Top Things to do in Province of Cartago
Top 10 Nature & Parks in Province of Cartago, Costa Rica
Discover the best top things to do in Province of Cartago, Costa Rica including Pacuare River, Playa Junquillal, Waterfall La Muralla, El Copal Reserve, Guayabo National Monument, Parque Nacional Tapanti Macizo de la Muerte, Center for Tropical Agricultural Research and Education (CATIE), Orosi River Valley ( El Valle del Rio Orosi ), Savegre Reserve, Jardin Botanico Lankester.
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. Playa Junquillal
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
3. Waterfall La Muralla
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
4. El Copal Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By wrenthrush - Dallas, United States
You need to be a committed bio-bum or birder, but if you are, then this place should be at the top of your list. It's a non-profit reserve, so don't expect anything but the basics. Other reviews spell this out. Very nice people as cooks and caretakers though. You should have a bird guide even if you know Spanish. You'll be birding by ear on the trails, but lots to look at, including Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Dull-mantled Antbird, and Rufous-browed Tyrannulet. The veranda is fabulous for birds right after a rain. You're at eye-level not more than 10 meters away. Snowcaps are in the garden. Collared Trogons, Rufous-winged Woodpecker, Emerald Tanager, White-ruffed and White-collared Manakins all seen from the veranda. I consider this place and the San Gerardo Field Station as two of the best birding hotspots in Costa Rica. Message me if you want deeper info on birds.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Center for Tropical Agricultural Research and Education (CATIE)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By SueF386 - Stroud, United Kingdom
we were taken on a guided tour of CATIE to look at the plants and trees as well as the bird life. It was a fascinating tour giving an insight into Costa Rican agriculture and plant life. The uses of certain fruits and trees were explained in detail - it felt that we could learn from the Costa Ricans to use natural remedies for a wide range of ailments. We saw a variety of birds and thoroughly enjoyed our visit
8. Orosi River Valley ( El Valle del Rio Orosi )
9. Savegre Reserve
10. 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.
