can enjoy flower farms and apple
orchards, typical architecture, natural
landscapes and more. Lodging and dining
options are offered.
CAÑÓN-SANTA
MARÍA DE DOTA PICTURESQUE ROAD
The
first access route to Santa María de Dota,
this historic road features forests, rivers,
agricultural landscapes and interesting
communities such as La Cima and Copey,
up to its final destination of Santa María.
OJO
DE AGUA REFUGE, DOTA
Ojo
de Agua was built in 1910 as a rest stop
for travelers making the trip between
San Isidro de El General and San José.
It has been declared a Historical Relic,
and may be visited at its location at
kilometer 76 on the southern Interamerican
highway. Today, the place is used as a
rest stop where groups of riders break
their journeys throughout the year.
MONUMENT
TO THE HEROES FALLEN IN 1948
Located
in Santa María de Dota's Central Park,
this piece by artist Luis Umaña Ruiz depicts
a woman protecting a group of men and
women within her arms, symbolizing Costa
Rica safeguarding its citizens. The piece
weighs around 90 tons.
SAN
JOSÉ
At
1,149 meters above sea level, San José
enjoys an average temperature of 24 degrees
Celsius-an ideal climate for short trips
to the Carmen, Catedral, Merced and Hospital
districts. Here, visitors can admire the
lovely architecture of several buildings
that have been declared National Monuments
of cultural, historical or architectural
interest, including the Post and Telegraph
Building, the National Theater, the Children's
Museum, the Blue Castle and others. The
city offers high-quality options in dining
and accommodations, from bed and breakfasts
and popular sodas (small restaurants serving
local and fast food) to fashionable bars
for nightlife, complemented with cinemas
and theaters. San José's December religious
feasts and public festivals are traditional
events that may be enjoyed by visitors.
NATIONAL
THEATER
Built
between 1890 and 1897, this edifice's
construction costs were paid for by the
Costa Rican people through import taxes.
The National Theater is home to valuable
pieces by Italian artists, and is still
in good condition after 100 years. The
pride of Costa Ricans, the Theater is
the center of the country's main cultural,
artistic and political activities, and
was declared a National Monument in 1965.
MÉLICO
SALAZAR THEATER
The
Mélico Salazar Theater is housed in a
building that has been declared of Historical
and Architectural Interest. Its purpose
is to promote the artistic expression
of popular culture, and to provide access
to its shows to the broadest possible
sector of the population..
METAL
BUILDING
This
hundred-year-old architectural jewel of
metal has been used from its beginnings
as a house of learning for boys and girls.
It was declared of Historical and Architectural
Interest in 1980.
TEMPLE
OF MUSIC
Located
in Parque Morazán, this 1920 neoclassical
building made of reinforced concrete features
almost perfect acoustics. For many years
it was the meeting place for the San José
community, where concerts by the Symphonic
Orchestra and the Military Band were enjoyed
and the traditional new year greeting
was exchanged.
NATIONAL
MONUMENT
Inaugurated
on September 15, 1895, at what was known
as the Plaza de la Estación, the National
Monument is a piece by French sculptor
Louis Carrier commemorating the heroic
deed of the campaign of 1856-1857. The
figures represent the Central American
countries pursuing a North American invader
attired like the slavers represented by
William Walker.
NATIONAL
MUSEUM (OLD BELLAVISTA BARRACKS)
Construction
of the Army General Barracks took place
between 1916 and 1930. In 1949, after
the abolition of the army, the building
was converted into the National Museum.
Its fundamental purpose is to promote
the study, conservation and display of
the country's flora and fauna. Currently,
the museum's main themes are archeology,
national history and natural history.
Located on Calle 17 between Avenidas Central
and Segunda, the museum is open to the
public Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to
5 p.m.
CHILDREN'S
MUSEUM
Dating
back to 1910, this modern museum is designed
especially for the children of Costa Rica.
The cultural and scientific activities
that take place in its more than 50 display
rooms are of great impact to the country.
Located 800 meters north of the Banco
Central in San José, the museum is open
to the public Tuesday to Sunday from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m.
JADE
MUSEUM
This
museum houses a collection of pre-Columbian
art (gold, ceramic, jade and stone), and
is the only museum displaying indigenous
jade artwork in the Americas. It is located
in the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (National
Insurance Institute) building.
GOLD
MUSEUM
The
collection of indigenous gold objects
displayed at the Gold Museum is considered
one of the most valuable in the world.
The museum is located in the Plaza de
la Cultura, adjacent to the Tourism Information
office of the Costa Rica Tourism Board.
Located on Calle 5 at Avenida Central,
the Gold Museum is open to the public
Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30
p.m.
OUTDOOR
ART FESTIVAL, SAN PEDRO, MONTES DE OCA
This
nonprofit event's only goal is to take
art to the streets. The event takes place
in San Pedro de Montes de Oca, on Calle
9 in San Pedro opposite the Banco Popular,
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The Outdoor
Art Festival is organized with growing
success by the Galería de Ulises.
According
to Ulises Castillo, the event's driving
force, for two days the streets and sidewalks
become a display area for the work of
80 plastic artists, including Ángel Lara
González, Rafael García, Domingo Ramos,
Emilia Cersósimo, Joaquín Rodríguez del
Paso, Olger Villegas and Fernando Carballo.
Event production is undertaken by the
participants.
MUSEUM
OF COSTA RICAN ART
The
old La Sabana Airport building is the
home of this museum, which normally displays
diverse collections of plastic art. On
the second floor of the building, the
Salón Dorado features a wooden mural depicting
the country's history from the Amerindian
era to the year 1940. Located on Calle
42 at Avenida Segunda, La Sabana, the
museum is open to the public from 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m.
