Hotel Bougainvillea
Ten acres of gardens in Santo Domingo de Heredia, with some 50 species of bromeliads and orchids that bring in the hummingbirds, a pool, tennis courts and a gym.
3-starView hotel
Heredia, the City of Flowers
A colonial town in the hills above the Central Valley, close to the airport and quieter than San José. Most of our clients spend 1 night here, on arrival or before flying home.
- Fly into
- SJO
- 15 to 30 minutes from the airport
- Stay
- 1 night
- What most of our clients choose
- Best weather
- Dec to Apr
- Dry season, spring-like days
- Region
- Central Valley
- Coffee, volcanoes, a colonial centre
- Pairs with
- Arenal
- Private transfer, 3 to 3.5 hours
Why go
A calmer first night near the airport
Heredia was founded in 1705 and has kept its colonial character. Its cathedral, the Inmaculada Concepción, was built in 1796, with bells brought from Cuzco in Peru, and in the park in front of it stands El Fortín, an old Spanish tower. The town is smaller and easier to get around than San José, with the National University giving it a young feel, and the hills around it hold coffee farms, the Barva Volcano and Braulio Carrillo National Park.
The colonial centreThe 1796 cathedral and El Fortín
CoffeePlantation tours in the hills
Volcanoes and forestBarva Volcano and Braulio Carrillo
Hotels we know personally
3-star and above only, chosen by our team in Costa Rica.
When to go
Spring-like days December to April
December to April is the dry season, when it feels like spring every day. May to November is the green season, with more rain.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Dry season, spring-like daysGreen season, more rainSemana Santa, 21 to 28 March 2027: plan early
Minutes from the airport
From the airport (SJO)15 to 30 minutesPrivate transfer, with a meet and greet at arrivals
On to Arenal3 to 3.5 hoursOr by way of La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a day of sightseeing on the road
On to Tortuguero5 to 6 hoursShuttle with a stop for breakfast, then a boat through the canals
Good to know
Heredia questions we answer every week
Should I stay in Heredia or San José?
Heredia is smaller, quieter and easier to get around than San José, and close to the airport. 1 night on arrival or before an early flight home is what most of our clients choose.
How far is Heredia from the airport?
15 to 30 minutes by private transfer from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO).
What is there to do near Heredia?
A coffee plantation tour, a hike on Barva Volcano in Braulio Carrillo National Park, the view from Monte de la Cruz over the Central Valley, and La Paz Waterfall Gardens, about an hour away.
When is the best time to visit Heredia?
December to April is the dry season, when it feels like spring every day.
Your Costa Rica, planned by people who live here
Tell us what you love. A Costa Rica Specialist builds a custom itinerary around it, with private transfers, hotels we know and our team on call 24/7 while you travel.
Since 2004 in Costa RicaOver 25,000 clients1,200+ five-star reviewsICT licensed, Declaratoria Turística