Things to do in Cartago Area
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Lankester Gardens
The University of Costa Rica runs the exceptional Lankester Gardens, which was started as a private garden by British orchid enthusiast Charles Lankester in 1917, but was turned over to the university for public administration in 1973. Orchids are the big draw at this tranquil 11-hectare spot, with more than 1100 at their showiest from March to May. There is also a new Japanese garden, as well as areas full of bromeliads, palms, heliconias and other tropical plants. There is a good gift shop (this is one of the few places where foreigners can legally purchase orchids to take home) and a cafe was in the works at the time of research. Guided tours in English and Spanish can…
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Parque Nacional Tapantí-Macizo Cerro de la Muerte
This 580-sq-km national park protects the lush northern slopes of the Cordillera de Talamanca, and has a rainy claim to fame: it is the wettest park in the country, getting almost 8000mm of precipitation a year. In 2000 it was expanded to include the infamous Cerro de la Muerte – otherwise known as the ‘Mountain of Death.’ This precipitous peak is the highest point on the Interamericana and the northernmost extent of páramo, a highland shrub and tussock grass habitat that’s most commonly found in the Andes and is home to a variety of rare bird species.
Known simply as Tapantí, the park also protects wild and mossy country that’s fed by, literally, hundreds of riv…
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Finca Cristina
Two kilometers east of Paraíso on the road to Turrialba is Finca Cristina, an organic coffee farm that is open to visitors by appointment only (call ahead for a reservation). Linda and Ernie have been farming in Costa Rica since 1977, and a 90-minute tour of their microbeneficio (miniprocessing plant) is a fantastic introduction to the processes of organic-coffee growing, harvesting and roasting. Finca Cristina also sells its product to guests at wholesale prices.
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Las Ruinas de la Parroquia
Las Ruinas de la Parroquia was built in 1575 as a shrine to St James the Apostle (Santiago, in Spanish), destroyed by the 1841 earthquake, rebuilt a few years later and was then destroyed again in the 1910 earthquake. Today only the outer walls of the church remain, but ‘the Ruins’ are a pleasant spot for hanging out and people-watching – though legend has it that the ghost of a headless priest wanders the ground on foggy nights.
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La Casona del Cafetal Restaurant
This charming lakeside restaurant is situated in the middle of a coffee plantation. It is popular with local families who arrive to dip into fresh river trout or grilled pork loins glazed with tamarind sauce. Don’t miss the coffee-laced deserts, such as flan and ice cream. There is a small playground for the kiddies, as well as short trails and a lagoon with paddle boats for rent (in high season). This is a popular spot on Sundays.
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Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles
The most important site in Cartago – and the most venerated religious site in the country – this basilica channels any airy Byzantine grace, with fine stained-glass windows and ornate side chapels featuring carved wood altars. Though the structure has changed many times since 1635, when it was first built, the relic that it protects remains unharmed inside.
La Negrita, ‘the Black Virgin,’ is a small (less than a meter tall), probably indigenous, representation of the Virgin Mary, found on this spot on August 2, 1635 by a native woman. As the story goes, when she tried to take the statuette with her, it miraculously reappeared back where she’d found it. Twice. So the t…
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Casa del Soñador
Casa del Soñador is an artisanal woodworking studio run by Hermes Quesada. The son of renowned Tico carver Macedonio Quesada, Hermes maintains the campesino (peasant farmer) tradition of whittling gnarled coffee-wood branches into ornate religious figures and whimsical characters. His workshop displays sculptures of all sizes, with pieces available for purchase.
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Restaurant 1910
On the road up to the park entrance, 100m north of the Pacayas turnoff, this homey spot is worth a stop for lunch to see its collection of old photographs documenting the 1910 earthquake that completed the destruction of colonial Cartago. Expect a long list of Tico specialties, including fresh grilled river trout.
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Terra Mall
On the main highway, about 8km west of Cartago in Tres Ríos, you’ll find this massive new mall, stocked with everything from a high-end multiplex (you can get cocktails served inside some of the movie theaters) to brand-name boutiques – not to mention lots of teenagers.
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La Puerta del Sol
Located downstairs from Los Ángeles Lodge, this pleasant soda has been around since 1957 and serves myriad Tico specialties as well as burgers and sandwiches. Don’t miss the vintage photos of Cartago displayed on the walls.
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Bazar Mafalda
To the west of the church, this place stocks an interesting selection of rosaries, scapulars and ex-votos –and, rather incongruously, soccer paraphernalia and nail polish.
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Elias Leiva Museum of Ethnography
For an insight into regional cultures, visit this museum, located in the basement of the Colegio Luis Gonzaga. It has a few small displays of pre-Columbian and colonial artifacts.
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Los Balnearios
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Cafetería Orosi
Adjacent to the Orosi Lodge is this recommended cafe that serves organic local coffee, as well as a mix of homemade pastries, salads and sandwiches – and even an excellent apple cake.
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Remembranzos
One block to the west is this tiny cluttered shop selling vintage coins, stamps, photographs and company scrip from coffee plantations. Hours are erratic, so call ahead.
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Panadería Araya
A tidy little bakery with tasty breads and pastries (try the flaky palm-leaf cookies) and a narrow counter where you can sip fresh-brewed coffee.
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Kirieti Indian History Museum
The Kirieti Indian History Museum, 6km southwest of Cartago in Tobosi, emphasizes history through documentation.
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Los Patios
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Museum
Adjacent to the Iglesia de San José Orosi is a small museum with interesting examples of Spanish-colonial religious art and artifacts, some of which date back to the 17th century.reviewed
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Iglesia de San José Orosi
Orosi is one of the few colonial-era towns to survive Costa Rica’s frequent earthquakes, which have thankfully spared the postcard-perfect village church. Built in 1743, it is the oldest religious site still in use in Costa Rica. The roof of the church is a combination of thatched cane and ceramic tiling, while the carved wood altar is adorned with religious paintings of Mexican origin.reviewed
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Finca La Flor de Paraíso
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Montaña Linda
If you want to study Spanish, Toine and Sara run one of the most affordable language schools in the country.reviewed
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Aventuras Orosi
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Sanchiri Restaurante
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Mercado Central
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