Zarcero Topiary Park
Landmark · San José & Central Valley




Cypress hedges sculpted into arches, animals and whimsical figures in front of a pink-and-white church — a gardener's life's work in a cool mountain town.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 30 min
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 9 / 10
- View
- 6 / 10
- Crowds
- 5 / 10
- Swimming
- 0 / 10
- Effort
- 0 / 10
- Location
- 10.184503, -84.391684 — Google Maps
Tip
Walk the tunnel of arches up to the church, then try the local cheese and 'pan casero' sold around the park.
Be careful
Keep an eye on your belongings in busy town centres, and dress respectfully if you go inside a church.
Places nearby
- Restaurante El ParquecitoFood & CoffeeFamily-run, very cheap buffet right across from Zarcero's topiary park, opened in 2019 — a warm spot to eat local food when the mountain fog and drizzle roll in.
- Rancho de CeciFood & CoffeeRustic, wood-trimmed family restaurant on Route 141 in Laguna, just north of Zarcero, serving home-style Costa Rican food for over 50 years — recommended by locals.
- Reserva Natural Montaña SagradaParks & WildlifeA 700-hectare community-funded reserve inside Juan Castro Blanco National Park, 9 km east of Sucre, protecting the springs that feed 200+ rural water systems.
- Restaurante Típico Toro Amarillo (Yellow Bull)Sodas & Local FoodVillage restaurant on Route 708 in Bajos del Toro cooking on a wood-fired stove; travel writers rate its breakfast gallo pinto among the best they've had.
- La Vieja Adventures — Ciudad Esmeralda canyon (Río La Vieja)Tours & Adventure · from $40Guided wade-and-hike through a narrow, moss-walled canyon of the Río La Vieja above Ciudad Quesada, ending at the Zafiro waterfall and its turquoise pools.
- Jardín Botánico Else KientzlerParks & WildlifeBotanical garden in Sarchí with winding trails among bamboo, palms, bromeliads and unusual trees, a plant nursery and a café, on Finca La Evita.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/1185592409 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/1185592409 · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Parque_Evangelista_Blanco_Brenes