Turrialba
History, horticulture, and recreation combine in Turrialba, an attractive little down just 33 miles east of San Jose. Best known for its white water rafting courses, Turrialba is a place where travelers in San Jose rental cars can really connect with their surroundings. Located just minutes from the city, this town is also home to a handful of impressive attractions, including the Center for Agronomy Research and Development and the Guayabo National Monument. If you have time to travel outside of San Jose during your upcoming vacation, think Turrialba - it's worth the trip!
Go to the Guayabo National Monument
If you're interested in Pre-Columbian history, Avanti San Jose Rental Cars highly recommends stopping by the Guayabo National Monument. The monument is Costa Rica's only fully excavated site from the period, and it's open to the public daily. Located just 12 miles northeast of Turrialba, the excavated area preserves what is believed to be a town dating back to nearly 1000 B.C. Archaeologists believe that the city once housed as many as 10,000 people, but are currently unsure of what caused the communities decline. Travelers in San Jose rental cars will be able to see a number of ruins at the site, including paved roads, aqueducts, stone bridges, and temple foundations. The Monument is open daily from 8am to 4pm; admission is about $10 at the gate.
Brush up on some tropical botany
Green-thumbs from all over the world have traveled the Center for Agronomy Research and Development, located just 3 miles southeast of Turrialba. That's because the facility is one of the industries finest, specializing in the research of tropical agriculture. Travelers in San Jose rental cars are invited to explore the Center's more than 2,000 acres, discovered unique varieties of cacao and thousands of exotic coffee beans. Plants at the Center are grown both for sustenance and ornamental purposes, and include species from all over the world. Travelers in San Jose rental cars are invited to drop by Monday through Friday from 7am to 4pm. Guided tours of the facility are available with advance notice for $10-$25 depending on the size of the group.
Add a little luxury to your Turrialba vacation
Travelers in San Jose rental will enjoy some of the finer things in life when they visit Turrialba, thanks to the Casa Turire hotel and Turrialtico restaurant. Casa Turire is a repurposed country mansion, which features elegantly appointed guestrooms and sprawling suites. Rooms at the hotel range in price from $130 a night to $330 a night. The hotel is located on the banks of a lake formed by the Angostura dam project, providing travelers in San Jose rental cars with great kayaking and paddleboat excursions. The Turrialtico restaurant is equally as elegant, thanks to its location high atop a hill overlooking the Turrialba Valley. The view from this rustic open-air restaurant is one of the best in the country, thanks to lush greenery and the nearby volcano. Surprisingly enough, the meals are relatively inexpensive here, and there's even a small hotel onsite, providing weary travelers with an affordable place to rest. The restaurant is located about 6 ¼ miles outside of Turrialba, on the road to Siquirres.
Getting to Turrialba
Travelers in San Jose rental cars can get to Turrialba by taking the road from Cartago to Paraiso, then through Juan Vinas, and onto Turrialba. The route is pretty well marked, so you shouldn't have any problems. An alternative route is through the small town of Cot, on the road to the Irazu Volcano. From there, you'll pass through the town of Pacayas, and on to Turrialba. The town itself is a bit more difficult to navigate, so don't be afraid to ask a local for directions to specific locations.