Recommendations
During your dental vacation, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Costa Rica’s rich culture, history, and natural beauty. Here are some of our top recommendations to make your stay even more memorable:
Museums
National Museum of Costa Rica
Calle 17, Avenida Central/Calle 2
Tel.: 2257-1433
www.museocostarica.go.cr
Jade Museum
11th floor, INS Building, Calle 11, Avenida 7
Tel.: 2287-6034
Pre-Columbian Gold & Numismatics Museum
Plaza de la Cultura, Calle 5, Avenida Central/Calle 2
www.museosdelbancocentral.org
Museum of Contemporary Art & Design
La Sabana Park / Former National Liquor Factory
Avenida 3, between streets 15 and 17
Tel.: (506) 2257-7202 / 2257-9370
Souvenirs
La Casona
Calle Central, Avenida Central
Tel.: 2222-7999
(Between the National Theater and Holiday Inn Hotel)
Art, jewelry, and souvenirs.
Handicrafts Market
Calle 5, Avenida 6, south of Plaza de las Garantías
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tel.: 7174-5391
Annemarie Boutique
Inside Hotel Don Carlos
Large souvenir shop with fair prices
Tel.: 2233-5343
Tours & Places of Interest
San José Central Market
Calle 6–8, Avenida Central
Everything from food, flowers, and spices to leather goods, kitchenware, souvenirs, and traditional sodas.
National Amusement Park & Pueblo Antiguo
Theme park and replica of an old Costa Rican town.
Located in La Uruca, near Hospital México.
Tel.: 2231-2001
Walking Tour of San José
Includes a visit to the Central Market.
San José Night Tour
Explore the city’s nightlife and landmarks.
El Fortín & Casa de la Cultura
Old Spanish fortress and cultural/art exhibitions.
Downtown Heredia
Tel.: 2260-2588
Poás Volcano & Visitor Center
Tel.: 2482-2165 / 2482-2424
www.costarica.com/attractions
Hotel Bougainvillea
Beautiful 5-acre gardens, excellent restaurant.
Located 2 km east of Santo Domingo
Tel.: 2244-1414
www.hb.co.cr
La Paz Waterfall Gardens & Butterfly Observatory
The world’s largest butterfly observatory, hummingbirds, and trails leading to 5 waterfalls.
Tel.: 2482-2720
www.waterfallgardens.com
Café Britt Coffee Tour
Theatrical show, factory tour, gift shop, and restaurant.
Barva de Heredia
Tel.: 2260-2748
www.coffeetour.com
Zarcero
Famous for its sculpted bushes in front of the church.
Highly recommended scenic trip.
The Ark (La Arca)
Medicinal herbs farm tour.
Santa Bárbara de Heredia
Tel.: 2269-9683 / 2239-2111
Doka Coffee Tour
On the way to Poás Volcano – Fraijanes
Tel.: 2449-5152
www.dokaestate.com
Else Kientzler Botanical Garden
Sarchí, Alajuela
Spirogyra Butterfly Garden
Collection of plants that attract butterflies (in all stages) and hummingbirds.
Tel.: 2222-2937
Lankester Botanical Garden
Paraíso, Cartago
Tel.: 2552-3247
Trout Farm, Natural Park & Restaurant
Located in Orosi Valley
Tel.: 2228-6630 / 8381-3895
Orchid Botanical Garden
La Garita, 800 m southeast of Fiesta del Maíz restaurant
Tel.: 2487-8095
www.orchidgardencr.com
Rancho San Miguel
Andalusian-style horse show and aviaries.
La Guácima
Tel.: 2439-0003 / 8336-6767
Herpetological Refuge
Rehabilitation center with guided tours. Includes birds, crocodiles, turtles, snakes, monkeys, and other animals.
Ruta 27, Calle Vieja – near Smile Design Costa Rica
Tel.: 2282-4614
Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center (formerly Zoo Ave)
La Garita, Alajuela
Tel.: +506 2433-8989
www.rescatewildlife.org
El Toledo Coffee Tour
Authentic experience at a permaculture coffee farm in Atenas
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