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Point of entry to Costa Rica.
The Central Valley is the point of entry to Costa Rica
and, as such, offers a wide range of activities and attractions
worth exploring. One of its primary characteristics is its
comfortable climate – even San José, at 1,149
meters above sea level, enjoys an average temperature of
24°C. Here you will find fine dining and lodging options
offering everything from five-star hotels to bed-and-breakfasts,
as well as popular local sodas, small restaurants offering
traditional Costa Rican fare. Five of the best museums in
the country are found in the capital city of San José,
including the Gold Museum, Jade Museum, National Museum,
Contemporary Art Museum and Children’s Museum –
all this in addition to Costa Rica’s architectural
jewel: the National Theater, built with the support of all
Costa Ricans in 1897, during a time of coffee boom and European
cultural influence.

Dance halls pulsating with tropical rhythms alongside fashionable
bars form part of the nightlife in Costa Rica. San José
is also the heart of the country’s business and political
activities. Cultural activities in areas of theater, dance
and education are also important aspects of life in this
province, as are high standards of education and health
services.
The region’s climate and altitude create ideal conditions
for the production of Costa Rica’s world-famous coffee.
Other agricultural products from the area include tubers,
vegetables, ferns, fruits and a wide variety of ornamental
plants offered at nurseries. In some of the mountain areas,
you can enjoy trout fishing, with your catch served afterward
as part of a succulent meal.
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The former capital of Cartago is home to
another architectural jewel: the Basilica of Our Lady of the
Angels, the country’s greatest religious symbol. More
than just a church, it is a sanctuary for those devoted to
the country’s patron saint, the Virgin of the Angels.
Every August 1, the country’s faithful take part in
a pilgrimage to commemorate on August 2 the appearance of
the Virgin Mary to a poor indigenous girl from the area, and
they honor the promises offered in her honor. Without a doubt,
the Central Valley is much more than just the point of entry
to the country.
In the outskirts of San José, beautiful
traditional towns with rural charm offer a small glimpse of
the Costa Rica of years past, with stucco homes with large
backyards, farm animals, sugar mills and dairies, as well
as oxcarts, one of the symbols of the Costa Rican farmer.
Other traditional activities the visitor can enjoy are the
patron saints festivals celebrated year-round and the popular
festivals in San José during the month of December.
The beauty of the Central Valley stems from
the Central Volcanic Mountain Range, which, in addition to
scenic mountains, includes impressive active volcanoes such
as Poás and Irazú, along with beautiful wildlife
species such as the resplendent quetzal.
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