In the hills just north of San Jose, on the slope of Barva Volcano, is the smallest of the provincial capitals, Heredia.
With a population of just over 30,000 people, the city has a slower more mellow pace. As with many Latin towns founded during colonial times, 1706 in the case of Heredia, the central square dominates the life of it's people.
One of the nicest central parks in the country, it is filled with large towering trees, covered bandstand, impressive water fountain and plenty of benches.
It is the perfect place to while away an afternoon playing checkers. To the north and east of the park are two of the best remaining examples of colonial architecture in the entire country. To the east is the church, La Inmaculada Concepción, and to the north is a colonial fortress know simply as 'El Fortín'.
Inmaculada's weather worn and bare stone exterior belies an interior that is tastefully ornamented with high vaulted ceilings and a beautiful, stain glass window encircled dome above the alter. El Fortín is essentially the last remaining turret from a later eighteenth century Spanish fortress and has become the symbol of the town.
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