Find unique stays, off-grid homes, land, communities, and local experiences around Turrialba, San José & Central Valley.
At a glance
Turrialba is a canton on the eastern, Caribbean-facing slope of Cartago province, below Turrialba Volcano. Its main town sits in a green valley at about 1020 m, and the canton runs from cool hills down to the river valleys of the Reventazón and Pacuare, with coffee, sugar cane, cattle and forest across much of the land.
Living here. The town of Turrialba has the shops, banks, schools and the public William Allen Hospital that serve the eastern side of the canton, and is the centre for farming villages such as La Suiza, Santa Cruz and Pavones. The climate is milder than the coast and wetter than the Central Valley, with rain through much of the year, which suits coffee, fruit and pasture. Country roads into the hills are often gravel and steep, and the higher properties may need four-wheel drive.
Nature and history. Turrialba Volcano National Park protects the volcano, which has been active in recent years; check park access before visiting. Guayabo National Monument protects the largest pre-Columbian archaeological site in Costa Rica, with stone causeways, mounds and aqueducts in the forest. The Pacuare and Reventazón rivers are known for whitewater rafting, and the Pacuare runs through protected rainforest canyon.
Farming and research. CATIE, the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center, has its campus and botanical garden here, and the area's farms range from coffee and sugar cane to cattle, dairy and mixed fruit.
Nearby. Turrialba is part of the San José and Central Valley region; Cartago is to the west.
Before enquiring, confirm road access, parking, internet, water, power setup, distance to town or beach, current pricing, cancellation terms, and whether the stay suits your comfort level, group size, and travel plans.
Turrialba is a canton in the east of Cartago province, on the Caribbean-facing slope below Turrialba Volcano. Its main town sits in a valley east of the city of Cartago.
It is a farming area with a working town: shops, banks, schools and the public William Allen Hospital are in Turrialba, while villages such as La Suiza sit in the surrounding hills. Expect a mild, wet climate and steep country roads in the hills.
In town, no. Many rural roads into the hills are gravel and steep, and higher farms and estates may need four-wheel drive, especially in the rainy months.
Guayabo National Monument, Costa Rica's largest pre-Columbian archaeological site; Turrialba Volcano National Park, where access depends on volcanic activity; and the Pacuare and Reventazón rivers for whitewater rafting.
Yes. The valley and hills support coffee, sugar cane, cattle, dairy and fruit, and CATIE, a tropical agriculture research centre, is based here. Rainfall is high, so check drainage and water rights when buying.
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Photos: Cover · Turrialba Volcano above farmland · Luis Manuel Madrigal Mena / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
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