Cartago travel guide
Cartago, Costa Rica: where to stay, eat and play
Costa Rica’s old colonial capital, home to the famous Basilica de los Ángeles, Irazú Volcano and green rolling hills, an easy day trip from San José.
By Sarah & Thomas, calling Costa Rica home since 2016
Best Time
Dec to Apr
From San José
About 45 min
Best Airport
SJO
Climate
Cool, bring layers
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Our take
Who Cartago is for
Typically you won’t hear anyone recommend Cartago as a must-visit, but we’ve found some really worthwhile experiences here. Downtown feels hectic and isn’t the nicest, but head out of the city and you’ll find beautiful rolling fields and mountains.
Best for: travelers who want a volcano up close, a famous church (and its yearly pilgrimage), cool mountain air and day trips to the Orosi Valley, all close to San José.
How long to stay: You probably won’t want to stay in downtown Cartago. It’s a great day trip if you’re in the San José area, especially to visit Irazú. To slow down, stay a night or two in the countryside instead.
Getting here
By bus
Buses leave San José about every 10 minutes from 5 am to midnight and take about 45 minutes. It costs under $5. Get there early or you may end up standing.
By car
About an hour from the airport through hectic San José traffic. Get used to driving in Costa Rica first, and rent at least an SUV for the mountains.
By taxi
About $70 from the airport in an official taxi (red or orange with a yellow or green triangle on the doors).
Getting there
Getting to Cartago
Driving
The drive from the airport takes about an hour, and San José traffic can be rather hectic. We suggest getting used to driving in Costa Rica a bit before you do this route.
You’ll really want a car out here, since the best things to do are in the mountains. Adobe can deliver your car for free within about 12 miles of their office.
For more info:
Rental car
Rent at least an SUV with decent clearance for the mountain roads. Adobe gives our readers 10% off, a free second driver and 0% deductible on liability protection.
Shuttles
For shuttles to the rest of the country, use Bookaway with code SARAHMC5 for 5% off.
Where it is
Cartago is in the Central Valley, a short drive east of San José, with Irazú Volcano just above the city and the Orosi Valley to the southeast.
Good to know: English speakers can be scarce here, so download the free Google Translate app.
Weather
Cartago weather and best time to visit
Temperature and rain by month
Swipe to see all months →
Average daytime highs and rainfall in Cartago. Bars show relative rainfall. Sunrise and sunset are for the 15th of each month.
Dry season (late Dec: Apr)
Cooler temperatures, wind and no rain, and the landscape turns brown.
Green season (May: Dec)
May to mid-August brings daily afternoon thunderstorms, but it’s our favorite time to visit because everything is so green and pretty. From mid-August to mid-December there’s more rain and more gray days.
In the mountains
Cool all year
Sunrise / Sunset
about 5:30 AM / about 5:30 PM
Wettest months
Mid-Aug to mid-Dec
Our tip
Our tip: Visit between May and mid-August for the greenest views, and go to Irazú early in the day.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Cartago
La Casona del Cafetal
High-end · Coffee farm · Spa
On a coffee farm, with a spa, a wellness center and a restaurant. You can go horseback riding, cycling and fishing.
Hotel Quelitales
High-end · Bungalows · Nature
Amazing bungalows with nature views and a restaurant. Great for bird watching, fishing and hiking.
Grandpa’s Hotel
Mid-range · Cabins · Views
Cute cabins outside downtown with stunning views, a great restaurant and helpful staff.
Bella Vista Ranch Ecolodge
Mid-range · Turrialba · Pool
Near Turrialba, with amazing views and a pool.
Also worth considering: Finca Agropecuaria farm stay in Orosi (family-run; you’ll feel right at home), Villa Valle Bello in Ujarrás (breakfast included, but the roads are a bit crazy, so rent a 4×4) and Casa Irazú (budget, near downtown, shared bathroom).
For more options, we suggest VRBO. Browse Cartago rentals on VRBO →
Staying in the Orosi Valley? See our Orosi guide →
Good to know
Altitude
Irazú and Prusia Forest are high up, so take it slow on hikes.
Our tip: Bring something with electrolytes, like Gatorade, and a warm layer for the top.
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Things to do
Things to do in Cartago
Volcano
Irazú Volcano
Irazú is the perfect place to see a volcano up close and personal, with views right into the crater. Nearby Turrialba Volcano can also be hiked, with a guide.
Good to know
It’s very high up, so take it slow and bring layers. Go early for the best chance of clear views.
