The Orosi Valley, southeast of Cartago and visible from the top of Irazú on a clear day, is generally considered one of the most beautiful valleys in Costa Rica.

Yesterday I went with some friends to the beautiful Orosi Valley which brought back a lot of memories. Actually I discovered this place on my first trip to Costa Rica over 30 years ago. At the time there were very few travel guide books on  Costa Rica, but I just happened to find one where Orosi was mentioned. I had to take three buses to get there in those days but the trip was worth while. I actually ended up spending there nights there at the Motel Río which still exists today. I made friends with the owners and they invited me to there farm for lunch.

Getting back to yesterday’s excursion. We left Heredia at 9:30 am and were in Cartago about an hour later. Since it is holy week there is very little traffic and  getting from one place to another a piece of cake. After leaving Cartago we passed through the town of Paraiso which means paradise. So you can actually find paradise in more than one way in Costa Rica. Then stopped at the Mirador (lookout) de Orosi which overlooks the whole Orosi Valley. The view is absolutely spectacular and has to be seen to be believed. Famed travel writer Christopher Baker describes the area as a Shangrela-like valley.

Next we descended into the valley. The verdant hillsides are filled with coffee plants. The rushing Reventazón River bisects the valley and empties into Lake Cachí. We took the loop around the whole valley and had lunch at the Casona de Cafetal restaurant situated on a hill over looking Lake Cachí.

After lunch we headed out of the valley on our way back to Heredia. Just when you finish climbing out of the valley heading towards the town of Paraiso, you can see the spectacular Velo de Novia waterfall. Legend has it that a couple of lovers through themselves over the falls because of a frustrated romance. A little over an hour later we were home.

The trip we took today is just one example of an exciting activity with a short drive of San José.  Costa Rica is small but offers so much to see and do for retirees. I talk about all of this in detail on my monthly retirement tours.