This former coffee capital of Costa Rica, 11.2 km northeast of San Jose, dates from 1706 and is affectionately called City of the Flowers. At its core is the atmospheric Parque Central dominated by the venerable Basilica de la Immaculada Concepcion, erected in 1797 and featuring bells imported from Cuzco, Peru.

The handsome tree-shaded plaza proffers panoply of historic attractions, including the circular brick fortress, El Fortin, erected by President Alfredo Gonzalez Flores. Flores lived across Calle Central in what is now the Casa de la Cultura, housing a small museum and art gallery.