Heredia Province, Costa Rica: Things to Do & Where To Go

The smallest of Costa Rica’s seven provinces, yet packed with wild landscapes, hidden landmarks, and untold stories, Heredia Province is an adventure waiting to be discovered. Tucked into the country’s northern reaches and often overlooked by travelers, this compact region rewards the curious with exploration, surprise, and unforgettable experiences.

Getting to Know Heredia Province

What is Heredia, Costa Rica Known For?

Known as La Ciudad de Flores or the city of flowers, Heredia City is a charming city that retains a small-town feel despite being a major city in Costa Rica. Founded in 1706, Heredia City is one of the oldest Costa Rican cities and also houses the largest Costa Rican university, UNA, giving it a cutting-edge feel for education and cultural import.

Heredia Province is known for its agricultural roots in the northern reaches of the province, where flowers are grown and cultivated along with other crops like coffee, cacao, pineapples, strawberries, and sugarcane, just to name a few. National parks, untamed primary rainforest, dormant volcanoes, and raging rivers are just a few reasons to stay awhile in the small but mighty province.

5 Quick Facts About Heredia

• It’s the smallest of Costa Rica’s seven provinces in both size and population.
• The capital city of the province, by the same name, Heredia, is home to the largest university in the country. Universidad Nacional gives the city a very bohemian, youthful vibe.
• Heredia Province is home to the Braulio Corrillo National Park and the Barva Volcano.
• Heredia Province was home to the coffee-grower aristocracy during the 19th century, and many family-run fincas still populate the area.

Our Top 3 Things to Do in Heredia

1. Explore Heredia City

Dive into the culture of the Heredianos and spend a few days exploring Heredia City, as well as the smaller towns nearby. Wander local markets, eat in small sodas, sip on strong, regional coffee, catch a futbol match, and enjoy the cooler temperatures of the foothills of Barva Volcano.

2. Adventure into Sarapiqui

In the northern zone of Heredia Province, Sarapiqui boasts some of the wildest and most untouched adventure tourism the country has to offer. This region doesn’t see as much tourism as other parts of Costa Rica, and you’ll feel like you have the jungle to yourself, as you raft down rapids, ride horseback through rolling green hills, and zipline through the canopy.

3. Hike, Hike, and Hike

The best way to know a place is to walk it, and that goes for the jungle as well. With Braulio Carrillo National Park, Barva Volcano, La Paz Gardens, Cerro Dantas Wildlife Refuge, and more, there’s no end to the hiking you can do in Heredia Province. If you are looking to get moving, Heredia Province is a must on your Costa Rican itinerary.

Heredia Costa Rica Map

Where is Heredia, Costa Rica?

The bottom corner of Heredia Province forms the heart of the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM), joining in the Central Valley with Alajuela and San Jose. From that central starting point, the Heredia Province extends all the way north to the border of Nicaragua. To the west, Heredia Province shares the border with Alajuela Province, and to the east, its neighbor is Limon. The southern border of the province connects to the San Jose Province.

Towns to Visit in Heredia Province

San Rafael

Just north of the city of Heredia, you’ll find the quaint town of San Rafael. Here, the rolling green hills and pura vida pace of life replace the hustle and bustle of the GAM cities. Sip coffee in the cute cafes in town, visit the church that sits atop the tallest hill, and take in the view of Las Tres Marias, the peaks that include Barva Volcano. San Rafael de Heredia is a great place to stay if you’re looking to be close to the action but far enough away to enjoy some true peace and quiet.

Barva

Moving further away from the city of Heredia, you’ll come across the town of Barva. Said to be named after the last local chief, Barvac, before the Spanish colonized the area, this town also shares its name with the dormant Barva Volcano. The town doesn’t see many visitors, so this is a great place to practice your Spanish and see what local life in Costa Rica really feels like.

While you’re here, don’t miss the Museo de Pop Culture. This free museum is open seven days a week, has an on-site restaurant featuring “gourmet” Costa Rican cuisine, and is run by the Universidad Nacional.

San Isidro

Close to the edge of Braulio Carrillo National Park, sits San Isidro, the rainbow capital of Costa Rica. The lush hills and the near-daily afternoon showers create the perfect recipe for a daily rainbow dose. The land here is rich and fertile, and almost anything grows, including cacao.

Don’t miss the Sibu Chocolate Tour while you’re here. Learn about the rich history of cacao and chocolate, from Pre-Colombian times to present-day culture.

Santa Barbara

Santa Bárbara offers experiences you won’t easily find elsewhere in Costa Rica, especially its strong coffee-growing heritage paired with rural traditions that are still very much alive. Walk or bike quiet back roads that pass directly through family-run coffee fincas, see beans being dried in small town patios during harvest season, and visit the historic Santa Bárbara church and central park. Daily life still revolves around community gatherings in this small town.

