You won’t find Turrialba listed in many ‘Top Places to Visit in Costa Rica‘ posts, but this underrated destination is packed full of adventure, nature, and culture (you just need to know where to find it!). We take a look at why you should include Turrialba on your Costa Rica itinerary…
1. You can enjoy your stay away from the crowds
Turrialba is a relatively ‘unknown’ destination, so you won’t be sharing your special moments with hundreds of other tourists. This also means that hotels tend to have more availability and better rates. Just note that you won’t find a large luxury resort around these parts, Turrialba is a charming rural town with lodges, glamping, smaller hotels, and B&Bs.
2. Turrialba is conveniently located between San José and the Caribbean Coast
Turrialba is approximately 2.5 hours east of the capital of San Jose, making it easily reachable from the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). Travelers can break up their journey to or from the Caribbean coast when visiting locations such as Tortuguero, Cahuita, and Puerto Viejo.
3. Turrialba has incredible adventure activities for all levels
The nearby Pacuare River is world-famous for having some of the best whitewater on the planet. Not an ‘adrenaline junkie’? Rafting or tubing on the Pejibaye River is a great alternative. You’ll also find canyoning, waterfall rappelling, horseback riding, paragliding, rainforest hiking, and mountain biking around Turrialba.
4. It is home to one of the most important archaeological sites in Costa Rica.
About a 30-minute drive from Turrialba is the Guayabo National Monument. Discovered in the late 1800s, this site is home to ruins dating back to between 1000 BC to 1400 AD. Just 10% of the site has been excavated, leaving many artifacts still yet to be discovered. Our top tip is to join a guided tour to get the most out of your visit.
5. Turrialba is an up-and-coming hotspot for agro-tourism
This region is famous in Costa Rica for its cheese. More recently, travelers have also enjoyed visiting cacao and coffee plantations overlooking the valley of Turrialba. Visitors can also experience a farm-to-table meal after exploring local organic farms. Because these sites are locally run, you can receive a more meaningful experience while picking up some tasty goodies to take home!
6. It has one of the most active volcanoes in the country
Towering over the town of Turrialba is the second-highest volcano in Costa Rica. Due to its activity, the route to the crater does close and reopen. However, there is another way to view this spectacular landmark. Visitors can hike around the skirts of the volcano, through an area called ‘Bosque Quemado’ (‘Burnt Forest’) to explore the atmospheric burnt landscape.
