Things to Do
Paraiso, Cartago:San Jose Day Trip: Central Valley, Costa Rica
By Explore Costa Rica Staff
Aug 1, 2008, 14:44

Paraiso, Cartago: San Jose Day Trip: Central Valley, Costa Rica

Paraiso, Orosi Valley, Costa Rica

Located in Costa Rica's breathtakingly Central Valley, the town of Paraiso sits southeast of Cartago City approximately 8 km away. Cartago, which is a 45 minute drive southeast of the capital San Jose on the Inter-American Highway, was the former capital of Costa Rica. A quaint charming town that is often found bustling with tourists, Paraiso owes much of its fame to its exceptionally beautiful surroundings

To get to Paraiso, buses leave regularly from the Coca Cola Bus Station in downtown San Jose City and offer some truly amazing scenery along the way. Among the first places to be colonized by the Spanish when they landed in Costa Rica, Paraiso means ‘paradise’ in English.

Another key attraction of Paraiso, is Lankester Botanical Gardens. Named after the British botanist, Charles Lankester who was sent to Costa Rica in the 1900’s to plant coffee. This 11-hectare garden is today home to 600 of the total 1,400 native orchid species found in Costa Rica. Managed by the University of Costa Rica, this botanical garden has a varied landscape creating a number of microhabitats, with each habitat housing various species of orchids, bromeliads and other plants. The gardens have orchids in bloom all year, with peak blooms from February to May.  A visit here between theses months is especially beautiful, as this period is flowering season and the garden is visited by hundreds of beautiful Costa Rica birds.

Famous for its farmers market in the center of town, Paraiso is a friendly and welcoming place with plenty of local sodas (Costa Rica small restaurants) that offer some exquisite views. Just on the outskirts of town, a modern shopping mall (Paraiso Shopping Center) has recently been built, with its own movie theater, pharmacy, grocery stores and even a few fast food joints like Burger King.

If your looking for some physical activity, visit the Finca la Flor de Paraiso operated by ASODECAH or the Association for the Development of Environmental and Human Consciousness. A non-profit organic farm, Finca la Flor is located 7 km northeast of Paraiso and offers instructions on sustainable agriculture and reforestation practices. It is also important to mention earlier this year Paraiso became the first Costa Rican city to declared itself transgenic or GMO (genetically modified organisms) free.