Things to Do in the Heredia Province

Nature-Based Activities

Heredia might be the smallest province, but it still packs a punch when it comes to nature-based activities. Within the Heredia Province, visitors can discover the beauty of:

• La Paz Waterfall Gardens: Just about an hour’s drive from the city of San Jose is the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. This private nature reserve is home to five waterfalls, with over 70 acres of protected land. In addition to the hiking trails around the property and out to the waterfalls, La Paz also features an animal rescue center where visitors can see and learn about animals that have been rescued from illegal pet situations or injured and can no longer survive in the wild.
• Barva Volcano: Barva Volcano might be inactive, with the last eruption thought to have taken place in the 1700s, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. Located within the Braulio Carrillo National Park, Barva Volcano is a great day trip from San Jose. A little over an hour north of San Jose, up through the Heredia Province and just outside the small town of Sacromento, visitors will find the entrance to the Barva Sector of Braulio Carrillo National Park. Since this is a national park, tickets should be purchased in advance through SINAC, and a 4×4 vehicle is required. There are several hikes you can take from the entrance, so leave early and make a day of it.
• Cerro Dantas Wildlife Refuge: Just next to but outside of the Braulio Carrillo National Park is another private nature reserve, the Cerro Dantas Wildlife Refuge. The entrance fee here is around $6 and is paid in cash to the owners of the private reserve. Covering 57 hectares of primary and secondary rainforest, the reserve features waterfalls, rivers, creeks, and all the animals that call this place home. The temperatures can be quite cool here, and conditions stay rather wet, so bring a rain jacket and some layers to adjust for the climate.

Adventures & Excursions

For the adrenaline junkies on vacation, not to worry. Heredia Province is home to Sarapiqui, which features some of the best adventure activities that Costa Rica has to offer. Sarapiqui is only a two-hour drive from San Jose, so it’s possible to make a day trip out of it, but you might want to spend a night or two and really have some fun. Check out some of the following for ideas of how to get the blood pumping:

• Ziplining: Explore the jungle like never before on a zipline course at Hacienda Pozo Azul. This private reserve is a functioning 2,000-acre working ranch and farm that takes ecotourism to the next level. You can even spend the night here in one of the tents and do a full day of activities, or just plan a day trip as you like. If you’re interested to learn more about what Hacienda Pozo Azul and other eco-tour operators offer, reach out to us. We’re happy to help you plan your adventures in Heredia! In addition to Hacienda Pozo Azul, you can find several other zipline tours in Heredia, like Canopy Adventure Volcan Barva or Sarapiqui Tubing.
• White-Water Rafting: Thrill seekers are in luck with white-water rafting options on both the Sarapiqui and Reventazon Rivers in Heredia Province. The rivers offer different classes of rapids, and there are multiple tour providers for each river, so depending on the experience level and the group you’re traveling with, ask around to see which is the best option for you.
• Horseback Riding: Stay on the wild side and explore Heredia on horseback. There are several tour operators in the Sarapiqui region, and some offer packages, combining horseback rides with ziplining or other activities.

Culture & Cuisine

Every province in Costa Rica has its own vibe, and Heredia Province is no different. Its culture comes from everything that shapes daily life—the food, the landscape, the weather, the history, the wildlife, and especially the people. From farming and sports to education and local traditions, Heredia Province has a little something for everyone.

• Intercultura: Intercultura offers language classes for those who want to learn, practice, or deepen their Spanish skills. Weekly classes, one-on-one tutoring, as well as activities from cooking to dance classes are available at Intercultura in Heredia City. Spend a little time here before you venture deeper into Heredia Province, and you’ll have a whole new appreciation for your experiences.
• Feria de la Mascarada: Taking place in the town of Barva, the Feria de la Mascarada is an annual event in which participants wear massive, colorful masks and parade and dance around the town square. Masks can weigh up to 20 kg and be up to 6 feet tall! The tradition takes place in the last week of March and has its roots in the colonial era. Devils, demons, politicians, and celebrities are all fair game when it comes to mask inspiration.
• Cafe Britt Coffee Tour: Coffee lovers do not want to miss this! Learn about coffee, how it’s grown, harvested, roasted, and more on this iconic coffee tour. Cafe Britt is one of the staple coffee companies in Costa Rican and more than a million visitors have enjoyed a cup on this educational and delicious tour.
• Attend a Soccer Game at Estadio Eladio Cordero: In order to truly understand Heredia culture, you must check out a match of the local team, Club Sport Herediano, one of the major league teams in Costa Rica. If you are lucky enough to catch a match, you will remember the experience for the rest of your life.

Transportation & Access

The city of Heredia is just 11 kilometers from San Jose, though rush hour traffic can make it seem further. Accessing the towns just outside of the city of Heredia is easy via bus or car, with ride-share options available as well.

The TUASA bus line services the GAM, and from the Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO), you can catch the bus in front of the airport and get to Heredia in about 30 minutes. TUASA buses also run between Heredia and San Jose. These buses run frequently, all over the GAM, and are a cheap way to move around, at just under $2 per ride.

To explore beyond the towns in the lower part of the province, it’s best to have a 4×4 car to reach the more remote parts of Heredia Province, or you can hire a driver for the day if you don’t want to worry about road conditions. Much of the northern reaches of Heredia Province are windy mountain roads that can be affected by the rainy season and mudslides, so always check with locals, or on Waze or Google Maps, before you set out for a day trip adventure.

Best Time to Visit

Heredia Province features cooler climates than other parts of Costa Rica, making any time of year an ideal time to visit.

Bear in mind there is still a green, or rainy, season, which runs from May to mid-November, with September and October as the wettest months. Rain means fuller waterfalls, so it’s not necessarily a bad time to visit. Just be sure to carry a rain jacket or umbrella with you.

Some of the sites can get very crowded during peak travel times, such as Christmas or Easter Week, known as Semana Santa in Costa Rica, so be sure to plan accordingly if your visit falls during this time of year.

Planning Your Trip to Heredia

Heredia can be a day-trip from San Jose or a vacation unto itself. The city of Heredia is a wonderful alternative to the more crowded and chaotic San Jose. Heredia Province has many beautiful sites to explore and cute towns to spend time in.

Whether you’re interested in a short trip or a longer visit, consider spending time in Heredia Province during your Costa Rican vacation.