Perched in the lush highlands of Cartago Province, Turrialba is a charming town renowned for its volcanic landscapes, fertile farmland, and deep roots in Costa Rica’s rural traditions. Surrounded by rivers, canyons, and dense rainforest, it’s a haven for adventure. Travelers in Turrialba, Costa Rica, can enjoy whitewater rafting, hiking, agrotourism, and more.
This quaint town offers a quieter, more authentic alternative to Costa Rica’s more developed tourist hubs. The nearby Turrialba Volcano is one of the country’s most active and towers over the town. Local attractions, such as the Guayabo National Monument, cheese tours, and coffee farms, offer travelers the opportunity to explore Costa Rica’s archaeological and cultural heritage between adventures.
Whether you’re chasing waterfalls or sipping fresh mountain-grown coffee, Turrialba is your gateway to Costa Rican adventure and tradition.
What To Know Before You Go
Turrialba can refer to the city, the cheese, the canton, and the volcano… so when you say, “Turrialba”, it’s best to know which Turrialba you’re talking about! The city of Turrialba is the main city of the Canton Turrialba, located within the Cartago Province. The city of Turrialba has a population of just under 30,000, making it a main hub for this region of the country.
Known for its famous Turrialba cheese, a mild, semi-hard white cheese made from cow’s milk, large, hand-pressed corn tortillas (sometimes with cheese cooked in!), and strong coffee with volcanic views, this stunning landscape rewards travelers who take the time to discover the steep and windy roads of Turrialba.
Top 7 Things to Do in Turrialba, Costa Rica
1. Whitewater Rafting on the Pacuare River
Consistently ranked among the best rivers in the world for whitewater rafting, the Pacuare River offers world-class rapids on a river that winds through remote rainforest. It’s an unforgettable adventure for thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike. A few different tour operators run rafting trips down the river, and you can choose between a one-day trip or an overnight trip. Nothing like spending the night at a jungle lodge along the river after a day of rafting!
The Pacuare River offers class three and four rapids, so make sure you check with the tour operator to prepare for the conditions of the river. Specifically, the rainy season brings high volumes of water and fast-moving rapids that might not be suitable for all travelers.
2. Visit Guayabo National Monument
Guayabo is one of Costa Rica’s most significant archaeological sites. Home to pre-Columbian ruins, aqueducts, petroglyphs, and stone roads hidden in the jungle, Guayabo National Monument is a must-see for history lovers. The site was occupied by indigenous people of the area over a period of 2,400 years, spanning from 1000 BC to 1400 AD. The indigenous people abandoned the site a century before the Spanish arrived.
Only a small portion of the archeological site has been unearthed, and visitors can spend the day walking the site, hire a guide for a guided tour, or even camp overnight. Tickets for entrance to pay to camp can be purchased through the SINAC website.
3. Hike Turrialba Volcano National Park
While there are many volcanoes to explore in Costa Rica, Turriabla Volcano might be the top of the list. This active volcano offers visitors dramatic views and high-elevation hikes through surreal, windswept landscapes. When the park is open, you can walk near the crater and explore trails lined with páramo vegetation and cloud forest.
Due to the active nature of Turrialba Volcano, it’s best to check beforehand to see if the park is open or closed due to volcanic activity. Tickets for the national park can be purchased in advance via the SINAC website. You can also book a guided hike through local tour providers who will take care of your park entrance for you, included in the price of the hike.
4. Explore the CATIE Botanical Garden
CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) features beautifully maintained botanical gardens that showcase tropical crops and exotic plant species from around the world. Guided tours highlight sustainable farming, biodiversity, and climate research.
The gardens are home to hundreds of plant species, native to Costa Rica and tropical environments, with over 4,000 plants covering 45 hectares. Visitors to the botanical gardens can choose from several tour options to explore the grounds and get totally lost in the beauty of the gardens.
5. Visit a Local Cheese or Coffee Farm
Mountain Biking at Casona de Pavas in TurrialbaThe Turrialba region is known for its namesake cheese and high-elevation coffee. Many small farms offer hands-on tours, allowing you to experience ecotourism by sharing traditional production methods, sampling fresh products, and learning about rural life in Costa Rica. Turrialbeños are very proud of their coffee and cheese, and visiting local farms is a delicious way to get to know the local feel of this farming community.
6. Canyoning and Waterfall Rappelling
The lush canyons surrounding Turrialba are perfect for waterfall adventures. Guided tours take you rappelling down jungle waterfalls, leaping into natural pools, and hiking through the jungle. This unique adventure is one of Costa Rica’s most popular activities for good reason.
Canyoning and rappelling tours range from beginner-level to more advanced routes, so be sure to check with local tour providers or let Costa Rica Escapes help guide your decision on where to go and what to book.
7. Explore the Town of Turrialba
Wander the relaxed streets of Turrialba town, where you’ll find local markets, bakeries, and friendly cafes. It’s the perfect place to slow down, sip fresh coffee, and get a feel for authentic small-town life in Costa Rica.
