WELCOME TO HEREDIA
Sitting just a short distance from the Capitol San Jose, the lush and gorgeous province of Heredia is one of the most beautiful provinces in Costa Rica. Known for its verdant coffee plantation covered hills and volcanic national parks; this mountainous region also has dense tropical forests, stunning waterfalls and roaring rivers that make it the ideal destination, for those who wish to enjoy nature at its very best. Offering a plethora of activities both nature and adventure based, the province of Heredia is definitely worth a visit if you happen to be in the region.
With its provincial capital sharing the same name, this province is located just around 10 km north of San Jose City. Heredia is one of Costa Rica’s larger cities and has a very elegant feel to it. Boasting nearly all the amenities that San Jose has to offer. This is because you are away from all the humdrum and traffic of the capital, yet close enough to enjoy the best of what San Jose has to offer. With a more low-key and small city feel to it, there are plenty of hotels and accommodations in Heredia to suit every budget. Visitors here can stay anywhere from mountain resorts to modern hostels in the heart of the city.
With several tourist attractions in Heredia, probably the most famous is the Volcan Barva, inside the Braulio Carrillo National Park. One of the few volcanoes that tourists can climb, the Volcan Barva has wonderful green pastures at its base and majestic cloud forests near its summit. For those who want to enjoy a more relaxing trip head north, where you can stay in fire-warmed cottages near quaint restaurants that serve simple fare cooked over coffee-wood fires. This is idyllic for those who wish to spend a quiet vacation amidst nature.
The Braulio Carrillo and Tapantí National Parks sit in the north of Heredia and are packed with a plethora of wildlife. Lush and thick due to constant rainfall, these parks offer bird lovers a rare glimpse of the quetzal, one of the most culturally significant birds in Central America. Among the other animals that one can catch sight of are pumas and tapirs that tend to live in more dense forestation. Other attractions in Heredia include the Butterfly Farm, El Mundo de las Serpientes and Zoo Ave, which offer a less dangerous view, but equally fantastic view of Costa Rica’s wildlife.
