THE CENTRAL VALLEY
Cartago
CARTAGO & THE CENTRAL VALLEY
Discover Costa Rica’s Rich History
Colonial art and architecture are some of the main features that make the area so attractive. A great example is the Temple of Orosi, the oldest church in the nation.
The entire region is awash in historical, cultural, and religious significance. For instance, the Guayabo National Monument is an archeological site dating back to pre-Colombian times surrounded by rainforest. One of the biggest archeological finds in the country it features man-made mounds, bridges, and highways, as well as a still-functioning aqueduct.
Also, the most important religious pilgrimages takes place in the city of Cartago at the Our Lady of the Angel Basilical. Every year on the second of August, pilgrims flock to the statue of the Virgin Mary, affectionately called, “La Negrita”, due to its black color.
Visit the Highest Volcano in Costa Rica
Like much of the country, Cartago has a humid and tropical climate. The province sits within two mountain ranges; the Central and the Talamanca. The highest point in Costa Rica, Cerro Chirripó, is located in Cartago at an impressive 11,811 feet above sea level.
Although it might not be the highest peak in the region, Cartago’s main attraction is the Irazú volcano, which is the highest volcano in the country at a whopping 11,252 feet. Thousands of tourists come to the volcano a year to hike and take in the majestic vistas of Irazú’s crater lake.
