Things to Do in Central Valley

The dazzling centerpiece of Costa Rica’s Tenorio Volcano National Park, the Rio Celeste is most famous for its shockingly bright blue color. The river’s hue results from a natural reaction of volcanic sulfur and calcium carbonate, which tints the clear waters.

 

Reached by hiking through the surrounding rain forest, Rio Celeste rewards visitors with its natural beauty and a number of other sights along the river. Most notable are the Rio Celeste Waterfall, a favorite photo spot where the river tumbles into a striking blue lagoon; the Teñideros, where two rivers merge in the Celeste; and the Poza Azul, the most stunning “dye pool.”

 

Many travelers opt to visit the national park on a 1- or 2-day tour from Tamarindo or La Fortuna. Excursions usually include a hike to the waterfall. Although swimming is prohibited within the park, it is possible to bathe in the river’s hot springs or enjoy white-water tubing along the river.    

 

 

The Río Celeste is located in Tenorio Volcano National Park in northwestern Costa Rica, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from San José. There is no public transport directly to the park, but it’s possible to take a taxi from the nearby town of Bijagua.

 

The river’s startling color change is best viewed during the dry season (December to April). Excess rainfall can dilute the reactive chemicals, leaving the waters with a less appealing muddy hue. The busiest period is from February to April, when it’s best to make an early start. Hikers allowed on the trail are limited, so you might find yourself having to wait if it gets too crowded.

 

Hiking is the main activity in Tenorio Volcano National Park and there are a number of well-signposted short trails to follow. The Waterfall Trail is the main attraction, but worthwhile detours include the Mirador, a 5-minute trail that affords gorgeous views across the rain forest; and the Tenorio Volcano trail, although it’s not possible to climb to the summit. The park also harbors a wealth of wildlife, including tapirs, howler monkeys, ocelots, and jaguars.

This lush public park at the center of San Jose was named after Francisco Morazan, an old-school general who tried to unite all of Central America into one common country. And while Morozan Park was once a hub for San Jose's grit and grime (it used to be a known for drug sales and prostitution), the park has recently undergone a complete renaissance. 

Travelers can safely wander through the green gardens that make Morazan Park a respite from the otherwise urban feel of San Jose and stretch out for an afternoon picnic on thick lawns under massive shade trees. The Templo de Musica, a concrete gazebo at the center of the land, is the highlight of any visit to Morazan Park"”especially when live local musicians are playing.

Built using funds donated by Andrew Carnegie in 1912, Costa Rica's Yellow House is a noteworthy (and noticeable!) building that houses the Central American Court of Justice. It has since been appropriated for use as a presidential home, a temporary facility for the Legislative Assembly and, most often, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cult.

Travelers can explore the grounds on their own or take a self-guided tour through one of San Jose's most famous buildings. Once a week, local history experts offer official tours, which include a visit to the Museum Marques Manuel Maria Peralta, a gallery named after one of the country's most important diplomats that is stationed on site. 

Costa Rica contains some of the most diverse, tropical ecosystems on the planet, filled with rich wildlife that is famous around the world. Proyecto Asis is a wildlife rescue center focused on the protection and rehabilitation of local animals. Visitors can tour the facilities, take Spanish classes, or volunteer to care for the animals, whose natural habitats are often threatened by human development and expansion in the area.

Rangers rescue the jungle animals which have been neglected, abandoned, or poached, and offered shelter and care. Parrots, monkeys, kinkajou, and peccaries are a few of the animals cared for. Many are on the brink of extinction, with rescue centers contributing to the species’ longevity. Some are even able to be released back into the wild.

A visit to the center is an excellent way to see the animals up close, while simultaneously learning and contributing to the preservation of local wildlife.

Poas Volcano National Park houses one of the more popular volcanoes in Costa Rica—a telling superlative for a country with world-famous geothermal activity. But with its spectacular wildlife, informative museum, and variety of hiking trails, the accolade comes as no surprise.

 

Poas Volcano makes for a thrilling day-trip destination from San Jose, as tours regularly depart from the city for the volcano and often combine a visit with other popular Costa Rica activities such as white-water rafting, coffee plantation tours, or a stop at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

Though a thick cloud forest and scenic vistas line the way up Poas Volcano, the crater steals the show. Poas Volcano’s mile-long (1.6-kilometer-long) crater is filled with the deep, rain-fed Botos Lagoon and dotted with smoking fumaroles—a view most will find accessible from the paved, 0.3-mile (half-kilometer) trail leading there from the visitors' center. Two slightly longer hikes offer incredible opportunities to spot wildlife like hummingbirds, wildflowers, and the elusive quetzal.

  

The easiest way to visit Poas Volcano is as part of a guided day tour. The park is also accessible with private transportation. Bus services to Alajuela are sparse.

 

Get the best views when you visit early in the day during the dry season (December through April). Clouds typically roll in around noon, and many of the park’s facilities close by 3pm.

