Heredia: The Underrated Highland Region Most Travelers Miss

By Silvanna Pacheco, June 2nd, 2026.

While a classic itinerary featuring Arenal Volcano, the Monteverde Cloud Forest, and the Pacific coast never fails to impress, there is so much more to experience in Costa Rica. But what if you crave something deeper, an experience that takes you beyond the well-known tourist trail to discover the country’s hidden soul? Plan with our local travel guides and start your immersion into Costa Rican culture.

Tucked into the emerald highlands of the Central Valley, just north of San José, Heredia province is frequently overlooked by travelers rushing toward the coasts. Yet, for those willing to slow down, Heredia offers a captivating mix of colonial history, dramatic cloud forests, and wild volcanic landscapes, making it the ultimate add-on experience for your next getaway.

The Colonial Charm of “The City of Flowers”
Heredia is affectionately nicknamed La Ciudad de las Flores (The City of Flowers), a title that reflects both the beautiful flora blooming across its mountain towns and the historic beauty of its capital city.

Unlike the hectic energy of neighboring San José, Heredia preserves a distinct, historic soul. A walk through its central plaza feels like stepping back into the 19th century. The heart of the city is anchored by the Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción, a striking white cathedral built in 1797.

Further east along the volcanic ridge sit San Rafael and San Isidro. These towns feel distinctly alpine, characterized by steep, winding roads, pine trees, and Swiss-style architecture dotting the green hillsides. You can spend a chilly afternoon wrapped in light sweaters, watching the sunset over the Central Valley while sharing a warm pot of coffee or hot cocoa.

Beyond the architecture, the region is the historic heartland of Costa Rican coffee. The surrounding volcanic hillsides are dotted with coffee farms where you can sample some of the richest brews in the world.

Heredia’s rich volcanic soil and temperate climate made it an ideal cradle for Costa Rica’s 19th-century economic miracle: coffee, the grano de oro (golden grain). Towns like Santa Bárbara and Santo Domingo are intrinsically tied to this legacy. Santo Domingo, in particular, offers beautifully preserved colonial estates side-by-side with modern coffee farms. Walking its residential streets reveals traditional bahareque architecture that once housed the original coffee barons who built the region’s prosperity.

About Braulio Carrillo National Park
A massive portion of the province is covered by Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of the largest and most rugged protected areas in the country.

Because the park spans an incredible range of altitudes, dropping from high volcanic peaks down to the Caribbean lowlands, it is home to an array of microclimates. Towering ferns, massive tree trunks wrapped in moss, and thousands of orchid species line the landscape. This dense, protected jungle is a sanctuary for over 500 species of birds and elusive mammals like white-faced monkeys, sloths, and tapirs.

For those who want to experience the cool, misty, and rugged upper elevations of the park, you can take a tour to the Sector Volcán Barva. Costa Rican volcanoes are a highlight in any itinerary and this area offers a completely different ecosystem from the lowland rainforests. The goal of this tour is to reach the dramatic, water-filled crater lagoon (Laguna Barva) sitting at over 2,900 meters (9,500 feet), as well as the nearby Laguna Copey. Because of the altitude, naturalists lead small groups early in the morning for birdwatching lovers to spot the Resplendent Quetzal and various high-altitude hummingbirds. Our team will create the perfect route for you to explore Heredia.

On the Caribbean side of the park, where the mountains drop into the lowlands, the focus shifts to experiencing the multi-layered jungle canopy. Many of these experiences take place in private reserves directly bordering the park limits, ensuring pristine primary forest access with world-class infrastructure.

The Rainforest Aerial Tram is one of the most famous and unique excursions in the region. Open-air, slow-moving gondolas glide silently through the canopy, ranging from the dark forest floor up to 52 meters (170 feet) into the treetops. Accompanied by a naturalist guide, this tour offers an exceptional, low-impact perspective for photographers, families, and birdwatchers who want to study canopy wildlife like sloths, toucans, and monkeys up close without a strenuous climb.

Birdwatching Wonderland
This 10-day Costa Rican journey blends beautiful landscapes with wildlife discovery. From the colorful gardens of Heredia and the iconic, volcanic energy of Arenal, you’ll head to the coastal rainforest reserve of Manuel Antonio before ascending into the crisp, high-altitude cloud forests of San Gerardo de Dota.

For an adrenaline-focused alternative, zipline tours will send you flying over the jungle canopy, rushing rivers, and dramatic forest drops. Many canopy tours are packaged as full-day rainforest adventures that combine the aerial tram or ziplines with guided walks along beautifully maintained, paved trails.

The Perfect Pair: From Heredia to the Caribbean Coast
One of Heredia’s greatest assets is its geography. If you are looking to design a unique Costa Rican route that avoids the crowded Pacific highway, Heredia serves as the perfect launching pad for exploring the Caribbean side of the country.

After spending a few days soaking in the cool mountain air and touring coffee plantations in Heredia, you can easily descend through the mountains via Route 32. This scenic drive cuts straight through the heart of Braulio Carrillo’s rainforests, dropping you right into the Caribbean lowlands. From there, it is a smooth journey to the laid-back Afro-Caribbean surf towns of Puerto Viejo, the turtle-nesting beaches of Tortuguero, or the vibrant coral reefs of Cahuita National Park.

By pairing the misty highlands of Heredia with the rhythmic, tropical warmth of the Caribbean coast, you get a diverse, crowd-free Costa Rican experience that most first-time travelers completely miss.Ready to go off the beaten path? Heredia is the perfect hidden gem to elevate your next Costa Rican adventure.