By Roberto Ramon
Photographs By Roberto Ramon
Hidden in it's valleys and rivers , is probably the most beautiful valley in Costa Rica. One hour away from San Jose is mirador Orosi.
This lookout is probably one of the most beautiful vistas you well see Costa Rica if not Central America. Through the vista you will see the reservoir lake Cachi and the river Reventazon which comes at you in two different directions basically cutting into two different valleys.
North Side
Center Side
South Side
And that's what you see two different valleys at once. The valleys are lush with tropical growth and coffee farms. In the south side valley there is a town called Orosi. Further down the valley is Tapanti national park which is a montane rain forest reserve.
Although just arriving at the lookout is an experience in itself. Exploring the valley is another experience. Driving down to the valley one arrives at the town of Orosi.
Not only was this town one of the first towns in colonial Costa Rica but it has a untouched quaintness that exemplifies Costa Rican culture. If you wanted to see real Costa Rican culture than this is the place to go.
If you do go to one of the many restaurants at the center of town. Get yourself a casado which is a typical Costa Rican dish. Which includes rice, black beans, plaintains, and your choice of meat. Also get yourself a juice drink made with real fruit. Believe me you wont regret it.
The town itself includes beautiful vistas and colonial history. Leaving Orosi due south we head to a bridge over the Revantazon river.
Here we see the white water rapids of this part of the river. There is a restaurant here called the rio palomo. The air becomes more humid as we get closer to Tapanti national park.
Continuing north around the valley we see rural residences and Costa Rican country life. We pass mountains full of jungle and coffee plantations. Side roads offer more lush tropical growth and sometimes more restaurants. Here Turrialba volcano can be seen clearly and at this moment it's active.
As we round the valley we arrive at another town called Cachi. This town is next to the Cachi Reservoir. Seeing so much coffee you might want to drink some. If there is a drink or food that represents Costa Rica that would be coffee. Cachi is a good place to drink some. There are restaurants that offer great vistas of Cachi reservoir. Yet the best vista is of the hydroelectric station on the reservoir itself and it's on the way out of the valley.
By now it's probably getting dark. Although Costa Rica is a small country it's very mountainous and travel takes a long time but it's worth it. By now our journey around the valley ends and we arrive at the city of Paraiso. We are returning back to the metropolitan area. While you pass Cartago stop by it's cathedral which is a sight to see.
There are many places places I haven't mentioned in this valley. The Orosi valley has Indigenous and colonial history and it's current culture is a good example of untouched Costa Rican culture. For those not interested in culture, then there is the beautiful vistas. If you want to visit this valley or take this trip understand that you will be limited to individual areas if you use the public buses. The quickest and most thorough way would be to use a car. I recommend a 4X4 although it's not neccesary.
I wanted to take more pictures but my battery only lasts so long.
These are my photos If you want to use them ask me permission. You can use the comment section to contact me.
Watch my video of my trip:
Or watch my previous video on San Jose, Rica:
