Costa Rica - San José

Just 30 minutes from San José is a coffee plantation that’s as singular as the experience it offers. Hacienda La Chimba includes a museum dedicated to coffee culture and a recreation of a village from the 1920s, when coffee production really took off in the country. Visit the plantations while learning about the entire production process, then finish with a tasting of their Arabica coffee. As if that’s not enough, there are also zip lines that overlook the fields, hiking trails, a climbing wall, and much more.

A true national treasure just an hour and fifteen minutes’ drive from San José, this park spanning over 120,000 acres is one of the largest protected areas in Costa Rica. This oasis of biodiversity is home to more than 500 species of birds and over 150 mammals, and it encompasses four types of forests. Fans of hiking can enjoy a sizable network of trails for all levels and see how the plant life changes with the altitude. You can also take a guided aerial tram ride over the rainforest canopy. No matter your preference, with its tall mountains covered in dense greenery, its many canyons and rivers and its dormant volcano, this park is a sight to behold.

A labyrinth of flavours, colours and aromas of all kinds, the central market in San José is your destination for a glimpse into the daily life of the locals. Open since 1880, this building is where over 200 merchants offer fresh and dried food, artisanal products and ready-made meals. Find a seat at a soda—the name for the little restaurants—to taste chifrijo, made from pork rinds and beans, or gallo pinto, made from rice and beans. The market is open Monday to Saturday until 6:30 p.m.

This cool neighbourhood is a haven for foodies! It’s full of microbreweries, restaurants, bakeries, bars and fun patios. It’s the place to visit to discover the country’s contemporary culinary scene. With good reason, too—33rd street, the main commercial road in the area, is nicknamed Paseo Gastronomico La Luz (La Luz culinary strip), in honour of a little grocery store called La Luz that used to be there.