Zarcero

Zarcero

The picturesque town of Zarcero is located in the northern hills of San Ramon, in the Cordillera Central Mountain range. Situated on the San Jose Plateau, on the edge of the Central Valley, this town is the capital of the canton of Alfaro Ruiz and one of the many fascinating villages in the province of Alajuela. At an altitude of 1,736 meters, Zarcero offers scenic views of the surrounding coffee plantations and a peaceful place for travelers to stop and enjoy a rest. Its high altitude is responsible for the lively mountain climate that has made it part of Alajuela's agricultural zone, where the local farmers are proud of their organic farming. The Iglesia de San Rafael, a church that is impressive inside and out, is one of Zarcero's main attractions. Anyone who appreciates beautiful sights should see the beautiful religious paintings, graceful arches and stained-glass windows. The Iglesia de San Rafael entrance is located directly behind the Parque Francisco Alvarado, the notorious topiary garden designed by Don Evangelista Blanco in 1964. The park's gardener and curator, Don Evangelista Blanco, transformed ordinary shrubs and hedges into animal and human figures and interesting abstract shapes. Don Evangelista Blanco has made everything from dinosaurs to helicopters to Christ carrying a cross without any training in cypress sculpture. The other attraction in the highland town of Zarcero is the Los Ángeles Cloud Forest Reserve, where spectacular trails offer the chance to see a wide variety of wildlife.