This guide is related to the Heredia region of the Central Valley; Thus; There are references to downtown Heredia and also many of the towns around Heredia, especially in the northern mountains, such as Barva, San Rafael, San Isidro, where there are many coffee plantations and throughout the year with fresh air.
The center of Heredia is a medium-sized city in Costa Rica in the Saint Joseph Metropolitan area. The city itself is not exceptional, but pleasant. The National Autonomous University (National Autonomous University) has its main campus there. Heredia is located near the Juan Santamaría and San José airports.
Cities
- Barva to the north is a small mountain village known for its preservation of ancient traditions, a museum (Museo de Cultura Popular) for that purpose and the August "turn" (fair) with masks are the most famous features of Barva in honor to San Bartolomé.
- San José de la Montaña Y Sacrament They are mountain villages in Barva on the way to the Barva Volcano section of the Braulio Carrillo National Park.
- San Rafael to the northeast it is known for its many coniferous tunnels that surround the main road that goes to the Castillo (private) country club, which has an atmosphere similar to a European forest.
- Mount of the cross It is a small section at the north end of San Rafael with a public park with great views of the central valley.
- Saint Barbara It is a residential city between Barva and Alajuela with a couple of boutique hotels.
- Santo Domingo , a city between Heredia and Tibás. The research institute of the institution, with the park is located here
To get
In the center of the Central Valley, Heredia is easily accessible by road and train.
By bus
From San José, there are four bus lines that travel to Heredia:
- Yellow: goes from San José, through the Inter-American Highway directly to Heredia.
- The 400: It goes from Uruca de Heredia, useful especially for workers.
- Tibás: Visits Tibás and Santo Domingo, nice route to get a quick overview of the small cities of San José.
- Tuasa: Goes through Alajuela Heredia, but not all walks. Ask the driver.
By car
- From the airport instead of following the Inter-American highway towards San José, turn left at the first crossroads and follow the Heredia signs, this route passes through San Joaquín de Flores and directly into the center of Heredia. From Alajuela it is a similar route, or you can take the internal route through Santa Bárbara and Barva.
- From San José, take the Interamerican highway and near the first roundabout or a Juan Pablo II bridge, keep right without taking the bridge, follow the road, cross the Virilla bridge, keep your right and you will be in Heredia.
- Cab use an official taxi service, those colored orange (airport shuttles only) or those red with a yellow triangle. NEVER take a taxi from the officer, there are many crime reports on which. There is an informal service of porters with a blue circle, those are not safe either, and users cannot legally pick up on the streets, only door to door.
By train
- Take the train at the Al Atlántico Station in downtown San José, there are three stops near Heredia, but the Heredia station is the last as of September 2013. Service is only available in travel hours and the train gets very full.
Travel
You can easily walk to most places in Heredia, you can take a taxi that costs less than ₡ 1000 Costa Rican colones. In the middle of the city center is the central park.
Watch
Heredia Downtown
- 1 Central Park. The city's central square is adorable and charming, and contains most of the city's landmarks. Many shops and restaurants line this plaza, as well as many college students and romantics.
Church of the Immaculate Conception
- 2 Church of the Immaculate Conception. Built in 1797, it is the focal point.
The fortin
- 3 The fortin. The symbol of Heredia, even though it is closed to the public. It was built in 1876 by then-President Tomás Guardia as a defense. In 1974 this monument was declared a symbol and characteristic of the city of Heredia Nacional.
- 4 Post Office. The old post office, still in use, give an idea of what the city was like back in its heyday.
- 5 city Hall. City Hall building.
- 6 Argentine Republic School. Old elementary school.
House of Culture
- 7 House of Culture. This historic house, former residence of the president of Costa Rica Alfredo Gonzáles Flores, gives periodic art and music rotations.
- 8 Old building facade. The freestanding facade of a demolished building is placed in front of what is apparently a parking lot.
- 9 Liceo de Heredia. Heredia's first secondary school. It occupies most of an entire block, a beautiful architecture.
- 10 Carmen Church. Beautiful Catholic Church, across the street is a recently renovated park.
Barva
- 11 Historical Center. Around the main square and surrounding the local church, most of the houses and buildings replicate the construction techniques used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The main square displays many sculptures and holds various artistic events during all year.
