Zacero
In the northern hills of San Ramon in the Cordillera Central lies the scenic town of Zarceo. At an elevation of 5,695 ft., Zarcero offers picturesque views of the surrounding coffee plantations. However, it is the most famous for its topiary gardens called Parque Francisco Alvarado.,centrally located in front of the church, Iglesia San Rafael.
Evangelisto Blanco created this park in the 1960’s, as he was inspired to trim the bushes into fun animals and characters. He has made everything from dinosaurs and helicopters to Christ carrying a cross. There is also a stunning series of 16 arches.
The Church behind the gardens is known for its pink-and-blue exterior and pastel interior murals.
Next we stopped at Sarchí Artisan Oxcart Workshops to see how they build traditional oxcarts. The complex includes a crafts workshop and store as well.
Doca Coffee Plantation
A coffee plantation we visited was The Doca Hacienda. Our tour there was extensive. We started at the seedbed where the journey of every coffee bean begins. The different plant varieties and their growth cycles were explained. Then we went into the coffee roasting plant. The art of roasting was explained as well as their variety of roasts. Each blend tells a unique story, contributing to the distinct flavor and aroma of the coffee. The best part was the sampling after the tour.
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