Central Valley Costa Rica
The central valley is the region around the capital San José.
The valley extends from the central mountains to the north to the "Cordillera de Talamanca" to the south of the valley. Juan Santamaria International Airport ( SJO ) is also located here.
The entire economic, political and cultural life of Costa Rica takes place in the central region, around the capital San José. Therefore, a stay of several days in and around San José is worthwhile. Many attractions await in the area. The country's highest and most attractive volcanoes are in close proximity to the capital, rivers, lakes and nature reserves. But of course Start San José also offers a popular destination that you can't miss: modern shopping centers, the best restaurants, interesting museums and authentic life on the streets.
We recommend looking for accommodation in the countryside near the city, so you have the city nearby, but are still in close proximity to nature. Of course, our Posada Nena in Santa Ana is ideal for this.
In the Cangreja National Park
La Cangreja National Park
Puriscal, Costa Rica
the youngest national park in Costa Rica - La Cangreja National Park has an area of 2520 hectares and is located in the western central valley. La Cangreja was only declared a national park in 2002, making it the youngest national park in Costa Rica.
Restaurants in San Jose and Santa Ana
Recommended restaurants around San Jose
The best gastronomy can be found in the western suburbs of Escazú and Santa Ana
This is not a restaurant guide, but rather just a small, quite subjective selection of particularly popular restaurants in San José and the surrounding area.
City Parks of San Jose, Costa Rica
City parks in the Central Valley of Costa Rica
There are plenty of city and leisure parks in the greater San Jose area
they are spacious and usually well maintained
El Rodeo Nature Reserve
Hiking & horseback riding in el Rodeo
The nature reserve is located west of Ciudad Colón
The Zona Protectora ( Nature Reserve) el Rodeo is one of the last large, contiguous forests that once covered the Central Valley.
San José, capital of Costa Rica
San Jose in the Central Valley
San José is the center of Costa Rica and is quite clear
Around 400,000 people live in San José - a tranquil size.
Santa Ana near San Jose
Santa Ana in the Central Valley
quiet small town in close proximity to San José
If you would like to escape the hustle and bustle of San José, you can escape west to Santa Ana.
Ciudad Colón in the central valley
Ciudad Colon
Small town located near Santa Ana, San José and the green mountains
Located just 8 kilometers west of Santa Ana, this friendly town with almost 14,000
Poas Volcano National Park
a must visit: the Poás volcano
Since the exciting eruption in 2017, the Poás volcano was closed for 18 months.
You can visit the volcano again since the end of August 18
the Irazú Volcano National Park
Irazú volcano
The water in the crater of the Irazú volcano has a bright green color.
You can see this if you look down into the 3,432 m high gorge from above.
The Orosi-Tapantí National Park
Tapanti National Park
Tapanti National Park is also called Orosi National Park
It is located near the slope of the Talamanca Cordillera
UPEACE, Peace University
United Nations University of Peace
The University for Peace, in German: Friedensuniversität, has its headquarters in Costa Rica.
UPEACE was founded by the United Nations in 1980. UPEACE University is not subject to UN regulations and is autonomous.