- 12 Museum of Popular Culture. A museum managed by the National Autonomous University (UNA), created with the purpose of preserving and sharing the old customs of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The main attractions is the distance residence of President Alfredo González Flores.
Sarapiqui
- 13 La Paz Waterfall. A majestic waterfall on the route from Heredia Sarapiquí through Barva, public access with no fee required, but parking space around the waterfall may be limited..
La Paz Waterfall
Santo Domingo
- 14 INBiopark. A small artificial park that offers a sample of the varied flora and fauna of Costa Rica in one place. They also actively research and catalog new species and collaborate with many foreign institutions.Price: USD $ 25.
Do
Stream waterfall
- In Barva"The buses from Heredia are with all kinds of small nearby mountain villages. In particular, there is a bus to the city of Barva, ten minutes north. Barva is small and cute, but it has a river with beautiful waterfalls and pools. Bus route to Barva ends in the central square in front of the church. If you are facing the church you will see a street that runs directly in front of the church. Walk to the left of the church and follow the first path on the left after the one that passes in front of the church. Follow this road for a quarter of a mile and it will run into a playground, to the left of it there will be a path that goes to the river, follow this map upstream of half a mile and you find an eight foot waterfall with a nice swimming hole and rocks that get great sun. There are more waterfalls and gorgeous pools further up the river, but the trail has its limits. Enjoy
Golf
- Cariari Country Club, City of Cariari (Between the airport and San José and next to the Real Cariari shopping center.).
Outside Recreation
- 1 Mount of the cross, San Rafael. A local government managed a recreation park in the heights of San Rafael, a very accessible fee is required for entry. Beautiful views of the Central Valley, easy trails for hiking, picnic and games, soccer and basketball pitches, large parking area..
View from Monte de la Cruz - 2 Leaf Forest (Las Chorreras), San Rafael. A very simple recreational park maintained by the local government Heredia company and the ESPH utility with the purpose of protecting the nearby forests that produce most of the water for the region, which is located in the heights of San Rafael, a very fee is required. accessible for entry. Large empty areas with grass and a couple of hiking trails.
Recreation area in the Forest of the Leaf.
Hiking trail in Forest of the Leaf
Tours
- 3 Britt Coffee Tour. ☎ 506 2277 1600, ✉: [email protected]. A guided tour of a recreated coffee plantation near the center of Heredia that explains the entire process necessary to grow, prepare and taste coffee.Price: USD $ 22.
To buy
Malls
- 1 Walk of the Flowers. Standard mall with food court and movie theaters. Probably the most visited in Heredia.
- 2 Heredia Square. It used to be the first shopping center in Heredia, but little by little most of its retail spaces have been rented by the offices of the National University. A few restaurants are available.
- 3 Real Cariari. The mall, popular with office workers.
- 4 Rubí Square. Small U-loop mall with a few restaurants and banks.
Markets
- 5 farmer's festival (Farmer's market), 14th avenue. Every Saturday morning at the southern end of the city, the street is closed to car traffic.
- 6 Central Market, 6th and 8th Avenue, and 2nd and 4th Street. Market-owned town, with butchers, grain stores, fish market and a couple of "sodas" (little restaurants). A visit is a must. It takes up a whole block.
- 7 Florense Market, Avenida 8 y 10, and calle central y 2. Privately owned market with similar stores to Mercado Central nearby.
Souvenirs and craft shops
- Octagon Gallery, The Angels of San Rafael de Heredia (Road to Mount of the Cross). Handmade textile art and crafts. Natural wood furniture, clocks and lamps. Art classes.
To eat
Heredia has become a gourmet paradise (Relative to Costa Rica), there are many high quality restaurants that prepare exotic dishes and local dishes with a very affordable range of prices for each client.
Caribbean
- 1 Mami's Caribbean Delights, Central Street, Avenues 1 and 3. Pati, plantintá, rice and beans, all the exoticism of the Caribbean.Price: ₡ 3,000.
- 2 Caribbean Corner, Central Street, Avenues 1 and 3 (26th Street, Central Avenue and 2). ☎ 506 2237-4916. Family business selling rice and beans, Rondón, Pati and the like. Veg-friendly.Price: ₡ 3,000.
China
- 3 Lung Fung, Avenue 4, 5 and 7 Calles. Spring rolls (huge Chinese tacos) and plates.Price: ₡ 5,000.
