A bustling working class city, Paraiso (pop 43,000) is a turnoff point from Cartago to reach Turrialba and access the Caribbean coast or the quaint town of Orosi and Tapanti National Park. Sitting at 1360 meters above sea level, Paraiso receives an immense amount of rainfall, averaging 1000-1300mm annually. The temperate climate varies between 18-24 C (64-75F) by day and 15-18 C (59-64F) by night.
Even though Paraiso is in route to popular destinations, the town itself holds little in the sense of tour activities, places to sleep and restaurants. Paraiso is home to the only all-deaf school in Costa Rica, an extension campus of the University of Costa Rica, and the Lankester Gardens. High-end hotels such as the Sanchiri Mirador & Lodge and the Paraiso Mountain Club Hostel are located four to seven kilometers outside of town towards Ososi, and finer restaurants dot the road in the same path. Accommodations do not exist within the city center. If you are in the city, on opposite ends of the central park you will find the best options to eat, Pizza Sol y Luna and Soda La Magnolia. Across from Pizza Sol y Luna is an herbal shop that supplies an impressive amount of natural medicines, lotions and food. Bakeries line the city blocks and a large grocery store and bank with two ATM’s sit alongside the central park.