This large valley in the center of the country harbors the nation’s major urban centers including the Capital City of San Jose, and cities of Alajuela and Heredia.  It is surrounded by mountains where coffee fields, ornamental fern plantations, strawberries fields and dairy farms are located at mid elevations and high slopes ranging from 9,000 to 11,000 feet in elevation are forest reserves and national parks.  Places to visit include Poas Volcano National Park (NP), Barva Volcano NP, Irazu Volcano NP, Braulio Carillo NP, and private reserves in the Cerro de la Muerte region, which is best known for places to see the Resplendant Quetzal and other birds of high elevations.