Alajuela

The Juan Santamaría Museum tells the eventful story of the Costa Rican national hero, who fell in 1856 in battle against the troops of US mercenary William Walker. Housed in the former military hospital, the museum offers a vivid exhibition with historical documents, uniforms, paintings and interactive media. Visitors are given a deep insight into the emergence of Costa Rican national consciousness and the role of Santamaría in the country's history. The inner courtyard with its colonnades is particularly worth seeing - a place of reflection and historical significance.

Zoo Ave, just a few kilometres outside Alajuela, is a flagship project for species conservation and rehabilitation in Costa Rica. Unlike traditional zoos, this facility focuses on rescuing injured wild animals and returning them to the wild. Visitors stroll through spacious, tropical grounds and encounter macaws, toucans, caimans, monkeys and many other animal species. The lovingly designed environment conveys an intense experience of nature and makes the visit an educational and moving excursion, especially for animal and nature lovers.

The small town of Grecia surprises visitors with a unique piece of architecture: the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, built entirely from red steel. Imported from Belgium in the 19th century, the church was shipped across the Atlantic in individual parts and assembled on site - a masterpiece of engineering at the time. With its neo-Gothic style, colourful windows and unusual choice of materials, it is one of the most impressive church buildings in Latin America. Embedded in the well-kept city centre of Grecia, it is not only a religious but also a cultural landmark.

Sarchí is the best-known handicraft centre in Costa Rica and is famous for its colourful, hand-painted oxcarts - traditional ox carts that were once used to transport coffee. Today, these richly decorated carts are considered a national cultural asset and a symbol of Costa Rican identity. In numerous workshops and galleries, visitors can experience first-hand how they are carved, painted and decorated with great skill and passion. In addition to oxcarts, Sarchí also offers high-quality wood carvings, furniture and souvenirs - a worthwhile stop for anyone who wants to feel the creative heart of Costa Rica.