Unlike developed tourist destinations, Turrialba is the kind of place that takes you right into the nature of Costa Ricans. Here you will have the opportunity to combine a regional experience with some of the best white water rafting in Central America.
Turrialba used to be the main stopping place between San Jose and Limon before the opening of the Guapiles Highway, but not anymore. Today, this town has become a populated market town, where near 28,500 people enjoy a tranquil life surrounded by the apparently unnoticed beauty of the landscape.
When visiting Turrialba, you will find yourself immersed in streets and sidewalks bustling with people and activity. But action is not annoying, it is just a way to be in touch with Ticos, and to enjoy a first hand experience into Costa Rica's history and culture. You can peacefully stroll around the park and church, and stop for some coffee at one of the local bakeries, such as Merayo, La Castellana and Cafe Gourmet, and enjoy regional "Arepas" (cornmeal griddlecake) with honey, and a delicious cup of coffee.
There are several options for dinning, from local fast food, seafood, international and local cuisine, and more. You might want to consider stopping by at the market's area, where most Turrialbans gather for lunch, and allow yourself to enjoy a typical meal surrounded by fruit stands and gift shops. It is difficult to find in-town lodging facilities, but you may find interesting options in the surrounding areas.
Turrialba -once an important railroad stop- is located in Central Valley, 40 miles east of San Jose and 65 west of Puerto Limon. The town is at the bottom of Turrialba Volcano, and on clear-sky days you may enjoy the stunning view of the Volcano, as well as of Cerro Chirripo and other near-by mountains. The natural scenario surrounding Turrialba makes commercial activity seem meaningless, and all you want is to be on the road to one of the many tourist options near the area.
No matter what road you take, you will be stunned by the remarkable beauty of the landscape. From ridgetops you can view the valley and enjoy the urban setting of Turrialba, matching the deep green colors of forests and mountains. Protected rainforests of Chirripo National Park and Tapanti National Wildlife Refuge can also be viewed from higher lands.
CATIE
Created in 1940, CATIE is one of the 5 major tropical research centers in the world. The name stands for "Centro Agrícola Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza" (Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher Education Center). Students, professors and researchers from different parts of the continent come to help develop or learn from experimental agricultural projects undertaken here.
The 27,500-acre facilities include greenhouses, orchards, forest plantings, an herbarium, and a trail to the Reventazón River is excellent for bird watching. The site is only three miles east of Turrialba, and it can be reached either by CATIE's transportation, public bus, taxi or car, and a staff member will guide you through the facilities.
Guayabo National Monument
Costa Rica's most important archaeological site is located in a patch of protected upland rain forest 12 miles north of Turrialba. Guayabo National Monument lies on the slopes of Turrialba Volcano, and it is the largest and most important archaeological site of Costa Rica. It is only twelve miles from the town of Turrialba, and it can be accessed by public bus, taxi or car.
Some of the architectural structures remaining in this 218-hectare monument include cobble-paved causeways and streets, retaining walls, bridges and open aqueducts. The monument also protects an area of tropical wet forest displayed on a rugged irregular terrain, where small mammals, birds and amphibians can be spotted.
Archaeologists believe that the site was inhabited from 1500 B.C. until about 1400 AD, and although very little of what was once a city of 10,000 has been excavated, visitors can see parts of ancient roadways, aqueducts, pools, tombs and the foundations of homes. The surrounding forest is full of birds, especially "Oropendulas", whose woven nests can be seen hanging in colonies from the branches of larger trees.
Turrialba Volcano
This beautiful volcano can easily be reached from Turrialba. If you hire a taxi (around $65 round-trip), the driver will drop you off at Hacienda La Central, from where a road leads the way up to the summit, and wait for you on your way back. It is a two-hour hike before you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the crater, but the natural scenery all along is just worth the distance. A four wheel drive is required if you want to drive to the summit, but check for road conditions with an agent, since the road has been improved recently.
Viborana Park and Serpentarium
Viborana Park is located in the small town of Pavones, a 20-minute drive from downtown Turrialba. Visiting the site will give you a chance to experience what wildlife rehabilitation and education is all about, and what it can do to the environment.
Other nearby attractions
Check Parque La Dominica and Balneario Las Americas, two locally managed recreational parks near downtown Turrialba, featuring picnic area, pools and swings for children's delight.
Small and back country styled towns near Turrialba may hold beautiful and unexpected experiences for travelers who enjoy wandering along unknown roads. Tuis, Moravia, Pavones, Pochotel and Tres Equis, just to mention a few, are some of the tiny towns along a winding and uphilly road surrounded by a gorgeous landscape. The views over the town of Turrialba and toward the Volcano and the Talamanca Range are the best.
Geographical Division 
