Area Highlight - Turrialba Costa Rica
Turrialba is one of our favorite areas of Costa Rica. We may be biased because it is our home base and where most of our team lives. But it’s also an incredible area with a rich history and cultural heritage. It is not as touristy as many other popular areas in Costa Rica, but it is definitely worth a visit if you have time in your itinerary.
Originally Turrialba was called Turiraba by the natives, its name means Turiri: fire and Aba: river. The name was transformed by the Spanish into Turrialba (turris: tower, and alba: white) and has become the most accepted version for the town’s name. There are several theories that speculate where the name comes from but most of it has to do with the volcano – which is one of our Favorite things about Turrialba!
Turrialba Costa Rica is a town located in the province of Cartago. It is situated about 50 kilometers east (2 hour drive) of San Jose, the capital city. Turrialba is located on the slopes of the Turrialba Volcano, which is an active stratovolcano that last erupted in 2016.
It is also home to several historic landmarks that visitors enjoy. An important landmark is the ruins of the Guayabo National Monument. Guayabo is believed to be the site of an ancient civilization dating back to 1000 BC and is designated by the World Heritage of Engineering, in recognition of ancient engineers for their skills in designing, building and maintaining a complex system of hydraulic works.
Turrialba Costa Rica Volcano. Second highest volcano in Costa Rica (3340 msnm)
Guayabo National Monument. Remains of Pre-Hispanic architectural structures.
Foods of Turrialba
Turrialba is renowned for its coffee and sugar cane production and is located in one of the country’s designated key coffee-growing regions. Due to this, chocolate and coffee play a vital role in the economy, cultural heritage, and community development of Turrialba Costa Rica.
These resources not only provide livelihoods for farmers but they also represent an agricultural tradition that has shaped the community for many years. You will still see evidence of this throughout the area as you travel with the abundant farmland in every direction.
This is a great place to take a tour and see the fascinating process of coffee, sugar cane and chocolate production from plant to table and get a taste of the famous local flavor.
When the coffee bean is red, the collectors collect the coffee.
Then it is left to dry for several days.
After it dries naturally, it is ready to roast and grind.
Turrialba is also well known for its cheese. Turrialba Costa Rica has one of the most popular and delicious cheeses of the entire country. We aren’t just biased – it really is amazing! We recommend you try some while you are in Costa Rica even if you don’t make to the Turrialba area.
Some of our favorites are Tortillas de Queso (Tortillas with cheese) with natilla (custard) and empanadas de queso (cheese empanadas). You can’t go wrong with this tasty cheese, but between you and me – I recommend that they will all taste better with a cup of coffee! (Turrialba coffee of course).
Things to Do In Turrialba
Tourism is an important industry in Turrialba, with many visitors coming to the town to explore the surrounding natural attractions.
A highlight is the natural beauty of the Turrialba area. Turrialba is surrounded by stunning natural beauty. The region boasts lush forests, scenic landscapes, and diverse flora and fauna, making it a paradise for nature lovers and birdwatchers. It also enjoys numerous hiking and nature trails, allowing visitors to explore the picturesque surroundings and enjoy outdoor activities.
Popular trails include the Turrialba Volcano National Park, which offers hiking trails, camping opportunities, and stunning views of the volcano and surrounding landscape. La Marta Wildlife Refuge is also popular as well as others. You can also hike or go canyoning down many of the areas waterfalls.
If you’d rather not hike, you can enjoy the beauty of the area from the back of a horse, on an ATV, or by riding a bike. It is a beautiful location that can be enjoyed in many ways by many people. We recommend after your adventure to stop in the canyon for a hearty lunch at Sitios Angostura – a local favorite.
If you want to walk through amazing flora and fauna or want to see one of the largest collection of diverse species, you’ll want to add a visit to the CATIE Botanical Garden. The garden features a wide variety of exotic plants and flowers arranged in sections and is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
Another popular attraction is the Pacuare River. Known as one of the best places in the world for whitewater rafting. Bringing many people to the area this river is fun for families and experts alike. Many people enjoy rafting, kayaking, SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding), and paddling duckies down this famous river.
You can paddle down the river in a day, or make it a two day memorable event by staying overnight at one of the several available lodging locations from rustic to luxury – there is something for everyone and will become the highlight of your trip. This is one of our most requested activities.
Before or after you paddle the Pacuare, you can take advantage of a river close to Turrialba – the Pejibaye. This river is a fun location to practice or learn some new skills, enjoy the water and play in the rapids. It is a fun morning for both beginners and advanced paddlers alike.
Turrialba provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture. You can visit traditional villages, interact with the friendly locals, and experience Costa Rican traditions, festivals, and cuisine.
People of Turrialba
One of the most important aspects of Turrialba is its people. The people in Turrialba are generally known for their warm and friendly nature. They tend to be welcoming and hospitable, embracing visitors and making them feel at home. The community spirit is strong and residents often have a sense of pride in their town and its cultural heritage.
Most of our team members that live in Costa Rica are from Turrialba. If you ever visit Turrialba it is very likely that you will meet our staff in your travels and during your tours. If you have already traveled with us, you can confirm that our staff will make you feel like you are with your family and will work very hard so you can enjoy not only Turrialba but all the parts of the country that you visit while in our country that we love so much.
So, since we have the inside track on Turrialba Costa Rica, we want to share with you some of our favorites and recommendations from our team:
Favorite places to eat:
- Dulce Tentación – Family Restaurant with Burgers, Wraps, Crepes and more (Across from the park on the South Western side.)
- Sitios Angostura – Local meat and rice dishes (Up the East canyon from the main area of town in Turrialba.)
- Honey Dipper – Bistro and Bakery (In the North part of the Turrialba area)
- Club Cafe – Pizza, Wraps, Pasta, Tacos (1 block West of the Park)
- Chill & Cheese – Hamburgers (1 block North West of the Park)
- El Puerto – Caribbean food (Just North East of the Skate Park and Gym)
- Moon B – Rice, pasta, steak, fish (South West of the Hospital)
What we recommend you order:
- Casado (meal using rice, black beans, plantains, salad, a tortilla, and an optional protein source such as chicken, beef, pork, fish, etc.)
- Chifrijo (layered Costa Rican dish of beans, pork, sauce and chips)
- Chicharrones (fried pork)
- Rice and Beans (Caribbean Food)
- Pacuare
- Pejibaye
- Canyoning
- Butterfly Farm
- Pacayitas
- Cooking Class
- Farmer’s Market (every Friday and Saturday)
- Salsa Dancing
Let us know if there is a local recommendation you would like and we would be happy to give it to you and add it to our list! We hope to see you in Turrialba next time you come to Costa Rica! Pura Vida!
