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Situated in the verdant and lush Central Valley at the base of the Volcan Irazu, Cartago was the capital of Costa Rica until the year 1832. A 40-minute bus drive from the capital city of San Jose, this town sits amid some of the richest and greenest pieces of land in Latin America. Considered to be among the oldest towns in the country, Cartago was established in 1563 by Juan Vásquez de Coronado, a Spanish Governor and conquistador along the banks between the Rios Coris and Purires. One of the finest Spanish colonial cities in terms of architecture during its time, much of Cartago was destroyed in 1732 by the eruption of the Irazu Volcano.
Sitting at an altitude of nearly 4,800 feet above sea level, the weather in Cartago is wonderful and much cooler and drier than its neighboring valley towns. And while the natural beauty of this area is truly amazing, this city is a key tourist destination because of its rich history. Ruins here date back past the 16th century, with one of the first churches in Costa Rica the Iglesia del Convento built here in 1635. However, over the centuries the church suffered much damage by earthquakes that have rocked this region and after 5 rebuilding attempts, the church was abandoned in 1910 and the ruins is now a national monument in the city’s park.
An important pilgrimage site and a must visit is the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles in Cartago. A beautiful church with amazing stained glass windows, this basilica is home to the La Negrita, or ‘The Black Virgin’. Every August millions of Ticos come from all across the country to pray here and ask for miracles.
Also famous for its Sunday markets, Cartago has plenty of good shopping for tourists. Formerly a forest area, there is much to see here. You can visit the Irazu Volcano or the Chirripo National Park from here or take a hike up Mount Chirripo the highest peak in Central America.
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