Cultural Experience of Costa Rica

San José

San José is the capital.  The city offers many options for hotel accommodations and has several historic buildings such as the Melico Salazar Theater, National Museum, Metal Building, Children’s Museum, Costa Rican Art and Design Museum, Museum of Jade (recently renovated).

Poás Volcano; Alajuela Province

The Poás Volcano is an active 2,697-metre stratovolcano in central Costa Rica and is located within Poas Volcano National Park. It has erupted 40 times since 1828, including April 2017 when visitors and residents were evacuated. (The only views of this event were from the volcanology institute live camera)
Poás volcano is a powerful symbol of the geothermal forces that formed Costa Rica. When the mist and cloud’s part you’ll see the sulfuric, bubbling, green rain fed lake at the bottom, surrounded by smoke and steam rising from fumaroles. Water from the lake is constantly seeping through cracks in the hot rock, evaporating and building pockets of steam.
Poás is active, but don’t expect to see a full-fledged eruption or even any lava flow here, the most recent period of violent eruptive activity ended in 1954. The last major activity was in 1910.

Town of Sarchí

The town of Sarchí is known throughout Costa Rica for its beauty and handicrafts; vibrant and pretty oxcarts that are handcrafted here and sold all over the country. These oxcarts (a national symbol of Costa Rica) are a must buy for any tourist who loves to collect authentic souvenirs.
The oxcart plays a key role in the country’s history, as they were used to transport coffee beans & other goods to nearby and faraway markets and ports. Starting in 1840’s most of the rural roads were very rough making the ox cart the sole means of transportation for families even though the trips could take weeks at times.

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca; Limón Province

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a lively, colorful, and a bit rough town around the edges of southeast Costa Rica, on the Caribbean coast.

Setting along the turquoise Caribbean Sea in southeastern Costa Rica, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a laidback beach town with a distinctly Caribbean feel. With residents of both Afro-Caribbean and indigenous descent, Puerto Viejo offers a unique culture that can be found only in this part of Costa Rica.

It’s known for the Salsa Brava surf break and beaches like black-sand Playa Negra. The Jaguar Rescue Center rehabilitates wild cats and other animals
Here, coconut rice, Reggaeton beats, colorful homes, and a laidback attitude dominate. And with some of the country’s most beautiful beaches and lush jungle.

Guayabo National Monument

The Guayabo National Monument is one the most important archaeological sites in Costa Rica. This incredible place is located only 18 km from Turrialba, in the Cartago province.
By visiting it, you establish a connection with the most remote historical origins of the country. Scientific research in the area was supported by the University of Costa Rica. Nevertheless, there are still lots of hidden secrets to find out in this site, since only one fifth of the 20 Ha of the archaeological area has been dug. Not much is known about the way of life of the Guayabo village, but it is known that its population was able to live attuned in a hostile environment and reached a high level of sophistication due to the creation of complex systems to channel and distribute water.

Orosi Valley, Cartago Province

The Orosi valley is a peaceful town located at a modest 40 kilometers from San José. It is oldest Catholic Church that is still running in Costa Rica.
It is notable for its lush vegetation and incredible scenery. It’s an interesting and varied destination for the lovers of nature, culture, and history.
The village of Orosí was chosen, together with Ujarrás, by the Spanish conquerors to establish their first settlement in Costa Rica due to its water wealth and fertile land.
The viewpoint from the valley is the perfect location to spend a relaxed moment and enjoy one of the most wonderful views in the country.

Lankester Botanical Garden

Lankester Gardens is a University of Costa Rica Center for investigation that protects more than 800 species of orchids, bromeliads, and countless species of other plants, and has a world class collection of nearly a thousand varieties of orchids displayed at eye level. The huge number of plants means you can see blooms year-round, although Feb. through April is the most spectacular time to visit. The 26 acres of gardens are home to nearly 3,000 species in all. Many are rather mundane until they flower and might only flower for a day or two a year.

Orchids are surprisingly difficult to see in the wild. Even with a qualified guide you’d be lucky to spot a dozen during a full day in the forest. The majority are epiphytic, growing high in the canopy on trunks, branches or in crotches out of sight.