Cartago and Turrialba Hotels in Costa Rica

Cartago & Turrialba Hotels and Attractions

Cartago, nestled in Costa Rica’s eastern Central Valley, boasts a unique blend of history and nature. Once the nation’s colonial capital, a 1910 earthquake reshaped the city, leaving behind few pre-colonial structures. Nevertheless, Cartago remains a cultural center. La Basilica, a magnificent church, draws over a million pilgrims annually on August 1st. Beyond its historical significance, Cartago offers stunning natural beauty. Towering over the city is Irazú, a dormant volcano reaching 11,000 feet. Nature enthusiasts can explore Lankester Gardens, a haven for Costa Rica’s diverse plant life, including over 1400 orchid species. A visit to Cartago promises a journey through time, faith, and the wonders of the natural world.

Steeped in history and surrounded by stunning natural beauty, Turrialba is a charming town less than an hour away from Cartago. This region boasts a rich indigenous heritage, and the Guayabo National Monument is a must-see for exploring this fascinating past. Beyond its historical significance, Turrialba thrives today with lush haciendas and productive farms. Coffee, cacao, sugarcane, peach palm, and local cheeses flourish in this fertile region. Birdwatchers flock to Turrialba for its incredible biodiversity. Renowned sites like Rancho Naturalista and El Copal are considered some of the best birding hotspots in Costa Rica.

Best Things to Do in Cartago & Turrialba

Irazú Volcano National Park

The Irazú Volcano National Park has several craters, two of which are the principal attractions. The larger crater is 275-meters deep with a blue/green lake, providing visitors an amazing sight. At the 3,432-meter summit of Irazú, the landscape flourishes with paramo like vegetation comprised of small flowering shrubs and dwarf trees. Nearby, an immaculate montane oak forest dominates the landscape. Several animals like coatis are seen on occasion, and regularly you will find birds like the volcano junco and the volcano hummingbird—one of the smallest bird species in Costa Rica!

Tapanti National Park

Tapanti is located near the northern slopes of the Cordillera Talamanca Mountains, and probably boasts more rain and cloud cover than any other region in the country. The sound of running water is constant in this mystic forest with rich vegetation including tree ferns, orchids, wild gingers, bromeliads, mosses, and multicolored lichens. This is a great area for bird watching tours and finding birds such as black-faced solitaries, black guans, flocks of tanagers, woodcreepers, foliage gleaners, and honeycreepers that forage in the epiphytic substrates that cover basically every tree and branch in this unique habitat.

Guayabo National Monument

Guayabo National Monument, located at the foothills of Turrialba Volcano, protects Costa Rica´s most important archaeological site—the remains of an ancient city. The trails in the park lead through a lush rainforest where walkers can explore different points of interest including stone bridges, stone roads, petroglyphs and tombs, aqueducts, and water storage tanks that still work today. It is believed that Guayabo was founded about 1000 BC and was abandoned in 1400 AD, a century before the Spanish arrived, for reasons that remain a mystery.

Immerse yourself in the best Turrialba Hotel; at Casa Turire Hotel, you will be ideally located near exciting local attractions!

CATIE

Catie is one of the world’s foremost tropical agricultural research centers. The facility measures almost 2,500 acres and houses beautiful botanical gardens, an extensive library, and some of the best agricultural research centers in the region.

Nortico Cacao Farm

A family project located in Turrialba, Costa Rica. Since buying the farm in 2016, this couple has gradually transformed once-deforested pasture lands into a lush and tropical cacao forest. Nortico Cacao Farm is a working farm, where cultivation of Cacao Fino de Aroma is the primary activity. The name Nortico blends the owners’ heritages: ‘Nor’ for Norway and ‘Tico,’ an idiomatic term used for a native of Costa Rica. They practice organic and sustainable farming methods, ensuring a healthy environment for future generations.

Pacuare River class III-IV

Unleash your inner adventurer with an exciting whitewater rafting tour on the Pacuare River! Navigate exciting Class III-IV rapids through lush rainforests and past hidden waterfalls on one of the world’s most exotic and scenic rivers. Suitable for thrill-seekers, the Pacuare promises a heart-pounding ride through Costa Rica’s breathtaking wilderness.

Pacuare Lodge is the most famous and luxurious river lodge on the Pacuare River and one of the best Turrialba hotels.

El Camino de Costa Rica

Escape the ordinary on El Camino Trekking Tour de Costa Rica! This 10-day trek connects the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans, immersing you in Costa Rica’s breathtaking mountains. Hike moderate to challenging trails, crisscrossing rainforests, coffee plantations, and hidden valleys. Local guides lead the way, while cultural exchange unfolds through daily interactions and comfortable lodgings in rural communities. Celebrate Costa Rica’s rich diversity with every step – this is an adventure unlike any other!

Wildlife Observation in Cartago & Turrialba

Rancho Naturalista

Birdwatchers paradise awaits at Rancho Naturalista! Explore an expansive private reserve teeming with over 450 bird species. Guided tours and independent exploration in a well-maintained trail system will let you discover this avian oasis at your own pace. Capture stunning photos and immerse yourself in Costa Rica’s natural beauty.

Rancho Naturalista is the most famous Turrialba Hotel for birding and well-known for excellent cuisine!

El Copal

Nestled near Costa Rica’s Tapantí National Park, El Copal Wildlife Refuge protects 200 hectares of rainforest teeming with over 450 bird species. Founded in 1986, this special place safeguards the rainforest from encroaching farms. Birdwatchers flock here to see famous birds like the Snowcap and the Rufous-tailed Jacamar. Keep your eyes peeled for mammals too, with a chance to spot pumas, tapirs, and howler monkeys. After your wildlife adventure, refuel at La Cotinga’s restaurant, savoring traditional Costa Rican cuisine.

How to Get to Cartago & Turrialba

Visit Cartago & Turrialba with Costa Rica Sun Tours

Costa Rica’s highest mountain range awaits. Experience world-class rafting, thrilling volcano hikes and verdant valleys, and incredible birdwatching tours. Savor a delicious home-cooked lunch and immerse yourself in Costa Rica’s rich agricultural heritage. We’ll craft the perfect itinerary for an unforgettable Costa Rican adventure. Contact us today!