At 3,280 feet (almost 1,000 meters) above sea level, the town of Sarchí is located in Costa Rica’s beautiful and lush central valley amidst coffee and sugar plantations. Local artisans have been making crafts in the town for many years, and there are more than 200 stores selling items from carved wooden utensils to leather chairs. Although farmers no longer use the intricately painted oxcarts for which the town is known, the carts are still an important feature of parades and religious celebrations. To watch artisans painting the decorative oxcarts, visit the Joaquín Chaverri Oxcart Factory.
Full-day tours to Sarchi and the Central Valley from San José typically include transportation and stop at a coffee plantation for lunch and in the picturesque village of Grecia.