Beautiful Turrialba
Neighborhoods
San Juan Norte is a small community of close-knit family groups who work primarily in the surrounding agriculture (sugar cane, beans, coffee, livestock). It has a central soccer field (plaza) with playground, a church, a primary school and a handful of pulperias (small stores) - the most well-stocked one being about 50 meters south of the church. You can walk along the country roads, but if you decide to explore the many sugar cane field paths, it's a good idea to go with someone or just be alert to your surroundings. It's a common practice to say hola to people you pass on the roads.
San Juan Norte
San Juan Norte is a small community of close-knit family groups who work primarily in the surrounding agriculture (sugar cane, beans, coffee, livestock). It has a central soccer field (plaza) with playground, a church, a primary school and a handful of pulperias (small stores) - the most well-stocked one being about 50 meters south of the church. You can walk along the country roads, but if you decide to explore the many sugar cane field paths, it's a good idea to go with someone or just be alert to your surroundings. It's a common practice to say hola to people you pass on the roads.
City/town information
Turrialba is a smallish, mountain town halfway between metropolitan San Jose and the lowlands of the Caribbean. Turrialbans are friendly and like an easy-going lifestyle with lots of work-life balance. The center of town can be chaotic, but you won't want to miss the traditional downtown farmer's market on Fridays and Saturdays, an ice cream in the shady central park (parque) or cafecito at the local Merayo bakery. You'll also want to travel 3km out of Turrialba to visit the grounds of CATIE - a world-renowned tropical sciences institute - with a beautiful water fowl park, botanical gardens, and pool/club house open to the public. However, Turrialba's main attractions are all about 30-45 minutes from the center: the Turrialban volcano, Guayabo National Park Indigenous ruins, the Pejibaye River, the Pacuare River, the Aquires waterfall... each one of these deserves a day (and, ideally, a guide).
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Turrialba
Turrialba is a smallish, mountain town halfway between metropolitan San Jose and the lowlands of the Caribbean. Turrialbans are friendly and like an easy-going lifestyle with lots of work-life balance. The center of town can be chaotic, but you won't want to miss the traditional downtown farmer's market on Fridays and Saturdays, an ice cream in the shady central park (parque) or cafecito at the local Merayo bakery. You'll also want to travel 3km out of Turrialba to visit the grounds of CATIE - a world-renowned tropical sciences institute - with a beautiful water fowl park, botanical gardens, and pool/club house open to the public. However, Turrialba's main attractions are all about 30-45 minutes from the center: the Turrialban volcano, Guayabo National Park Indigenous ruins, the Pejibaye River, the Pacuare River, the Aquires waterfall... each one of these deserves a day (and, ideally, a guide).
Sightseeing
Aquiares is a beautiful coffee farm with a waterfall and an historic church - located just 15 minutes outside of Turrialba. You can reach it via the Aquiares bus which leaves from the bus station in the center of town (not Transtusa) or you can take a taxi. I recommend taking a guided tour. They are affordable and provide a lot more information than you'd otherwise know.
Aquiares Coffee & Community Experience
Aquiares is a beautiful coffee farm with a waterfall and an historic church - located just 15 minutes outside of Turrialba. You can reach it via the Aquiares bus which leaves from the bus station in the center of town (not Transtusa) or you can take a taxi. I recommend taking a guided tour. They are affordable and provide a lot more information than you'd otherwise know.
Consejos para la ciudad
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Buses
Transtusa is the main bus station and the operator of the San Jose/Turrialba bus line. Their bus station in SJ is in the theatre district and buses leaves every hour. Directo buses don't stop (2-2.5 hours). Colectivo buses stop along the way (2.5-3 hours). Avoid rush hour travel times (7-8am, 4-6pm). Tickets cost about $3 and have assigned seats. https://www.transtusatiquete.com/
Local San Juan Norte buses go back and forth to San Juan Norte 4-5 times a day and depart from in front of the church. Please request the most recent bus schedule from me as they are always changing.
Qué debes empacar
Pack for a spring day
Turrialba is a valley that is made up of downtown Turrialba in the center and all of the surrounding towns around coming up the sides of the bowl. While the town of Turrialba is warm all of the time, the surroundings towns (Santa Cruz, Verbena, Juan Viñas, la Victoria, Aquiares, and San Juan Norte) can all be much cooler in the afternoons or if there is a rain storm. Therefore, packing for a northern-hemisphere spring day is a good idea: the day may start off warm and even hot, but afternoon rainstorms are likely and nights are usually cool/cold. Bring sweatpants and a comfortable sweater.
No te pierdas
Traditional Farmer's Market on Saturdays and Sundays
Turrialba has one of the most active farmer's markets in the country. Head to the old train tracks in downtown Turrialba between 7:30-4 on Fridays and Saturdays. Check out all of the beautiful, locally grown vegetables, the bouqets of flowers, the Turrialban cheese and home-roasted coffee, and don't miss buying an ice cold pipa (coconut water) to drink while you stroll. The organic farmers are at the far end by the ceviche guy.
No te pierdas
Turrialba Volcano
Though it's a journey to get there (1-1.5 hours in car), it's worth the trip. The Turrialba volcano came out of dormancy in 2010 and has been puffing ever since. You can only get within 3 kilometers of the crater, but if you book a tour with the Hacienda Central, they will take you through the farm lands to see some awesome spots of interest. Take food because the small soda (restaurant) isn't always working and definitely take pants and a sweater (it gets cold when the fog rolls in) and sunscreen (you will get burned on a sunny day!). http://www.haciendalacentral.com/