Don’t miss
Basilica de los Ángeles
The most important church in Costa Rica. Every year around August 2, people walk here from all over the country for La Romería, a huge pilgrimage, and many make the final approach to the basilica on their knees. It’s a really unique thing to see.
Also downtown
The ruins of the Santiago Apóstol church. Every time they tried to finish it, an earthquake destroyed it. Now it’s a nice public park.
Hike Prusia Forest
A unique pine forest near Irazú with miles of trails, for just a few dollars per person. It’s high up, so go slow.
Sanatorio Durán
An abandoned mental hospital you can see on the drive to Irazú. It’s a few dollars per car and a bit creepy in spots (especially the children’s building). We love bringing a picnic lunch.
Orosi Valley
A cute town with foggy green hills, coffee plantations, an old church, a long swinging bridge and Tapantí National Park nearby.
Lankester Botanical Garden
Run by the University of Costa Rica and the perfect place to relax among plants. Don’t miss the Japanese garden and the orchid collection.
White water rafting
Pacuare River tours start in Cartago, with one-day or multi-day trips for all skill levels.
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Where to eat
Where to eat in Cartago
La Hidalgue
Costa Rican · Downtown
A delicious traditional Costa Rican restaurant in downtown Cartago.
El Novillo Alegre
Steak · Downtown
A good place for meat. We always get a steak here.
Basilico Pizzeria
Wood-fired pizza · $
Amazing wood-fired pizza in downtown Cartago.
Catch your lunch
Trout fishing · About $10
At a trucha, you catch a trout from a small stocked pond and the restaurant cooks it for you, with rice, beans, plantains and salad. A unique thing most tourists never get to do.
Practical stuff
Good to know before you go
Good to know
Packing for Cartago
Layers
Cartago can be cool in the mountains. Bring layers and a windbreaker.
Rain jacket
A must in the rainy season.
Money belt
Downtown, use a money belt or an anti-theft backpack.
Travel insurance
Always a good idea. It’s not just for injury, but for theft, trip interruptions, and lost luggage. We use Heymondo.
Good to know
Safety
Generally Cartago is safe. Don’t carry large amounts of cash or walk around at night, and ask your hotel if an area is safe before exploring.
Getting around
Getting around Cartago
A rental car is essential for exploring the area. Rent at least an SUV with decent clearance for the mountain roads.
Rental car
Best for Irazú, Prusia, Orosi and the countryside. Adobe gives our readers 10% off.
Buses
Buses connect Cartago and San José about every 10 minutes, but you’ll need a car or a tour for Irazú and the countryside.
FAQ
Cartago FAQ: your questions
Is Cartago, Costa Rica safe?
Generally yes. Don’t carry large amounts of cash or walk around at night, and ask your hotel if an area is safe before venturing out.
What is Cartago known for?
The Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, where people from all over Costa Rica make a pilgrimage every year. The area is also known for coffee farms and volcanoes.
Is Cartago worth visiting?
Yes, as a day trip or a quiet night or two. Downtown is hectic, but Irazú Volcano, the Basilica, Prusia Forest and the Orosi Valley are well worth it.
How do I get from San José to Cartago?
Buses leave about every 10 minutes and take about 45 minutes (under $5). By car it’s about an hour from the airport, and a taxi from the airport costs about $70.
Can you visit Turrialba Volcano?
No. Turrialba Volcano is closed to visitors indefinitely because of continuous eruptions. Irazú is the volcano to visit here.
When is the best time to visit Cartago?
The dry season (late December to April) has no rain. Our favorite time is May to mid-August, when everything is green, with afternoon showers.
What is La Romería?
The yearly pilgrimage to the Basilica de los Ángeles around August 2, when people walk to Cartago from all over Costa Rica.
Do I need a car in Cartago?
For the volcano and the countryside, yes. Rent at least an SUV with decent clearance.
What is La Romería in Cartago?
La Romería is a yearly pilgrimage to the Basilica de los Ángeles around August 2. People walk to Cartago from all over Costa Rica, and many make the final approach to the basilica on their knees.
Every guide
All our Cartago guides
Keep exploring
More towns in Central Valley
Planning more of the region? See our full Central Valley guide.
Can you recommend day trips for 1, 85 year old man and 2, 70+ women. We are not much for hiking, tho a nice slow walk is ok. We love people and music. I was interested in the Jaguar rescue you mentioned in one of your blogs. We just like to have fun and want to enjoy as much of Costa Rica as we can in our 1 week stay.
Hi Carole, I’m happy to help you out! Will you be staying in Cartago? Or where will you be for your one week?