Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Barva
Pop 5000
Surrounded by picturesque mountains only 2.5km north of Heredia is the historic town of
Barva, a settlement that dates back to 1561 and has been declared a national monument.
The town center is dotted with low-lying 19th-century buildings and is centered on the
towering
Iglesia San Bartolomé
, which was constructed in 1893. The surrounding area
was once popular with the Costa Rican elite: Cleto González Víquez (1858-1937), twice
president of Costa Rica (he built the original National Library), was born and raised here.
It's a perfect spot for a lazy afternoon stroll.
Sights & Activities
Museo de Cultura Popular
MUSEUM
( 2260-1619; Santa Lucía; 8am-4pm Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm Sun)
Housed in a restored 19th-century farmhouse 1.5km southeast of Barva and 3km north of
Heredia, this tiny museum surrounded by well-labeled gardens is run by the Universidad
Nacional. Visitors can tour rooms full of antique furniture, textiles, ceramics and other
period pieces. On Sunday the onsite restaurant La Fonda serves
casados
(US$8) on its
pleasant open-air terrace.
Café Britt Finca
GUIDED TOUR
(
2277-1600;
www.coffeetour.com
; adult with/without lunch US$37/22, student US$32/17;
tours
11am year-round, plus 3pm seasonally; )
Costa Rica's most famous coffee roaster offers a 90-minute bilingual tour of its plantation
that includes coffee tasting, a video presentation and a hokey stage play about the history
of coffee (small kids will likely dig it). More in-depth tours are available, as are packages
including transport from San José; reserve ahead. Drivers won't be able to miss the
many
signs between Heredia and Barva.
Festivals & Events
