Zarcero

A charming mountain town celebrated for its whimsical topiary garden in front of a colorful church. The cool highland setting and shaped hedges make it one of the country's most photogenic plazas.

Things to do

• Parque Francisco Alvarado — Wander the famous topiary garden with its whimsical arches, animals, and dinosaur-like sculptures sculpted from cypress hedges since the 1960s.
• Iglesia de San Rafael — Photograph and step inside the pastel blue-and-white church behind the topiaries, admiring its hand-painted wooden interior and folk-art ceiling.
• Buy local cheese and dairy — Zarcero is famous for its cheeses and homemade dairy, so stop at shops around the plaza to sample fresh queso and cajeta.
• Highland countryside drive — Take a scenic drive through the surrounding green mountains and dairy farms that give Zarcero its cool, misty climate.
• Visit the weekly feria — Browse the local farmers market for highland vegetables, strawberries, and homemade preserves grown in the fertile volcanic soil.
• Hike toward Juan Castro Blanco National Park — Explore the nearby cloud-forest reserve known for its rivers, waterfalls, and abundant birdlife on the town's outskirts.

Food to try

• Queso Zarcero — The town's signature semi-soft white cheese, sold fresh and eaten with tortillas or in local dishes.
• Cajeta — A sweet milk-based fudge candy made in the dairy region, often flavored with coconut or vanilla.
• Palmito (heart of palm) — Featured in salads and the local palmito cheese, reflecting Costa Rica's fresh produce.
• Fresas con crema — Fresh highland strawberries served with cream, a treat thanks to the cool climate around Zarcero.
• Casado — The classic Costa Rican plate of rice, beans, plantains, salad, and meat served at local sodas.

Local customs & good to know

• Bring a jacket — At around 1,700 meters elevation, Zarcero is noticeably cooler and often misty compared to lowland Costa Rica.
• Respect the topiaries — The hedges are a beloved community art project, so admire and photograph them without climbing or touching.
• Support family shops — Cheese and sweets are made by local families, so buying directly helps the town's small dairy economy.
• Sundays are lively — The plaza fills with families and worshippers, making weekends the most vibrant time to visit.

Nearby

• Sarchí — 10 km
• Poás Volcano National Park — 18 km
• La Paz Waterfall Gardens — 25 km
• Alajuela City — 26 km