Turrialba

 

Region

Turrialba is the name of the fifth region of the province of Cartago, even though it represents 52% of the latter.

Turrialba is set between the conservation zone of the Volcánica Central cordillera and the park La Amistad.

Its population reaches about 70 000 inhabitants and the town of Turrialba, capital of the region, has about 35 000 inhabitants.

The climatic features and the type of ground in Turrialba, where there are valleys as well as fertile broken areas, allowed the development of cultures such as coffee, sugar cane, pejibaye, macadamia, fruit trees and farming.

 

Volcano

“Torre Alba” is the name given by the Spanish to the Volcán Turrialba (3339m) because of the extremely high columns of water vapor erupting from the crater. It is a protected area, declared a national park in 1955.

From a geomorphologic point of view, the volcanoes Turrialba and Irazú form one single system. Indeed, from the mountain’s peak, you can easily reach the Irazú’s side. In one of the cols between the sides, there is a cavity where you can hear sounds of the volcanic activity.

The inhabitants say that “it’s a proof of the fact that the two volcanoes join together from underneath”.

The volcano Turrialba is one of the few volcanoes in the world of which you can reach the crater to see the sulfur smokes very closely during a major part of the year.

• More information on Rsn Geologia / Fotos Turrialba
• More information on Ovsicorina / Volcan Turrialba

 

 

 

CATIE

Tropical Agronomic Canter of Investigation and Education since 1942, the CATIE is at the same time a university and a scientific center for agriculture, management and conservation of natural resources. It has the biggest public library in Central America.

The CATIE has a botanic garden of 45 ha which allows the discovery of more than 95 species of native trees and more than 160 trees from different parts of the world.

• More information on CATIE

 

National monument of Guayabo

This monument is one of the Costa Rican archeological sites which represent the highest standard of social and cultural way of life of the prehispanic societies in the country. The site (233 ha) was declared archeological patrimony in 1973.

The site possesses circular structures made of stone that used to be houses and surrounding walls as well as streets, draining systems, aqueducts or water holder. There are a lot of carved stones too (petrography).

• More photos on Infoweb / Guayabo

 

Reventazón and Pacuare Rivers

The Reventazón is one of the most important rivers in Costa Rica, because of its length (152 km) and its hydroelectric potential. According to the legend, it is on its banks that the white man settled down for the first time; the indigenous population lived, grew and the suffered on the Reventazón sides.

The Pacuare’s source is 2000 meters high and then the river runs down and joins the Reventazón near the Cultivez site.
This river is still very wild and known for being one of the ten best rafting sites worldwide. It is possible to choose different parts of the river depending on the level (II to IV rapid level).

There are other very beautiful rivers in the region of Turrialba such as the Pejibaye River. It is worth discovering this significant Reventazón ’s tributary where you can swim or visit the big cracks between the mountains that are used as drainpipes in the Atlantic region. The canyon possesses forests of giant trees, small rivers, coffee and sugar cane exploitations and small villages.