RegionOutline guide

Central Valley (Costa Rica)

Plateau and a geographic region of central Costa Rica

Photo: CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz, releases all rights but a photo credit would be appreciated if this image is used anywhere other than Wikipedia. Please leave, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Costa Rica's Central Valley is the most populated region of the country; the capital city, San José, is there and so is the Juan Santamaría airport. The Central Valley includes charming small towns, towering volcanoes, and dense jungle landscapes like the huge Braulio Carrillo National Park.

Getting there and around

Getting there

By plane

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Getting around

The Costa Rican railway network was never all that extensive and has suffered in the 20th century, but in the Central Valley government investment in the 21st century has helped build a small network mostly aimed at…

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Airports and nearby hotels

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Juan Santamaría International Airport

San José (Alajuela) · International · SJO

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Cities

Camino de Costa Rica

170 km route from Atlantic to Pacific, passing through beaches, swamps, rainforests and mountains

El Camino del Cielo y Colibríes

A scenic drive through the Aguacate Mountains Biological Corridor between the towns of Berlin de San Ramon and Llano Brenes. Known for its spectacular views and bird watching. This route travels down a mountain ridge through several eco-zones.

Read before you go to Central Valley (Costa Rica)

Articles and travel topics about Central Valley (Costa Rica) and Costa Rica.

Travel tips

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Inspiration

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Nature & adventure

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Discover the best nature retreats and farm stays for a relaxing break, featuring Tuscan agriturismi, cloud forest lodges, and fjord cabins.

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Nature & adventure

Birdwatching in Costa Rica

One of the most wonderful activities in Costa Rica is birdwatching. You can enjoy birdwatching throughout Costa Rica.

Wikivoyage

Full travel guide

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UnderstandThe Valley of Pérez Zeledon is one of the most intensive cultivated areas of Costa Rica. Several indigenous communities, like Terraba or Boruca, inhabit and cultivate land in this region.

Get inIf coming from San Carlos (Nicaragua) a change of bus in Ciudad Quesada may be necessary.

Get aroundThe Costa Rican railway network was never all that extensive and has suffered in the 20th century, but in the Central Valley government investment in the 21st century has helped build a small network mostly aimed at…

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Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Central Valley (Costa Rica)" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Costa Rican Central Valley", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz, releases all rights but a photo credit would be appreciated if this image is used anywhere other than Wikipedia. Please leave, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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