Heredia
Heredia is very close to San Jose and it's a great place to visit while remaining close to the international airport.
Why Visit Heredia?
If you're looking to remain close to the capital of San Jose and the international airport Juan Santamaria but still want some adventure, Heredia is the place for you. It is known for its vast amount of coffee plantations and coffee tours and volcanos, hiking, and general lush vegetation. Heredia is located on the mountain overlooking the rest of the metropolitan area and offers sprawling views of the city while keeping away from crowds. The mild temperatures in Heredia are cool and comfortable all year round.
- Coffee tours: Many coffee tours can be found, ranging in prices and sizes, but all are an educational and tasty experience.
- Volcanoes and national parks: Discover Volcan Barva and the national park of Braulio Carrillo, a unique natural reserve close to the city.
- Colonial architecture: Visit the many churches and old-timey homes located in Heredia with a historical value ranging back from the year 1800
Where to Stay
Heredia offers a wide range of rental homes and hotels. Some can be found closer to the city center, while others are more remote.
Things to Do
Coffee tours are recommended. The Volcano is inactive but it's still a great place to get close to nature. There's also horseback riding and zip-lining.
Heredia, The City of Flowers
Heredia is the “City of Flowers” or “Ciudad de Flores” in Spanish. This nickname comes from the lush flora found in this province. With its green sceneries and many protected natural reserves, Heredia is a place to go for those wishing to be close to the city yet far enough to enjoy the pristine forest.
While entering the pueblos or little towns of Heredia, you will see farms filled with cows and vegetables and coffee plantations. Since the beginning, Heredia has been known for its coffee and has made waves worldwide in the coffee industry. Coffee plantation tours can be located throughout the entire province and are a great way to learn about the world's most famous beverage. These tasty and informative tours are a fantastic way to spend the morning or evening and are great for the whole family.
Heredia is a mountainous province home to the Barva Volcano and the Braulio Carrillo National park. These are protected natural reserves with many hiking trails and nature tours. If you're looking for a hike within a pristine forest visiting these areas of Heredia is perfect for you. The temperatures in the highlands of Heredia are much cooler than in most of Costa Rica, and it is best to wear a light jacket.
In the city parts of Heredia, you will be able to locate many churches and old homes with historical value and colonial architecture. However, one church stands out amongst the rest for its age and architecture; La Inmaculada Concepcion is one of the oldest churches in the area. These church bells were brought in from Cuzco, Peru and the stained glass windows are the oldest in the country. The church stands in Heredia's central park, next to many shops and restaurants.
Best Time to Travel
The weather in Heredia is cool and mild all year round; however, keep in mind that there will be a surge in rain and clouds during the rainy season (May to November).
Although temperatures can rise a bit during the dry season (December to April), as this is considered Costa Rica's summer, the sun will always be out and not a cloud in sight.
The Weather in Heredia
The weather in Heredia is cool for the most part but does become more humid and wet during the rainy season (May to November). On the other hand, the dry season is slightly warmer, and the temperatures vary from 17 to 28 degrees Celsius or 62 to 82 Fahrenheit during the entire year. Heredia has more rainfall than other provinces, but it will not rain during the dry season.
Is Heredia Safe?
Heredia is one of the provinces considered part of the metropolitan area. Therefore, in the center of Heredia, just like in San Jose, you must watch out for your belongings, such as purses and backpacks. Wearing flashy jewelry is also not recommended; however, it is very safe in the out parts of Heredia, which is full of small towns where everyone knows each other. The outskirts of Heredia are not a place where you must worry about thieves or any other crime; however, keeping passports or large sums of cash is best kept in your hotel safe.
Top Restaurants in Heredia
Casona de Mi Tierra
This restaurant offers authentic Costa Rican cuisine in a laidback Tico-Style ambiance, perfect for any meal, whether breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Gallo pinto and casados galore.
Kawah Cafe
We recommend a contemporary restaurant for brunch, although they also serve lunch and dinner. Offering pizzas, Costa Rican cuisine, and fusion, this place has it all in a chic environment.
Esencia Mercadito
Esencia is a cafe that offers spectacular coffee and serves breakfast and lunch. The decoration is an homage to the colonial-style architecture of Heredia with a contemporary twist.
Leño y Carbon
This Tico-style steakhouse offers mouthwatering burgers and steaks perfect for lunch or dinner. They also provide some seafood dishes such as rice with shrimp.
How to Get to Heredia
Heredia is located a 30-minute drive from the Juan Santamaria international airport and only 20 minutes from the San Jose center. Therefore, a 4x4 is not needed to access any point of Heredia, and all, if not most, are paved.