San Jose and Around
San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, is situated in the Central Valley, as well as Cartago, the previous Spanish capital. The Central Valley is surrounded by impressive volcanic mountain ranges, especially the Cordillera Central on the eastern side of the valley.
San Jose -
Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Museo de Oro Precolombino) - The Gold Museum has one of the biggest collectiosn of pre-Columbian gold jewelry in Central America – pins, pendants, earrings, and other decorative goodies in stylized animal shapes. Spirogyra Butterfly Garden - Prepare to be boggled by the sight of dozens of colorful butterflies flitting around this tropical garden. The orchids and waterfall is a sight in itself. You can go through the garden on your own or take a tour (English or Spanish).La Sabana Park (Parque la Sabana) - Need to spend a few hours relaxing? Head over to La Sabana Park, where there are playgrounds, picnic tables, grass to run around. La Salle Natural History Museum has exhibits of the rich and varied wildlife of Costa Rica, including a huge sea turtle. On a day when the wind blows and blows, buy a kite and fly it on the little artificial hill.Pueblo Antiguo (Parque National de Diversiones) - Pueblo Antiguo is a re-creation of a Costa Rican town around 1900. The town has a church, market, fire station, bank, replicas of sugar and coffee mills and the Tortuguero canals. Take a ride in an oxcart or horse drawn carriage. People are dressed in typical clothing of the time, and there are folklorico dance shows and musicians on the streets. Next to Pueblo Antiguo is an amusement park and water park.Zoo Ave (La Garita, south of Alajuela) - This wildlife conservation park is a great way to see animals local to Costa Rica. In the wild it's hard to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous quetzal bird, but at Zoo Ave you're guaranteed a long look at two beautiful emerald-colored quetzales. In the open air enclosures, you'll find colorful parrots, toucans, macaws, a crusty crocodile, caimans, iguanas, kinkajous and many birds.
Sarchi - Sarchi is a craft center where artisans make beautifully painted oxcarts. The oxcarts were once used to transport coffee, but now the oxcarts are a craft in itself. You'll want to take home a small souvenir (not a full size oxcart).
Zacero - It's worth a short stop at Zacero for the kids to get out and run around the topiary, green hedges shaped into fantastic shapes. Dr. Seuss couldn't have done it better.
