Central Valley

The cultural and urban heart of the country, home to San José and other major cities in the Greater Metropolitan Area. It is an excellent region for exploring Costa Rica’s history, museums, architecture, gastronomy, coffee culture, and nearby volcanoes, and it also works well as the starting or ending point of a trip. The official tourism materials describe San José as the country’s political and economic center.

Key places in the region: San José, Poás Volcano, Irazú Volcano, Cartago, Orosi Valley, and coffee-growing areas around Heredia and Alajuela.