Heredia is a very interesting province of Costa Rica. The province is located in north-central part of the country. To the north it borders the San Juan River (border with Nicaragua), at east with the province of Limon, at south with the province of San Jose and at west with the province of Alajuela.
Heredia is located a very short distance of the capital San Jose. The lush and glorious province of Heredia is one of the most beautiful provinces of Costa Rica and its known for its green hills full of coffee plantations and its volcanic national park. This mountainous region also has dense tropical forests, stunning waterfalls and impressive rivers, which make it an ideal destination for those who enjoy nature. If you are in the region, definitely worth visiting the province of Heredia as it offers a plethora of activities both natural and adventure.
The capital of the province shares the same name of the province itself and is located only 10 kilometers north of the capital San Jose. Heredia is one of the largest cities in Costa Rica, with a very elegant environment. It is proud for having all the attractions that Costa Rica has to offer and this area is a great place to camp when a tourist is visiting the country. That is because in Heredia you are out of the tumult and trafficking of the capital and close enough to being able to enjoy everything that San Jose offers. With a small town atmosphere, in Heredia is easy to find enough hotels and accommodations to fit all budgets. Visitors can accommodate from resorts in the mountains to modern hotels in the heart of Heredia.
Heredia has several tourist attractions but probably the most famous is the Volcano Barva within the Braulio Carrillo National Park that is one of the few volcanoes that tourists can climb all the years. At the base of Volcán Barva are some wonderful green pastures and a majestic cloud forest near its top, where you can stay in a cottage with fireplace and some quiet restaurants that serve food grilled over wood timber of coffee. It is an idyllic environment for those who wish to enjoy a holiday surrounded by nature.
Braulio Carrillo and Tapanti National Parks are located north of Heredia and are filled with a plethora of wildlife. They are really beautiful with a dense forest due to the constant rain and offer to the ornithologists a rare vision of the quetzal, one of the most culturally significant birds in Central America. Among the animals that one can find here there are the puma and the tapir that tend to live in more dense vegetation. Another attraction that exists in Heredia includes the Butterfly Farm, The World of Snakes and the Zoo Bird, which provide a less dangerous but equally fantastic view of the wildlife of Costa Rica. The province of Heredia is very picturesque, full of history and old traditions. It has beautiful wooded mountains, plains and valleys watered by rivers which occasionally have waterfalls, lagoons or transit navigable for small boats, it also have attractitions as the Bosquede la Hoja, Monte de la Cruz, San Jose de la Montaña, Braulio Carrillo National Park in the sector of the Barva Volcano, the waterfalls of La Paz and the Angel. The region of Sarapiqui has been characterized by an increasing amount of tourist attractions like the practice of canopy, water rafting and hiking in the mountains.
In the other hand in the region of Santo Domingo is located the INBioparque which seeks to promote the value of biodiversity and the importance of conservation through recreation and education of visitors. Within its facilities can be found flora and fauna typical of the area that is being studied by the scientists.
The capital of the province of Heredia is the singular and small city of Heredia that is located 10 kilometers from San Jose in the foothills of the extinct Barva Volcano. Heredia is one of the most historic sites in Costa Rica and was founded in 1705. Its nickname “City of Flowers” is due to the large number of beautiful gardens and flora and fauna that are here. Located in the central part of Costa Rica among large coffee plantations and a lush green, Heredia is the ideal place to enjoy and relax with the family during the holidays.
Heredia is a place to relax and to rest; the biggest attraction is its splendid colonial architecture that is seen throughout the town. At the heart of the city and around the main square, a popular site for the people of the city, is the historic and majestic church of the Immaculate Conception of Heredia. Built in 1796 with bells imported from Cuzco, Peru, and its stained glass color is one of the oldest in the country. This church is located in the Central Park in Heredia, and has a variety of shops and restaurants around it.
You can also find in the Central Park of Heredia a temple dedicated to music and El Fortin, a magnificent colonial tower that was part of a Spanish stronghold. Next to some old buildings the park is home to The House of Culture which has historical exhibits of art.
Another reason why the city of Heredia is popular is that the Universidad Nacional is located here and has the principal veterinary colleges in Central America, as well as an outstanding department of biology. For that reason is easy to find many students throughout the city.
When you go to Heredia you need to climb to the top of Monte de la Cruz from where you will have the pleasure to see a spectacular view of the city, its surroundings and a large coffee plantation. From Heredia you will also have the opportunity to see in the distance the Poas and Barva volcanoes.
Being the perfect place to expend a holiday, Heredia is a great place to visit as it has a warm temperature throughout the year. With its proximity to San Jose you can enjoy a great vacation away from the crowds that usually fill the big cities.
Reaching Heredia is very easy, all you have to do is catch a flight to the airport in San Jose and from there take a bus or a car and drive 15 minutes to the city of Heredia. Beside the many wonderful cuisines of the many restaurants that are available in Heredia is easy to find enough hotels and lodgings throughout the city.
