Vacations to the Central Valley in Costa Rica offer the great opportunity to explore the capital San José, Escazu, Alajuela and the area around Santa Maria International Airport. There is a great choice of hotels in the region from budget accommodation to luxury hotel rooms. Attractions and tours in the area provide fun and relaxation for all the family.

Central Valley Vacation in Costa Rica

The province of San José has much to offer. Great shopping facilities in San José itself as well as in Escazu are combined with world class galleries and fine art collections, the Jade Museum or the pre-Columbian Gold Museum, the National Theatre and a plethora of restaurants serving international and local cuisine. From Río Tiribí to the peaks of Cerro Cedral in Cerros de Escazú, the canton is ideal for individual travellers and families alike. From the vibrant nightlife, Salsa dancing and Spanish language tuition in independent schools in San José to the national parks and rural communities in the rain forests in the interior – the Central Valley in Costa Rica is a vacation paradise.

Costa Rica Vacations to San José in the Central Valley

Families will love a day out in one of San José’s parks or a day at the Simon Bolivar National Zoo. The pre-Columbian Gold Museum offers tours and jewellery workshops for families, which can be combined with a spooky dinner in the Museum’s dark rooms surrounded by glittering pre-Columbian artefacts. Visitors wishing to take intensive Spanish lessons can do so in one of the language schools with up to five hours of tuition per day. Many hotels in the historic downtown district are architectural gems and an attraction in their own right. Great shopping, particularly the markets and unusual gift shops, and a fascinating nightlife with clubs, wine bars and café-culture await visitors in San José.

Vacations to Escazu in Costa Rica's Central Valley

The famous canton of Escazú lies just 7 km west of San José, overlooking the Central Valley. Some 1101 meters above sea level, Escazú has fine restaurants, excellent shopping centres, and a good facilities for mountains biking. Visitors preferring traditional markets to American style shopping malls should visit the Feria Street Market, where they can buy fruit and vegetables grown locally. Sipping a few sips of agua de pipa (coconut milk) will put travellers into the mood to explore the mainly quietly colonial residential areas in the town or to join local dances and parades held frequently in the summer.

Vacations to Alajuela in Costa Rica's Central Valley

Located 20 km northwest of San José, Costa Rica’s second largest city Alajuela was once the capital of Costa Rica. Within easy reach of the international airport and with excellent bus connections, it is easy to explore Alajuela and surrounding attractions even without a car, although most hotels will be happy to arrange for hire cars. Zoo Ave, a butterfly farm, is nearby, while a short drive will bring visitors to Poás Volcano, an active volcano overlooking the Central Valley. With a crater spanning some 2 km in diameter and with a depth of over 1000 metres, the Poás Volcano offers stunning views over a blue-green crate lake and surrounding forests.