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The smallest province of Costa Rica, Heredia is a very beautiful place that lies in the northern central part of the county and is bordered by Nicaragua in the north. Barva is one of Heredia’s many picturesque towns that lie on the fertile slopes of the extinct Barva Volcano just next to Poas Volcano and around 2 km north of Heredia City, in the lush and green Central Valley. The word ‘Barva’ comes from the name of a local Indian tribal chief ‘Barvac’ who used to rule the area before the Spanish arrived here.
One of the first towns to be colonized, Barva retains much of its authentic Costa Rican flavor and so not a lot of English is spoken here. If you plan on touring this town be prepared to brush up on your Spanish while you are here. Colonized by Spain in 1561, this town is home to many quaint and charming colonial adobe homes with red tiled roofs and low thick walls. In the center of town is the lovely Central Park with a gorgeous white-color stucco church nearby that has 19th century baroque influences. The church and the central plaza around it have been declared national monuments by the Costa Rican government, along with the many old buildings and houses in the area that are now preserved under the law.
With its colonial feel and old-fashioned ambiance, Barva is a must-visit if you enjoy exploring a town with deep cultural roots. Surrounded by vast coffee plantations, coffee cultivation is this town’s main industry. However, many locals are also known for being excellent artisans and craftsmen. Recently in an attempt to beautify the town’s Central Park, different Costa Rican artists from all across the country donated statues to help give the park a face-lift.
Though a small town, Barva has all the modern conveniences of a city and with its close proximity to both Heredia and San Jose, reaching this stunningly pretty town is no problem at all. Catch a bus from Heredia for a 10-minute trip to Barva, or drive in from San Jose, which is just 25 minutes away. There are plenty of hotels, accommodations and restaurants found all over town.
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