The Central Valley, also called the Meseta Central is home to more than half of the Costa Rican population and is the heart of the country’s economic life. San Jose is approximately in the center of the valley. The city of Alajuela acts as its western border, Heredia its northeastern limit and Cartago borders on the southeastern tip. The Central Valley, actually a plateau fluctuating from 1000 meters all the way to an imposing 3,819 meters (Cerro Chirripo’s altitude, the country’s highest peak) is an immensely fertile area, blessed with volcanic grounds, watered by abundant rainfall. Its higher altitude yields year round, spring like weather. Sloping valleys, frosted with verdant pastures and deep green Arabica coffee plantations contrasts with the inner valley’s predominantly crowded and unorganized cities.

Major points of interest are the Poás, Irazú  and Barva Volcanoes, the fertile Orosi Valley with its white water Reventazón River, the Braulio Carrillo National Park,  the Manuel Antonio National Park, the Guayabo National Monument, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, the Chirripó National Park and the following museums in San Jose: the Jade Museum, the Gold Museum, the National Museum and the National Theater.