These ancient caves were carved by tectonic movement and water currents passing over limestone for millions of years. Today they’re a deep network of tunnels — many that never see light. Here visitors will find stalactites, stalagmites, unique rock formations, subterranean rivers and caverns, and fossil remnants of the past. There is also interesting wildlife throughout, including bats, fish, insects and frogs who call the caves home. The rock formations take interesting shapes for which they are named such as “papaya,” “altar,” “lion’s head” and “coral.”

In total the caves stretch nearly 2,700 meters and with water dripping from the ceiling and flowing below, the caves have a mystical, almost otherworldly feel to them that is best for the adventurous at heart. First discovered by native Guatusos, it is estimated that the caves are somewhere between 15 and 20 million years old.

The Children's Eternal Rainforest (Bosque Eterno de los Niños) encompasses 55,600 acres (22,500 hectares) of protected forest, making it the largest private reserve in Costa Rica. The park was born from a classroom fundraising project that began in 1987 in Sweden and the United States, known as the Children's Rainforest Movement. To date, students from 44 countries around the world have contributed to the purchase of rainforest near Monteverde for the purpose of protection.

The Children's Eternal Rainforest is among the last of Costa Rica's reserves to house jaguars, who live alongside 120 other species of mammals, 440 species of birds and 700 species of butterflies"”three percent of the world's butterfly population.

Bajo del Tigre, one of the park's most popular trails, takes visitors on a 2-mile (3.5-km) walk through the park's secondary forest. Nightly twilight walks give a glimpse into the nocturnal fauna of the park. Two biological stations offer accommodations inside the park.

Tumbling waterfalls, luxury spa and dining options, and the dramatic backdrop of Arenal Volcano set Tabacon Hot Springs apart from Costa Rica’s many thermal springs. Numerous pools dotting the Tabacon River create a completely natural hot spring experience on a private rain forest reserve, perfect for a day of pure relaxation. 

Adventure-weary travelers flock to Tabacon Hot Springs for a welcome change of pace from endless action. Spend the day soaking in volcanically heated waters—taking breaks to swim up to the waterfront bar or fly down the thermal water slide—for a true taste of pura vida. Though it is possible to stay at an on-site resort for unlimited hot spring access, most visitors opt for full-day or half-day passes with upgrades including meals, spa packages, and specialty experiences such as a nighttime soak under the moonlight. Many Arenal area tours, such as those from San Jose, include a visit to the hot springs as well—an ideal way to unwind after an action-packed volcano hike or rain forest tour.  

Though it feels remote, Tabacon Hot Springs is located just off a main highway (Route 142) and is an easy drive from La Fortuna or San Jose. Many also visit as part of a day tour of the Arenal area, thanks to the location of the private rain forest reserve between Arenal Volcano and Arenal Volcano National Park. 

Tabacon Hot Springs is open all year but is most enjoyable during the dry season from late November through mid-April. Enjoy the maximum recharge from the mineral-rich waters by visiting after an adventure-packed day.

The diversity of pools at Tabacon is one of its greatest draws. Pools range from 72–105°F (22–40°C) and offer big spaces perfect for playing and socializing as well as more secluded nooks. There is also a cool-water pool on-site.

Bountiful produce stalls, local-approved cafeterias, and vendor stalls selling everything from coffee beans to cowboy boots give visitors to San Jose’s Central Market (Mercado Central) a taste of real Costa Rican culture. Visit as part of an epic errand run or for a chance to look behind-the-scenes at everyday life in Costa Rica. 

Whether you’re looking for free entertainment or you just forgot to pack your floss, most San Jose visitors will find themselves in the Central Market at some point during their stay in Costa Rica’s capital city. As the largest market in the city, the Central Market usually offers the lowest prices around town on every good imaginable, but with the highest hustle and bustle. Be prepared for sensory overload, and take your time browsing the maze of more than 200 stalls and eateries. 

To learn about the many goods on offer, including products unique to Costa Rica, visit the market as part of a guided tour. San Jose walking tours and sightseeing tours sometimes include the market for a look at local culture, while niche local experiences such as food tours and art tours will help you explore the market from a distinct lens. 

The San Jose Central Market is located in downtown San Jose just four blocks northwest of Central Park and bordered by Avenida Central and 1 and Calles 6 and 8. The market is most easily accessed in one of San Jose’s many taxis, and a handful of bus stops, including Leon XIII and Quesada Duran, are also within walking distance.

The Central Market is roughly open from sunup to sundown. Plan your visit for early in the day to avoid large crowds and fill up on a hearty breakfast with a sweet cup of coffee, or head over around midday for the full effect and plentiful lunch options. The market is closed on Sundays.

Though it may seem like a chaotic flea market, the Central Market unassumingly combines history and modern commerce, having served as a marketplace since 1880, though it was probably quieter back in the day.

This easy-to-spot structure was built in Brussels and imported to Costa Rica via France in 1896. Upon arrival in San Jose, it served as one of the country's very first schools. Because the original site was mostly swamplands, the Belgian company constructed the individual iron pieces overseas before assembling them onsite, once they arrive in Costa Rica. 

Today, Metallic Building serves as homage to public education and two primary schools"”Buenaventura Corrales and Julia Lang"”still operate inside its historic halls. Visitors can explore the grounds on their own, or participate in one of the city's historic walking tours to learn more about this iconic building.