Costa Rica
- 4 House of my Land. Costa Rican staple, a little on the expensive side.Price: ₡ 7,000.
- 5 Soda Paco Alfaro. A typical "Soda", staple food and good service. Its original location is in the Central Market of Heredia.Price: ₡ 4,000.
- 6 Longings. ☎ 506 2267-7406, 506 2267-6481.
A typical food restaurant with a good view, lots of outdoor games for kids and a mean antique museum.Price: ₡ 7,000. - 7 Strawberries. Equivalent of a North American diner restaurant from Costa Rica. Huge desserts and sandwiches; Order the Lorenzo sandwich.
- 8 Maize House. Any and all of the many corn or corn-based dishes can be found here.
International
Japanese
- 10 Sushi Home, Heredia Square. It is a popular sushi place among college students and office workers.Price: ₡ 7,000.
- 11 Sushi nippon, Heredia Square. It is a popular sushi place among college students and office workers.Price: ₡ 7,000.
- 12 Ichiban, Walk of the Flowers. A luxury sushi chain.Price: ₡ 10,000.
- 13 Makizu, Plaza Roble Sabana. This restaurant serves Japanese, Filipino and Korean dishes.Price: ₡ 7,000.
Middle East (Lebanon)
- 14 Shawarma Nataly, Calle 9, Avenidas 2 y 4 (Next to Burger King). Great mixed sandwiches with chicken shawarma, beef and falafel. Very cheap, delicious, and satisfying.Price: ₡ 2,000.
- 15 Cedar Lebanese Restaurant, Avenue 2, 5 and 7 Calles. The service is excellent and surprising Lebanese food.Price: ₡ 2,000.
- 16 Shawarma Hassan, Calle 9, Avenidas 4 y 6. Shawarma, falafel and other Lebanese dishes.Price: ₡ 3,000.
- 17 Baalbek. ☎ 506 2267-6683. One of the oldest Lebanese restaurants in Costa Rica, famous throughout the country due to the incredible view and belly dancing and live music.Price: ₡ 15,000.
Latin American
- 18 Argentine customs, Calle 2, Avenidas 1 y 3. Delicious empanadas, meat dishes and pizza.Price: ₡ 5,000.
- 19 Ulna. Cuban staple food, this is where you can get the Cuban version of Gallo Pinto, Congrí.Price: ₡ 7,000.
- 20 Mexican party. A veteran restaurant in Heredia with many years preparing delicious Mexican food.Price: ₡ 5,000.
- 21 La Parrillita de Pepe. Colombian fast food, huge hot dogs and hamburgers.Price: ₡ 7,000.
- 22 Ceviche del Rey, Santo Domingo, Avenida 3, Calles central y 1. Great Peruvian restaurant, delicious ceviche and seafood, many other dishes like chaufa rice and pasta are available.Price: ₡ 8,000.
Pizza and pasta
- 23 Pizza Mangiare. ☎ 506 2560-6025. Great pizzas, the delivery specialists. Price of the flat rate of pizza according to the size not the toppings.Price: ₡ 8 000.
- 24 The Pentola d'Oro, Avenue 2, 5 and 7 Calles. Authentic Italian dishes cooked by your Italian property. Pasta specialists. Offers pizza at night.Price: ₡ 4 000.
- 25 L'Antica Rome, 7th Street, 7th Avenue (in front of the Hotel Valladolid). ☎ 506 2262-9073. Good Italian food at a decent price.Price: ₡ 6,000.
- 26 Tasty pizza, 4th Avenue, 5th and 7th Streets. ☎ 506 2560-8787. The thick and juicy pizza at an affordable price.Price: ₡ 5,000.
Seafood
- 27 The Seafood Boat (San Rafael de Heredia). Costa Rican Seafood Staple served in a beautiful mid 20th century home.Price: ₡ 7,000.
Beef and beef
- 28 La Candelaria. From beef, steak and crepes, charismatic service and high-quality dishes.Price: ₡ 7,000.
Vegetarian vegan /
- 29 Loving Hut (Calle 3, Avenidas 3 y 1). ☎ 506 2260 0707. Fully vegetarian local cuisine, served in large Latin portions. Open pole.Price: ₡ 3 500.
- 30 KoB Cafe (Calle 9, Avenida 5, Casa Azul). ☎ 506 8745 4819. Vegetarian and vegan cafeteria. It offers lunch, dinners and desserts.Price: ₡ 5,000.
