Top Things to do in Province of Cartago
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What to do and see in Province of Cartago, Costa Rica: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Province of Cartago, Costa Rica including Pacuare River, Santuario Nacional Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles, Parque Nacional Tapanti Macizo de la Muerte, Guayabo National Monument, Orosi River Valley ( El Valle del Rio Orosi ), Jardin Botanico Lankester, Iglesia de San Jose de Orosi and the Museum, Ruins of the Church of Carthage, Irazu Volcano National Park, Ruinas Sanatorio Carlos Duran.
Restaurants in Province of Cartago
1. Pacuare River
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 138 reviews
This beautiful river runs from the Caribbean Coast inland almost to Cartago.
Reviewed By 881vitaliyk - New York City, United States
Gorgeous scenery, experienced and professional guides, super fun, highly recommend, went with a 12 yo
2. Santuario Nacional Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 665 reviews
This church is best known for the 1635 appearance of the country's patron saint, the Black Virgin. An annual pilgimage takes place in August.
Reviewed By hermanh239 - Cibolo, United States
Great feeling to say hi to la Madre de todos los Costarricenses, no matter where we are. Each trip to Costa Rica if possible we visit la basilica, is like refueling our Faith for the mother de los Ticos y Ticas.
3. Parque Nacional Tapanti Macizo de la Muerte
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 176 reviews
Only an hour's drive from San Jose, this dense rainforest remains largely obscure.
Reviewed By ajp1216 - Houston, United States
We have been living in Costa Rica for several months and are nearing the end of our stay. We're going to places we really want to see before we leave. The Orosi Valley is one of those places on my list. There are quite a few things you can do in or near the Valley. We chose this park because our guide books said there were quetzals near the ranger station. My daughter really wants to see a quetzal before we leave. However, when we got to the entrance, the ranger told us there are no quetzals by the entrance. That was disappointing. It was pouring rain when we got there - bring rain gear because this place gets a ton of rain each year - and we weren't prepared. I started to regret our decision to come. My guidebook said the entrance fee was $2/person. However, the prices are $10/adults and $5/kids. Again, I was wondering if that was too high a price if it would be pouring rain down on us. We drove to the lookout point (mirador) and walked to the top of the stairs and saw a lovely forest with a waterfall. We then took the hiking trail that leads to a waterfall. We saw the rainforest, waterfalls, a hanging bridge, a river, and more waterfalls. All along the river and waterfalls are small, medium, and enormous sized rocks. Our kids loved looking at all the rocks, climbing over them like mountain goats, and wading in the water. The river water was cold. I wouldn't plan to swim in it. But the sun came out and the temperature was lovely and we just explored the area and had such a great time. It reminded me of the Rocky Mountain streams I played in as a child. On the hike back up, we heard beautiful birds calling, bird calls we had never heard before. Other than a few birds, we didn't see any animals or wildlife while we were there. So while the park lists anteaters, tapirs, and monkeys as residents, I would not count on seeing any unless you have a guide or are hiking the less-traveled trails. We spent the day in and around the Orosi Valley and this place alone made the entire day worth the 6 hours we spent in the car getting to and from the Valley. I would highly recommend it. One last thing: the roads going to this park are filled with pot holes that collect water. I wish the government responsible for these roads would fix them. We rented a 4-wheel drive SUV and I'm glad we had it. I have never seen so many potholes - some quite deep - in my life. You also have to cross more than one bridge with a warning sign that translates to "bridge in bad state." I wish the government would fix those bridges. My husband walked and inspected one suspension bridge before we drove across it. There was also a recent mud slide opposite the park. While all of these things may deter you from going, I would suggest that these things make the park more remote and less traveled and thus worth exploring.
4. Guayabo National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 365 reviews
The country's most significant archaeological site is a 540-acre city occupied between 1000 B.C. and A.D. 1400.
Reviewed By fairwater470
If you want to see ruins this is a great, short stop with a lot of history. It didn't cost very much and was a nice walk through the jungle. They have a lot of signage telling you what you are seeing. The drive up the mountain was a lot of fun. The views are incredible.
5. Orosi River Valley ( El Valle del Rio Orosi )
6. Jardin Botanico Lankester
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 412 reviews
The Lankester Botanical Garden is a research center of the University of costa Rica, created in 1973 due to the international efforts of scientists and conservationists. Our mission is the research of orchids and other epiphytes to preserve our plante's biological diversity and to inspire and improve people's quiality of life
Reviewed By jmorrowlmt - Lakeland, United States
Beautiful garden, and I have never seen so many orchids. They had hundreds of them and all blooming. This is a 26-acre park, and you can see all of it in a leisurely stride in about an hour or so. We happened to stumble in on a Sunday, and they were lots of families having picnics and just hanging out. There are different themed areas in the gardens, including a koi pond and plenty of incredible plant life to explore. The cafe was closed due to covid, but the gift shop was open, and the day we stopped in, there was a food vendor in the park. Parking can be limited and the road to the garden is very rough. Well worth the visit.
7. Iglesia de San Jose de Orosi and the Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 112 reviews
Reviewed By dr917 - Escazu, Costa Rica
What a treasure! The Fransicans left a trove of art and religious icons from the last several centuries in this OLD church and museum. Very interesting!!!!
8. Ruins of the Church of Carthage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By rileycw
As Cartago was the former town, we thought that we would visit it in search of unique architecture. That was not the case, aside from the inside of the church. We ran into an American who lives in Costa Rica three months out the year and asked him what else was there to see in the town. He mentioned the Ruins and it was worth the short ten-minute walking from the church. After facing several calamities, it was decided not to rebuild this church and today it stands as a ruin. It is a lovely park with well-manicured grounds but you are not permitted to go within the walls of the building. This, too, reminded me of a bit of home, the Unfinished Church in St. George's, Bermuda.
9. Irazu Volcano National Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 799 reviews
This park is centered around the largest volcano in the country, which has a surprising moon-like landscape.
Reviewed By mattf393 - Boston, United States
My wife and I were fortunate to have a day to visit Irazu with a clear summit. At over 10,000' it's the highest volcano in Costa Rica and boasts an impressive main crater lake. There are beautiful views for the drive up/down and there is a large gas station/store at the very bottom. As others may have noted, avoid the large buses and noise that comes with that by arriving when they open. This will allow you plenty of time to walk around and take in the scenery before you start hearing the crowd noise. There were dried lake beds enroute to the main crater lake. It's really a beautiful view and you will feel the altitude with a couple extra breaths as you're walking around. We then drove to the very top viewing point with an overlook. The short drive between the main crater parking lot and top view point included tons of Hummingbirds. We could not believe how plentiful they were. I was able to setup my tripod, zoom in on a single flower, and snap some pictures of a bird that came in to feed. A very worthwhile visit but again do arrive when they open.
10. Ruinas Sanatorio Carlos Duran
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 217 reviews
Reviewed By 555leannh - Miami, United States
Love this place, its an old, abandoned tuberculosis hospital in the middle of a farm that is rumored to be haunted. The cows on the grounds and the surrounding mountains make this a great place to visit. A must see if you are in this area. Very cheap entrance fee, around 1200 colones.
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