Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [103]
There’s no tourist office but most other services are readily available.
Hospital San Vicente de Paul (2261-0001; Av 8 btwn Calles 14 & 16)
Internet Café (Av Central btwn Calles 7 & 9; per hr ₡300; 24hr) For 24-hour access to the web, plus, there are no shortage of internet spots in the immediate area.
Scotiabank (2262-5303; Av 4 btwn Calles Central & 2; 8:30am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat) They change money and have a 24-hour ATM that dispenses US dollars.
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Sights
Heredia was founded in 1706, and in true Spanish-colonial style it has several interesting old landmarks arranged around the Parque Central. To the east is Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción, built in 1797 and still in use. Opposite the church steps you can take a break and watch old men playing checkers at the park tables while weddings and funerals come and go. Built in a neoclassical, Renaissance style, the church’s thick walls and squat construction has withstood the earthquakes that have damaged or destroyed most other historic buildings from this period.
To the north of the park is an 1867 guard tower called simply El Fortín, the last remaining turret of a Spanish fortress and the official symbol of Heredia – and a national historic site. Because of its fragile state, its passageways are closed to the public.
At the park’s northeast corner, in a low-lying Spanish structure that dates back to the 18th century is the Casa de la Cultura (2261-4485; cnr Calle Central & Av Central; admission free; hours vary), which at one point served as the residence of President Alfredo González Flores, who governed from 1913 to 1917. It is beautifully maintained and now houses permanent historical displays as well as rotating art exhibits.
The campus of Universidad Nacional, six blocks east of Parque Central, is a great place for doing a little guerrilla learning. Keep an eye out for posters advertising cultural offerings and special events happening around the city. Also, check out the marine biology department’s Museo Zoomarino (2277-3240; admission free; 8am-4pm Mon-Fri), where more than 2000 displayed specimens give an overview of Costa Rica’s marine diversity. The Museo Zoomarino is not on campus, but located about 1km west of the university.
About 4km to the southeast of town, in the neighborhood of Santo Domingo, is INBioparque (2507-8107; www.inbioparque.com/en/; adult/student/child US$23/17/13; 8:30am-2pm Tue-Fri, 9:30am-3:30pm Sat & Sun; ), a wildlife park and botanical garden run by the nonprofit INBio (National Biodiversity Institute), which catalogs Costa Rica’s biodiversity and promotes its sustainable use. Visitors can admire 531 species of plant, creatures such as sloths, boas and tarantulas, and visit a livestock and a butterfly farm. On weekends there is children’s theatre, plus the park is wheelchair-accessible. Closing times listed above are when the last guests are admitted; the park itself doesn’t shut until sunset. See the website for a list of specialty naturalist tours and directions.
Heredia is also an excellent base from which to explore the little-visited Volcán Barva, within the Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo. Click here for all the details.
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Courses
For a list of language schools in the area, see boxed text.
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Sleeping
Most travelers stay in nearby San José, though there are some decent sleeping options in the area.
Hotel Las Flores (2261-8147; www.hotel-lasflores.com; Av 12 btwn Calles 12 & 14; s/d/tr US$13/25/40; ) On the southern end of town – and a bit of a walk from the action – this spotless family-run place has 29 rooms painted bright sky blue and key-lime green. The furnishings are basic, but the mattresses are thick – and all rooms have private hot-water bathroom and TV. An attached soda serves breakfast (₡1000) and lunch (₡1600 to ₡1900) and is equipped with wi-fi.
Hotel Ceos (2262-2628; info@hotelamericacr.com; cnr Calle 4 & Av 1; s/d/tr/q US$24/33/43/53; ) A somewhat ramshackle spot with 10 large, dim bare-bones rooms