Turrialba is located in the province of Cartago, Costa Rica. It is an area of different altitudes and microclimates, surrounded by mountains, including the Turrialba volcano, and crossed by rivers such as the Reventazón and the Turrialba. The area is known for its natural beauty, with a strategic location close to the coastal areas and the city.
In this article we tell you how to choose your country-side home in Turrialba with our clients Richard and Karen Kell who decided to live happy and invest wisely with Nativu.
1.Strategic Location
Turrialba is a large canton, with different options to invest. From residential areas in the center with warm climates, to productive farms in the high lands. The first thing to ask before investing is: What kind of property do I want?
- La Suiza: It is the most central area and close to the coasts. It has warm weather most of the year and can be found from single-family houses to large grounds and quintas.
- Santa Teresita, San Antonio, San Rafael, Tuis, Atirro and Guayabo: These mid-rise areas are for those looking to invest in productive farms, properties for ecotourism, accommodation and development.
- Tres Equis and areas surrounding the Volcano: In the high areas we usually find farms of agricultural and tourist production.
What we like most about living in Turrialba is that we are perfectly located in the center of the country and we can be on the Caribbean coast in 3-4 hours and on the Pacific in 5 hours. We are about 2 hours from San Jose by car or bus, depending on traffic conditions. We have an excellent direct bus from Turrialba to San Jose and local buses in the area are very economical.
The streets are in good condition and for those who decide to choose to invest in a car, the landscapes around the road are 100% worth it.
Richard Kell, Nativu Client2. Climate is key when choosing your ideal home in Turrialba
Costa Rica can have a variety of micro-climates in a given region. The town of Turrialba is in a valley and the lower mountains/hills above Turrialba are perfect. The climate is humid and its average temperature is 21.8ºC. Even on its hottest days, there is a pleasant refreshing breeze in the afternoons that goes out at sunset.
Our main house is located at approximately 700 meters (2,300 feet) elevation, so the temperature tends to be moderate (60-80 oF) throughout the year. Depending on the season, it can be clear and sunny in the morning and rainy in the afternoon or vice versa. We always have the doors open during the day and most of the time we sleep with the doors open at night. We do not need heating or a/c.
If you’re wondering, mosquitoes are just a minor nuisance!
Karen Kell, Nativu Client3. Agriculture and a unique lifestyle
As in many parts of Costa Rica, the province of Cartago and its canton of Turrialba are marked by agriculture. There are many small farms in the region and a growing population of organic producers as Costa Ricans increasingly turn to the benefits of eating healthy food.
Despite having a country lifestyle, the area offers necessary amenities such as high-speed internet, well-maintained roads, access to shops, pharmacies, high quality health centers such as William Allen Taylor Public Hospital and private clinics with specialized services.
We chose to immerse our family in the local environment and chose to not live in an ex-pat enclave although that is perfectly fine if that is what someone desires. As it turned out, when we moved here 9 years ago, we found ourselves neighbors with an American family of 7 that operates an organic farm producing vegetables and bread to sell at the local markets. They have now lived in Costa Rica for about 20 years and never even owned a car. They have provided us with a vast wealth of knowledge over the years.
Richard Kell, Nativu client4. Catie & Academic offer
The Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center is an academic center for innovation and sustainable development in issues related to agriculture, management, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. In Turrialba is the Seed Bank that stores thousands of key samples that can improve future conditions in the face of climate change and food insecurity.
This institution contributes to the community as it hosts an annual International Fair, and has one of the best English schools in Costa Rica. They also have a kindergarten to high school program in Spanish/English that is a world-class educational facility.
The academic offer is very wide in the area, from bilingual schools, to technical education entities such as the INA and public universities of high prestige. Among them, the headquarters of the UCR and the UNED stand out.
Investment opportunity! Sustainable dream farm
This property of 20 ha is located 20 minutes from the center of Turrialba. It is a productive self-sustainable farm with 3 houses. It has production of coffee, bananas, cocoa and fruit trees, area for conservation, wineries, tools and much more.
