The city of Cartago was first built in 1563, and suffered various disasters including floods and destructive earthquakes. It was the capital of the country until 1823, when it was moved to what is now San Jose. It suffered more serious damages to its colonial buildings with the devastating 1910 earthquake in the Central Valley. [...]

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There are not many places to stay and eat in Cartago, but what is there is very good. Try the Los Angeles Lodge, in front of the Basilica in the center on avenue 4, which offers very clean rooms and an excellent service, or the Valley Verde House, 1 km on the Orosi road. The place, [...]

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While in Cartago, try Restaurant La Torre, for authentic Italian Food, some 125m East of the ruins, or Café Galeria, on avenida 2 between calles 6 and 8, where you can admire local artists’ paintings while enjoying breakfast, lunch, cappuccinos and pastries. Further away, on the road to Irazu, Restaurant 1910, with typical food served [...]

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Costa Rica is not particularly known for its archaeological sites and ancient cultures, but there is one exception to this. Guayabo can be found in the province of Cartago, on the slopes of Turrianlba Volcano, about 19 kms away from the city of Cartago. The 217.9 hectares of land that makes up this site has been [...]

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The church of Cartago, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, is an important pilgrimage center in Costa Rica. Every year, on August 2nd, thousands of people make their way to the church by foot, from all over the country, to pay their respects to La Negrita or Black Madonna in hope that she [...]

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Cartago is a great day-trip from San Jose. However, many visitors may be drawn in by the charm and choose to spend several days here and even make it the base for further day trips. The area has a cool, cloudy climate and is rich in colonial history, although numerous natural disasters have leveled most of [...]

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