CATIE Botanical Garden — Attraction in Turrialba

Depending on what you want to see, CATIE Botanical Garden might be a disappointment. First off, the map that you are given at the entrance TO THE CAMPUS needs to be interpreted right. Specifically, you need to go forward the circle, take second right - that will set you on the road to the gardens proper. Second, the coffees collection is hands down spectacular. If you are into coffee - this is a truly unique chance to see literally hundreds of varieties of coffee. Nothing like that can be seen at any regular plantation for obvious reasons...Kudos for that! Third, it takes some heroic efforts to find and enjoy the cocoa trees - this patch seems to be in complete oblivion. Forth, the rest of the gardens - I simply could not find it. It must be something behind greenhouses, but there were no paths, no signs, no nothing. In short: coffees collection is phenomenal, everything...

We are absolutely delighted with the botanical garden. Contrary to what others had previously said, the entrance is easy to find, paying by card is no problem at all and the staff are incredibly friendly. The entrance to the front part is well signposted and not particularly large (so it's easy even with children). Afterwards, you can take a walk or drive to a small lake with a wide variety of birds, have a coffee in the colonial main house, admire the many cocoa and coffee plants and, with a bit of luck, even spot a caiman. A great...

Basically very disappointing service for this high entrance fee! We paid 27$ and were all alone for 2 hours and NEVER met an employee. Please write on the homepage that you don't offer tours on Sundays. We were actually interested in the coffee tour and the chocolate shop tour and came especially for those. The botanical garden looks very unkempt and deserted. We would have been better off investing our money in another tour. The only positive thing was the nice man at the entrance gate, but he was not informed...