Cartago

Population 120,000 Cartago was founded in 1563 and was the colonial capital until 1823. Major earthquakes in 1841 and 1910 ruined almost all the old buildings. The city is the capital of Cartago Province, and it lies at 1435 meters, between the Cordillera Central and the Cordillera de Talamanca. Volcan Irazu looms nearby. The city is 22 km southeast of San Jose they're connected by a good road.

Churches & La Nigrita

The church, at Av 2, Calle 2, was destroyed by the 1910 earthquake, and Las Ruinas are now home to a pretty garden.

East of the town center, at Av 2, Calle 16, is the most famous church of the Central valley La Basfllca de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles. The story goes that a statue of the virgin was discovered on the site on August 2, 1635, and it miraculously reappeared after being removed. A shrine was built on the spot, and today the statue, La Negrita, represents the patron saint of Costa Rica. La Negrita has miraculous heating powers attributed to her, and every year on August 2 pilgrims arrive on foot from San Jose, 22 km away. Inside the Basilica is a chapel dedicated to La Negrita, where gifts from cured pilgrims can be seen. Most are metal models of parts of the human body that have been miraculously heated, The Basilica was destroyed in the 1926 earthquake and rebuilt in Byzantine style.

Lankester Gardens

Six km east of Cartago, the university run Lankester Gardens feature an extensive orchid collection, an arboretum and many plants. Catch a Paraiso bus and ask for the turnoff for the gardens. From the turnoff, walk 0.75 km to the entrance. Hours are daily 8:30 am to 3:30 pm; admission is about US$2.50. All year is good, but February, March and April are best for viewing orchids. Free guided tours are sometimes given.

Rio Orosi Valley

This extends southeast of Cartago and is a popular day trip from Cartago, though there are places to stay. There are pretty views, colonial buildings, hot springs, a lake and a wildlife refuge. Many San Jose companies offer day tours to the valley, but you can visit cheaply by public bus from Cartago. The first village is Paraiso, eight km east of Cartago, with decent restaurants. Seven km east of Paraiso is Ujarr6s, flooded and abandoned in 1833. The ruined l7th century church and other buildings are interesting to see. La Virgen de Ujarras is celebrated on April 16 with a procession, mass, music and local food. A short distance above Ujarrds is a lookout point for the artificial Lago de Cachi, formed by a hydroelectric dam.

Six km south of Paraiso is the village of Oros! (population 8000) named after a 16thcentury Huetar Indian chief and now the center of an important coffee growing region. Orosi boasts an early 18th century church one of the oldest still in use in Costa Rica. Orosi Turismo provides local information and rents bikes and horses. There are hot springs on the outskirts of town. Montana Linda , charges US$5.50 per person and has a hostel environment. Hot showers, kitchen privileges and inexpensive meals are offered, and local information is available. Near Purlsil village, about eight krn southeast of Orosi, is the private Monte Sky cloud forest reserve, which features good birding. Ask at Orosi Turismo about guided walks (US$8), camping and overnight stays (US$25 per person including meals). Almost three km further east is the Parque Nacionai Tapanti (formerly a wildlife refuge). It has traits and is open at 6 am for birding, which it is known for. There is a ranger station and admission is US$6, but there are few facilities. It is possible to camp with a permit from the ranger, The area is very wet, and dry season visits are recommended.

Parque Nacional Volcan Irazu

This is the highest active volcano in Costa Rica (3432 meters). A major eruption on March 19, 1963, covered San Jose and most of the Central Valley with several centimeters of volcanic ash over 50 cm deep in places. Since then IrazO's activity has been limited to gently smoking fumaroles in a bare landscape of volcanic ash and craters.

A paved road leads to the summit, where the main crater is 1050 meters across and 300 meters deep. There are several smaller craters. There's a parking area and a small information center, open from 9 am to 4 pm daily. There are no overnight accommodations, camping facilities or food. The entrance fee is US$6. From the summit it is possible to see both coasts, but it is rarely clear enough to do so. The best chance is in the early morning during the dry season (January to April). It tends to be cold and cloudy on the submit so bring warm clothes.

Cartago Hotels

El Pelicano - San Gerardo de Rivas Cartago Costa Rica
Hotel Rio Perlas Spa and Resort - Valle De Orosi Orosi 95-7100 Costa Rica
Turrialtico Mountain Lodge - Turrialba Costa Rica
Savegre Mountain Hotel - San Gerardo De Dota1km South Form La Lidia School Cartago 482-7050 Costa Rica