Heredia, Costa Rica

Just 11km northeast of San José lies the lively city of HEREDIA, boosted by the student population of the Universidad Nacional (UNA), at the eastern end of town, and famed for its soccer team, one of the best and most popular in the country. This "City of the Flowers" is also the booming Central American headquarters for several global high-tech firms. The town centre is a little rundown, with the Parque Central flanked by tall palms and a few historical buildings. Small and easy to navigate, Heredia is a natural jumping-off point for excursions to the nearby historical hamlet of Barva and to the town of San José de la Montaña, a gateway to Volcán Barva. Many tourists also come for the Café Britt Finca tour, hosted by the nation's largest coffee exporter, about 3km north of the town centre.