Cartago see · Cartago attractions
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Cartago attractions
Cartago attractions
Irazú Volcano Located around 30 km (12 miles) from Cartago downtown is one of the most famous volcanos in Costa Rica. This volcano erupted in 1963 when John F. Kennedy was visiting Costa Rica, right now is extinguished. On Sunday mornings only, a bus from San Jose takes on passengers at an unmarked point near the bus terminal in Cartago sometime after 8:30AM (4000 colones return) and return at 12:30PM from the National Park. Park entrance fee for foreigners only: $US10 / 5020 colones.
Orosi Valley Beautiful landscape. Orosi is a small town about 12 km (8 mi) east of Cartago where you can see one of the first churches built in Costa Rica. Is surrounded by beautiful mountains and coffee plantations. Easily you can find hostels, hotels and restaurants in the area.
Cachi Dam Is next to Orosi around 7 km (5 mi) east. A Dam was built in the 70s and the lake is surrounded also by beautiful mountains. Cachi is also a little town where "casa del leñador" or the woodcutter house can be found. It is a place to buy woodcraft made from the coffee roots. Some very good restaurants are located around the lake, the speciality is "Trout"
Trout growers are very often in this area of Costa Rica and you can catch the fish for yourself and just wait to be fried afterwards.
The Area has experienced a very important grow for people that look for properties specially foreigners. Few years ago a five star Hotel was opened RIO PERLAS and another is on paper right now that will offer stay for people that is in Costa Rica for a special health treatment.
Turrialba Is the second city of the Province. It is located around 40 km (25 mi) east of Cartago downtown. Is the house of the best rafting of Costa Rica. Very good hotels are here (Casa Turire, Pochotel) specially around the lake that was created for a big Dam. The Turrialba volcano is active and you can see it from different places (gases only) Hotel Turrialba Lodge is one that is very close to the volcano. Also in Turrialba you can find the only big archaeological site of Costa Rica, Guayabo.
The Lankaster Botanical Gardens in Paraiso, just outside of Cartago (7 km east). Home to Central America's largest collection of orchids and epiphytes, Lankaster is a must see. A new Japanese garden is under construction (November 2009).
The Basilica home of "La Virgen de los Angeles"
The legend:
It is believed by a great many Costa Rican's that it is this virgin that protects Costa Rica from natural disasters. Every August 1st over a million Costa Rican's walk to Cartago from all over the country to commemorate the date, recently many tourists join the trip which is around 25 km (15 mi).
Las Ruins
The legend:
The church has been rebuilt, but each time it was brought down by earthquake. The city abandoned the church as cursed after the final destruction in 1910 and left it as the ruins you can now see when you visit the town square.
Tapanti National Park
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Cartago
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Cartago - updated Apr 2024
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Cartago Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
