Top Things to do in Cartago
The 10 Best Things to do in Cartago, Province of Cartago
Discover the best top things to do in Cartago, Costa Rica including Pacuare River, Santuario Nacional Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles, Jardin Botanico Lankester, Santiago Apostol Parish Ruins, Iglesia Maria Auxiliadora, Ruins of the Church of Carthage, Museo Municipal de Cartago, Solo Rosas, Ruinas Sanatorio Carlos Duran, Cartago Central Market.
Restaurants in 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. 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.
4. Santiago Apostol Parish Ruins
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
Reviewed By LauraBartolomeo - New York City, United States
The parish ruins located off Playa Mayor in Cartago is a beautiful landmark of the old Costa Rican capital of Cartago. It has been transformed from ruins to a beautiful public park with very nice gardens and art surrounding. The park is not always open to the public so check in advance schedules. A great spot to stop when visiting Cartago, worth 15-30 mins to admire the architecture and gardens.
5. Iglesia Maria Auxiliadora
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
6. 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.
7. Museo Municipal de Cartago
8. Solo Rosas
9. 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.
