Santo Domingo de Heredia, Heredia

The Heredia province is a landlocked region between the Limón and Alajuela provinces, with Nicaragua to the north and the San José province to the south. The capital city is also called Heredia, which is one of the more metropolitan areas. The region is known for agriculture, coffee and bananas are just a few of the crops harvested in the area. The most popular tourist attraction is the Braulio Carrillo National Park, which contains many notable geological features.

The town of Santo Domingo de Heredia is a charming colonial town that is surrounded by beautiful landscapes. It’s must a few minutes south of Heredia, and not far from San José, making it easily accessible. The city offers privacy and seclusion, while providing a good basecamp for visiting the natural resources of Costa Rica and exploring San José and the exciting city life. You’re also close enough to the ocean to take a day trip to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean, or the setting sun by the Pacific.

A Picturesque Town

The buildings and homes in Santa Domingo de Heredia feature classic Spanish architecture and historic designs. The local residents have restored the town to its original glory. The churches are breathtaking examples of 19th-century construction. It’s a delight to walk the streets exploring the old homes to imagine what life might have been like in the early days of Costa Rica. Spend a leisurely day admiring the beautiful architecture style.

Santo Domingo de Heredia

Where to Stay

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That doesn’t mean you won’t find hotels and other amenities in the city. The country is known for its eco-tourism, and this town is no exception. Hotels and inns are green and friendly. Fruit and coffee is a typical breakfast, but there are many places where you can get local cuisine that will be more filling. The air is fresh and clean. The atmosphere is relaxing and quiet. You’ll be surrounded by coffee plantations, rainforests and volcanoes.

INBio Park

The National Biodiversity Institute of Costa Rica has a mission “to promote a greater awareness of the value of biodiversity as a means to ensure its conservation and improve the quality of life of human beings.” This park is an amazing educational center, especially for families with children. INBio Park is home to about 600 different species of plants, 50 species of birds and the habitat for iguanas, turtles, sloths and snakes. The climate is perfect for a butterfly farm. The park has a museum that houses a collection of more than three million insects. The Sustainable Trail (as well as many other trails in the park) is handicap accessible. It’s a charming place to visit to see the wonderful biodiversity that is Costa Rica in one place. It’s a must-see attraction when you’re in the area.

Other Attractions

Tourists in Santa Domingo de Heredia have access to rafting tours out of Heredia. Costa Rican rivers have wonderful whitewater rafting features, that are environmentally-conscious. Ecotourism in Costa Rica extends to every aspect of the experience, from luxurious accommodations that are concerned about their impact on the environment to tourist activities that try hard to minimize the impact on the natural resources in the country.

Map of the Area

Click to enlarge map - Map of the Area

Heredia also has many language centers where learning Spanish is fun and interesting. Instead of being in a boring classroom for weeks on end, students are immersed in the culture and taught language skills to function in society. Sightseeing is just part of the way you’ll learn Spanish from local professors curated just for the special program.

Whether you visit Costa Rica for the bird watching, wildlife viewing, hiking or white-water kayaking, you’ll be close to the adventure you want in Santa Domingo de Heredia. You can’t help but be entranced in this charming, colonial town that is still sophisticated and easy-going.