Turrialba Overview

By Maria Lundgren

A busy agricultural town, Turrialba sits at 65 meters above sea level on the Caribbean slope of the Cordillera Central, on the banks of the Turrialba River. With a population of roughly 75,000, many of whom commute to Cartago or San Jose to work, Turrialba is always on the move. In the past an old railroad system passed through Turrialba on its way to the Caribbean side from San José. After an earthquake, the trains stopped and the city rebuilt itself. Today, the outdoor recreation industry (mostly whitewater rafting), along with the real estate opportunities, have added an influx of foreigners to the area, creating more jobs for the locals.