Central Valley
Costa Rica's Central Valley Town of Turrialba
By Explore Costa Rica Staff
Oct 22, 2007, 17:45

Costa Rica Area Info: Central Valley Hotels: Things to Do: San Jose

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Tourists visit this area of Costa Rica most often on their way to the Monumento Nacional Guayabo or en route to whitewater rafting or kayaking trip on the Ríos Reventazon or Pacuare. Many of the mountain lodge-type Costa Rica hotels nearby have guided walks or horseback rides up dormant Volcán Turrialba volcano, though the lack of trails means that the volcano is otherwise inaccessible to independent visitors.

Turrialba - Costa Rica
At an elevation of 2,118 feet above sea level, Turrialba is in a valley located in one of the last great tropical rain forests, on the Reventazon river; surrounded by coffee, sugar cane, and macadamia farms in the shadow of a dormant volcano. It is located about an hour and a half east of Costa Rica's capital San Jose (65 km).

Turrialba services a population of 75,000. In the past it was an important stop on the old highway between San Jose and the Caribbean and for what was called "the jungle" train which was discontinued several years ago after a major earthquake.

Turrialba has universities, several high schools, cultural events and a friendly population of Turrialbenos who'll make you feel welcome.

The road into Turrialba winds its way through valleys with picturesque views. You can still see the un-used railroad tracks throughout the town. The old station is still in operation as a restaurant. The valley that Turrialba occupies was thought to have been a lake bed a millennium ago and is only 650 meters above sea level.