To drink
- 1 Green Dragon Pub & Grill. ☎ 506 2267 6222. At the Hotel Chalet Tirol. 6 km north of San Rafael de Heredia.
- 2 Boulevard Relax. Very popular with college students. This place and its surroundings will be packed almost every Friday and Saturday night. Beers, bar food, pool tables, foosball tables, two floors.
- 3 Cardero
- 4 The Cadejo, 1st Street, 11th and 13th Avenues.Bar and restaurant with seasonal craft beer products and artisan made food.
- 5 From Chichi Sport Bar & Grill. American as a sports bar, with lots of big screens all tuned to sports shows, hot wings, burgers and the like.
- 6 Hooligan by, Walk of the Flowers. Sports bar with a good selection of beers and huge burgers.
- 7 Hooters, Bratsi Square. Yes, the American chain.
Sleep
Heredia offers hotels at several different price levels, including the backpackers variety. Local buses ply the route between Heredia and San José, taking about twenty minutes to reach the main tourist areas of San Jose.
Mountain
- 1 Hotel and Villas La Condesa. ☎ 506 2267-6000, ✉: [email protected]. High in the mountains of Heredia it offers a great view of the city and the central valley. On Sundays there is a buffet in the Patio del Conde restaurant open to all visitors.Price: USD $ 100.
- 2 Hotel Chalet Tirol. ☎ 506 2267 6222. Switzerland like chalets in the mountains and the international restaurant "Los Tiroleses".Price: USD $ 100.
- 5 Hotel Monte Campana (Quality Hotel), Birri, Santa Barbara (1.8 km from Barrio Jesús there is a turn signal to the left, towards Birri. Turn left at the traffic sign in Birri. Transform the next 2 turns to the left and you will reach the hotel). ☎ 506 2269-8724. Many types of rooms, cabins hostel with kitchen and private bathroom. The property has the Diligencia restaurant, and a pool with slide and jacuzzi.Price: USD $ 35.
- 7 Hotel El Pórtico, Birrí, Heredia. ☎ 506 2266-1732. With Italian restaurant "Las Tres Marías" and private trails with access to a nearby stream.Price: CRC ₡ 39,500.
- 8 Hotel Villa Zurquí, route 32. ☎ 506 2268-8856, 506 2268-7026, ✉: [email protected]. Cozy hotel with chalet-style rooms with restaurant (Las Calas Restaurant). Located on National Route 32, the main access from the Central Valley of Limón and the Caribbean.Price: USD $ 60.
City
- 9 Hotel Heredia, 6th Street, 3rd and 5th Avenues (about three blocks west and two blocks north of Central Park. Managed by Hotel America.). One of the cheapest hotels with adequate interior. Near Central Park.
- 10 Hotel America. ☎ 506 2260-9292. Probably the most comfortable place in the center of Heredia. It is located half a block from Central Park.
- 11 Hotel India, 7th Street and 11th Avenue, Heredia. ☎ 506 2560-7161, ✉: [email protected]. Price: USD $ 50.
- 13 Hotel Hojarascas, Calles 4-6, Avenida 8, Heredia (50 meters from "Los Angeles" church, in front of the parking lot "Mas X menos" supermarket.). ☎ 506 2261-3649.
- 14 Hotel Bougainvillea. ☎ 506 2244-1414, free phone: 1-866-880-5441, ✉: [email protected]. Sophisticated hotel in Santo Domingo, near INBio Parque and between Heredia and San José cities.
- 15 Hotel Cibeles Resort, Route 113. ☎ 506 2260-3176, 506 2261-3528, 506 8394-9685, free phone: 1 323 247-8604, ✉: [email protected]. Between the city and the mountains of San Rafael.Price: USD $ 60.
Next destiny
- Alajuela:
- The scenic route from Heredia to Poás Volcano goes directly from Barva north, look for Route 126 green signs and brown signs with directions to Poás Volcano.
- Also through Río Segundo to get to the airport fast, just follow the airport signs.
- Saint Joseph: Follow the white signs, there are two ways, the most direct through Uruca that joins Route 1 or the Interamericana Sur, and also through Santo Domingo and Tibás that ends in the extreme north (Barrio Amón) of the downtown San José.