The Centro de Convenciones de Costa Rica hosts congresses, conventions, trade fairs, exhibitions, corporate events and social events, with a main hall for up to 4,000 people theatre-style and room for up to 5,800 people across its main halls. The national convention center stands on the General Cañas highway in Heredia, between San José and Juan Santamaría International Airport.
Seminars and company events
The building is laid out for large meetings with several parallel tracks: a plenary in Salón Talamanca, breakout sessions in the sections of Salón Central and Salón Guanacaste, and committee or board meetings in six smaller rooms. Foyers of up to 1,824 m² serve for registration, exhibitions, coffee breaks and networking. Through the center, organizers can book audiovisual and technology services, virtual add-ons for hybrid or online audiences, food service and parking. A coworking area is also available on site for attendees and teams who need a place to work between sessions. A 360-degree virtual tour on the official website lets planners walk through the spaces before a site visit.
Rooms and capacities
Salón Talamanca covers 3,739 m² and seats 4,000 people theatre-style. It divides into two halves of 1,883 m² for 2,000 people each, or into thirds, with one third for 1,548 people and two thirds for 2,430. Salón Central measures 1,275 m² for 1,360 people theatre-style and splits into three sections, the largest of 614 m² for 600 people and two of about 330 m² for 336 people each. Salón Guanacaste offers 421 m² for 414 people and divides into three rooms of about 140 m². The meeting rooms range from 43 to 70 m²: Sala Heredia, Sala Cartago, Sala Limón, Sala Puntarenas, Sala Guanacaste and the executive Sala Alajuela. The three foyers, the main Foyer, Foyer Alegoría and Foyer Diquís, cover 1,824 m², 786 m² and 539 m². Banquet, cocktail and classroom capacities are listed in each room's technical sheet.
Catering
Food service for events is provided by the center's own gastronomy team. San José Café works as a food stop for attendees during the day, and a Gastronomía To Go service is also offered. The center sells Costa Rican food products through its online shop as well.
History and setting
The center opened in 2018 as Costa Rica's national convention venue, built to bring international congresses and business travel to the country. Its architecture and interiors draw on the biodiversity and cultures of Costa Rica, and most of its rooms carry the names of the country's provinces and regions. The center presents itself as a sustainable building and publishes its environmental commitments on its website.
Getting there
The center lies on the General Cañas highway, in the Heredia area northwest of San José. Juan Santamaría International Airport is about 8 km away and downtown San José about 10 km, so delegates arriving by air face a short transfer. Parking is available on site. Hotels in San José, Heredia and around the airport can accommodate large delegations, as there are no bedrooms at the center itself.