Areas in Turrialba, Costa Rica
Turrialba Town Center
This small-town hub offers visitors a laid-back atmosphere, complete with a central plaza, local markets, bakeries, and cozy cafés. It’s the perfect place to experience everyday Costa Rican life. Grab freshly baked bread or ice cream, find a bench in the shaded park, chat with locals, or visit the weekend feria (artisan fair) to discover handcrafted goods and tasty street food. Most services, including bike rentals, tour operators, and transportation connections, are based in the center of town, making it a convenient home base for visitors.
Santa Cruz
Just to the north of Turrialba is the small community of Santa Cruz. This is a great place ot stay outside of the hustle and bustle of the city center, and it’s closer to the entrance to the Parque Nacional Volcan Turrialba. From the town center, it’s about a 30-minute drive to Santa Cruz, and from Santa Cruz to the entrance of the national park is another hour north, making it an ideal place to stay if you’re planning on an early morning volcano hike.
Colonias de Guayabo
Another smaller town outside of the main city is Colonias de Guayabo. This small community is a great place to stay to be close for a visit to the Guayabo Monument. This area also features lots of fun waterfalls you can visit, explore, and hike.
Check out Catarata Las Trillizas, Santuario Waterfall, and Catarata La Muralla while you’re here. The town of Colonias de Guayabo is only 20 minutes from the National Monument, which is arguably considered one of the most important historical sites in Costa Rica.
Verbena & San Antonia
North of the Turrialba, you’ll find the smaller towns of Verbena and San Antonio. Both of these communities are much smaller and less busy than Turrialba, and they feature some lovely lodges and eco-hotels. Check out Vista Turrialba Lodge, Hotel Ladera, and Hotel Guayabo Lodge for epic views of the surrounding rolling hills and mountains, and a slower pace of life. These areas provide close and easy access to all of the main services of Turrialba with a laid-back, sleepy country feel.
Weather in Turrialba, Costa Rica
Turrialba’s weather is influenced by its high elevation. While still tropical, the highland climate boasts warm, comfortable days and cooler nights. Daytime highs typically reach the upper 70s to mid-80s °F (25–30 °C) and evenings dip into the upper 60s to low 70s °F (19–21 °C).
The region experiences rainfall year-round, but the dry season lasts from December to April, offering sunnier skies and improved trail conditions for volcano hikes and other adventures. The rainy season, from May to November, brings daily afternoon showers that keep the landscape green and vibrant, ideal for river rafting, wildlife viewing, and those who don’t mind a little mud. Mornings are usually clear, so plan active outings early and keep a rain jacket handy for the afternoon.
Food Scene in Turrialba, Costa Rica
While nodding to authentic Costa Rican cuisine, food in Turrialba reflects the region’s agricultural roots. The region is best known for its namesake Turrialba cheese—a semi-hard cheese made fresh on local dairy farms. You’ll find it in traditional dishes like casados, empanadas, and tortillas de queso, often served at roadside sodas or small, family-run restaurants specializing in hearty Costa Rican home cooking.
Turrialba also sits within Costa Rica’s central coffee belt. Locally roasted brews are served at small cafés and coffee farm tours, where visitors can experience the bean-to-cup journey firsthand.
Dining in Turrialba tends to be unfussy and deeply rooted in place—wood-fired grills, mountain trout, and just-picked produce are the norm. While most of the restaurants are traditional, as Turrialba continues to grow and attract more international visitors, the food scene continues to adapt as well.
Be sure to check out:
- Turrialtico – Latin, Spanish, $$-$$$
- Carnitas Chani – Costa Rican, BBQ $$
- Bria Cafe – Cafe, Contemporary, $$
- Wok & Roll – Chinese, Japanese $$-$$$
Turrialba Cheese
No visit to Turrialba is complete without trying its namesake cheese. Made on small dairy farms in the surrounding highlands, Turrialba cheese is soft, lightly salted, and traditionally smoked, with a distinct flavor. You’ll find it folded into hot tortillas, sliced on breakfast plates, or sold fresh at roadside stands.
Coffee & Chocolate Farm Tours
Thanks to its altitude and rich volcanic soil, Turrialba is one of the best regions in Costa Rica for immersive coffee and cacao experiences. Farm tours here go beyond just tastings; they offer a behind-the-scenes look at how beans are grown, harvested, and processed using both traditional and modern methods.
Planning a Trip to Turrialba, Costa Rica
A visit to Turrialba, Costa Rica, offers travelers a respite from the crowds and the opportunity to slow down and experience rural Costa Rican life. Despite Turrialba’s laid-back vibe, there are serious adventure opportunities for thrill seekers.
While we can always craft custom itineraries, our current offerings including stops in Turrialba include:
- Family: Remote Adventure
- Honeymoon: Secluded Caribbean, Couples Romantic Costa Rica Adventure
- Adventure: Avid Explorer, Tico Panama
Whether you’re searching for a true farm-to-table dining experience or you want to rappel down waterfalls and take on class IV rapids, Turrialba, Costa Rica, is a must-stop destination for Costa Rica travelers looking to forge their own path. Reach out below for more information.