PHILATELIC
AND NUMISMATIC MUSEUM OF COSTA RICA
Located
in the San José Central Post Office building,
this museum displays a collection of postage
stamps produced in Costa Rica, as well
as a recreation of an office from the
last century, complete with equipment
used for the first communications in the
country.
UNIVERSITY
OF COSTA RICA INSECT MUSEUM
This
museum displays an example of Costa Rica's
entomological diversity, and is located
in the basement of the Faculty of Musical
Arts at the University of Costa Rica.
LA
SALLE NATURAL SCIENCE MUSEUM
With
an outstanding ornithology, entomology
and malacology collection, this museum
displays around 18,000 attractive specimens.
Four display rooms exhibit mammals, fish,
reptiles and shells; there is also an
archeological display room. Located on
the southwest side of La Sabana Metropolitan
Park, the museum is open to the public
Monday to Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30
p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
MUSEUM
OF CONTEMPORARY ART AND DESIGN
The
administration that designed this project
defined it as the first space set aside
specifically for circulation, research
and reflection on national and international
contemporary art in its diverse manifestations.
Since 1994, the museum has put on more
than 50 exhibitions generated by national
and international curators, and has organized
important traveling displays, including
the first exhibition of contemporary Central
American art. Located in San José in the
Centro Nacional de Cultura (CENAC)-a complex
of restored buildings-the museum is open
to the public Tuesday to Sunday from 10
a.m. to 5 p.m.
POPULAR
CULTURE MUSEUM
This
museum is located in Santa Lucía de Barva,
Heredia, in the house of former president
Alfredo González Flores. Its fundamental
objective is to disseminate and preserve
the traditions and identity of the Costa
Rican people. The museum also shows visitors
the building methods of colonial houses
made with adobe and bahareque. A National
Heritage, the Popular Culture Museum is
open to the public Tuesday to Sunday from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
INBIO
(BIODIVERSITY INSTITUTE)
Dedicated
to natural research in the country, INBIO's
achievements have won the institute several
international awards. Located in Santo
Domingo de Heredia, the campus features
tourist facilities and a Biodiversity
Park.
NATIONAL
CULTURE CENTER - CENAC (OLD NATIONAL LIQUOR
FACTORY)
One
of the oldest buildings in the country,
dating back to 1853, CENAC is made up
of several facilities, including the Ministry
of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Fanal
Theater, Theater 1887 dedicated to dance,
the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design,
the Stone Gateway and the Sundial.
IGLESIA
DE SAN ISIDRO DE CORONADO
This
structure of German origin was unloaded
in late 1930 at the Pacific train station;
from there it was transported in oxcarts
and deposited in the plaza of San Isidro,
Vázquez de Coronado canton, in front of
which the neo-Gothic church was erected.
The arrangement of the building's principal
façade shows that it has three naves.
A series of images adorn the main entryways
and the lateral facades. The building
was finished in 1934; however, the date
of completion is considered to be 1937,
when the bells were blessed in a solemn
consecration ceremony.
JOAQUÍN
GARCÍA MONGE MUSEUM
This
museum displays a house from the 19th
century made of adobe and caña brava (a
giant grass) secured with bejuco and cucharilla
(types of liana), colonial-style windows
and wood fastened with hand-forged nails.
The museum features a series of rooms
distributed by geographic and historical
context of García Monge's time.
OUTDOOR
ART EXHIBITION, SAN RAFAEL, ESCAZÚ
The
Outdoor Art Exhibition takes place in
San Rafael de Escazú once a year, showing
a variety of paintings and sculptures
by almost 200 artists, in addition to
the participation of several art galleries
that strengthen the exhibition. Jewelers,
photographers and restorers are also present,
using the opportunity to sell their work.
The event allows new artists to interact
with nationally recognized artists.
SANTA
ANA
Situated
between the Escazú and Mora cantons at
the foot of the Escazú and Puriscal hills,
Santa Ana sits at an altitude of 904 meters
above sea level, and enjoys a warm, dry
climate. Its proximity to the capital,
as well as Escazú, Belén and Alajuela,
has enabled the development of a variety
of dining and lodging options, including
bed and breakfasts. The community combines
agriculture, especially onions, with clay
handicrafts, making Santa Ana a must-visit
destination that can be enjoyed along
with typical towns such as Piedades and
Río Oro.
UNIVERSITY
FOR PEACE
The
administration of President Rodrigo Carazo
(1978-1982) got the ONU to establish the
University for Peace in Costa Rica in
1980. Today the campus has ample facilities,
and studies there are directly related
to aspects of peace and democracy. Also
found here is the Monument to Peace, which
highlights the work of different Costa
Rican leaders in the interest of peace.
The area around the monument is a lovely
place for picnics and walks along nature
trails featuring educational signs. The
university is located seven kilometers
from Ciudad Colón in the community of
Rodeo.
PURISCAL.
West
of San José, Puriscal features irregular
topography. Santiago, the seat of the
canton, has an altitude of 1,105 meters
above sea level. Puriscal is a great place
to visit, thanks to its various attractions.
The Quitirrisí Indigenous Reservation,
just before Santiago, offers handicrafts
made by members of this ethnic group.
There are also typical villages, traditional
food and drink, tobacco plantations, natural
landscapes and various handicrafts made
of wood and other materials. A new attraction
is La Cangreja National Park, which features
a variety of natural attractions, some
of which are unique in the world. |
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