The town of Turrialba is located in a valley in the mountains that surround the Turrialba Volcano and is more or less halfway on the road between Cartago and the Caribbean town of Siquirres, from where you can head to towards the city of Limon. Turrialba is a little harder to reach than the other more popular volcanoes of Costa Rica like the Irazu, Arenal and Poas. That is exactly the charm of the Turrialba Volcano National Park, it is quiet and offers breathtaking views. The volcano itself is still active, but can be explored without danger. It’s a long but beautiful hike to the summit but the views up there are very rewarding. There are many other reasons to make a day trip from San Jose in the Central Valley to the town of Turrialba. Close by there is the village of Santa Cruz, the entrance to one of the most impressive and larges historical site; the National Monument of Guayabo. The monument protects the ruins of a pre-Columbian town, complete with paved streets, aqueducts and grave mounts, that was inhabited for a period of 2,400 years. Close to Turrialba is also the starting point of one of Costa Rica’s most sensational white-water rafting tours on the Pacuare River. It’s a steep downhill ride and the last part even by foot to reach the most beautiful rafting river in Costa Rica, with rapids up to class IV and V and magnificent passages through lush valleys and high canyon walls. You can arrange a rafting trip for one and even two days with a night-over in the Pacuare lodge. Most trips include roundtrip transportations with a ride back from exit-point Siquirres to San Jose crossing the mountains of the Braulio Carillo National Park, with its wide panoramas over the dense virgin rain forest. The town of Turrialba itself is embedded in the mountains and is a centre for agricultural products. Famous for the white Turrialba Cheese that is produced and forms an important part of Costa Rica’s national menu. From Turrialba in the Province of Cartago it finds its way all over the country. It’s a soft pre-cheese and when you have the chance you should definitely try it. You probably have never realized that when you are watching the Major League Baseball games, you are watching Costa Rican products flying around. The famous Rawlings MLB baseballs are made in their factory in Turrialba. When you are on the way to the Caribbean beaches of Cahuita, Puerto Viejo or Manzanillo, you should consider the route San Jose, Turrialba, Siquirres to Limon. It will take a little longer, it’s a winding, steep road, but if you take your time you can really enjoy the changing landscapes. And Turrialba has enough hotels, bars, sodas and restaurants to stop for the night or just for a bite or a drink.