Cartago Province stitches together Costa Rica’s old soul and wild heart. Once the colonial capital, Cartago is home to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, a national pilgrimage site, while the highlands hide Irazú Volcano’s lunar crater, misty forests, and the Orosi Valley’s emerald quilt of coffee and rivers.

To the east, Turrialba is a gateway to pre-Columbian history at Guayabo National Monument and the thundering Pacuare River—one of the world’s best whitewater runs. CATIE’s botanical collections reveal Central America’s agricultural diversity, and nearby villages make the famous, mild Turrialba cheese.

Expect cool mornings at altitude and warm afternoons in the valleys. Pack layers, rain gear, and sturdy shoes; book national park entries in advance when required; carry some colones for markets; and save space for coffee beans. Cuisine highlights include casados, chorreadas, chifrijo, fresh trout, and tres leches—best enjoyed after a day on volcano trails or the river.

Cartago

Cartago blends sacred tradition with high-altitude adventure. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels draws pilgrims each August 2, while Irazú’s summit often floats above a sea of clouds. Down in the Orosi Valley, colonial ruins, hot springs, and viewpoints frame a countryside of coffee and citrus.

• Top sights: Irazú Volcano National Park (Main and Prusia sectors), Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, Ruins of Ujarrás, Mirador de Orosi, Cachi Dam, Tapantí National Park.
• Good to know: Mornings are clearest at Irazú; bring a jacket and sunscreen. Many parks use timed entries—reserve the day before when possible.
• Where to eat: La Casona del Cafetal (lakeside Costa Rican plates and pastries near Lake Cachi), Orosi Lodge Café (excellent coffee, homemade cakes, light fare), Los Chespiritos #1 in Taras (classic roadside tico fare with valley views).

Stay in Cartago/Orosi: Browse valley-view cabins, family homes, and small hotels on VRBO Cartago or compare boutique stays and spa hotels on Hotels.com Cartago.

Getting in: Fly into San José (SJO) and transfer 45–75 minutes to Cartago. Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Public buses from San José to Cartago run frequently (~45–60 min; ~$2), taxis/ride-hail ~$35–60 depending on traffic.

Day 1 — Arrival, Basilica, and a Taste of the Valle Central

Afternoon: Land at SJO and transfer to Cartago (45–75 min). Check in, then stroll the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, admiring the carved cedar interior and the legendary La Negrita statue. Walk the plaza and peek into the Ruins of Santiago Apóstol, a romantic shell of a church surrounded by manicured gardens.

Evening: For a scenic first meal, grab a window table at Los Chespiritos #1 in Taras; try chifrijo, chorreadas (corn pancakes), and fresh fruit batidos while the valley lights flicker on. Craving a deeper dive into Costa Rican flavors? If you’re staying near San José tonight, consider this guided tasting walk:

San Jose City Tour Food Tasting - Coffee and Chocolate

It’s a fun, informative evening walk through markets and cafes—perfect if your flight arrives early and you want a lively first night in the capital before moving to Cartago.

Day 2 — Irazú Volcano and Orosi Valley Hot Springs

Morning: Depart by 6:30–7:00 a.m. for Irazú Volcano National Park (60–75 min). At 3,400 m (11,155 ft), the main crater’s ash-gray bowl and turquoise pools look otherworldly when the morning clouds part. Walk the short trails; pack layers—winds can be chilly.

Afternoon: Descend into the warmth of the Orosi Valley. Lunch at La Casona del Cafetal, a beloved lakeside restaurant near the Cachi Dam—order trout al ajillo or the house casado and finish with tres leches. Stop at the Mirador de Orosi for a panoramic photo of the valley’s patchwork of coffee and farms.

Evening: Soak in mineral-rich pools at Hacienda Orosi Hot Springs (reservations recommended). Their hillside tubs have volcano views, and the onsite restaurant serves hearty Costa Rican plates and fresh juices—the perfect post-volcano unwind.

Day 3 — Poás Volcano, Waterfalls, and Coffee (Full-Day Tour)

Rise early and take a 45–60 minute taxi or ride-hail to San José for pick-up (confirm the exact point with your operator). This day trip combines a rare crater view with lush waterfalls and a coffee experience:

Full Day Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Coffee Plantation Experience

See one of the few crater lakes on Earth with road access, walk to cascades at La Paz (butterflies, hummingbirds, jungle cats enclosures), and learn how high-elevation coffee is grown, processed, and brewed—with tastings. Return to Cartago in the evening for a quiet dinner at Orosi Lodge Café (soups, sandwiches, cakes) or a light snack at the central market.

Day 4 — Tapantí National Park and Valley Heritage

Morning: Head 35–45 minutes to Tapantí–Macizo de la Muerte National Park. Trails like Oropendola and Arboles Caídos traverse mossy cloud forest along crystalline rivers; watch for quetzals in the dry season and tanagers year-round. Bring a rain jacket and pack a picnic.

Afternoon: Visit the atmospheric Ruins of Ujarrás, remains of a 17th-century adobe church, then pop into the Cachi Dam overlook. Coffee lovers can pre-book a small-farm visit in the valley (look for organic micro-mills; tours often include tastings and a walk through shade-grown plots).

Evening: Back in Cartago, indulge in comfort classics—olla de carne (beef stew) or arroz con pollo—at La Casona del Cafetal if you didn’t on Day 2, or grab empanadas and batidos from a local soda before packing for tomorrow’s move.

Turrialba

Turrialba is where history, agriculture, and adrenaline meet. The Pacuare River carves deep canyons ideal for rafting; the Guayabo National Monument reveals ancient aqueducts and causeways; and CATIE’s gardens showcase cacao, coffee, bamboo, and rare fruit trees.

• Top sights: Pacuare River (rafting), Guayabo National Monument, CATIE Botanical Garden, Turrialba cheese dairies, viewpoints toward the Turrialba Volcano (access varies with conditions).
• Where to eat: Turrialtico Lodge & Restaurant (sunset valley views; Costa Rican and grilled dishes), Casa Turire Restaurant (elegant farm-to-table near Angostura Lake), cafes inside CATIE for fresh juices and coffee.
• Fun fact: Queso Turrialba, a mild, fresh cow’s-milk cheese, is a staple at country sodas—try it grilled with tortillas and natilla (sour cream).

Stay in Turrialba: Find river-lodge cabins and countryside homes on VRBO Turrialba or compare hotels—from rustic-chic lodges to hacienda stays—on Hotels.com Turrialba.

Getting there from Cartago: Morning transfer 1.5–2 hours by car; allow ~2–2.5 hours by public bus (departures from Cartago/Paraíso toward Turrialba). No flights or trains needed; if you still need to arrange international flights, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 5 — Transfer to Turrialba, CATIE Gardens, and Sunset Over the Valley

Morning: Depart Cartago after breakfast; the drive winds through farms and small towns. Check into your lodge and drop bags.

Afternoon: Explore the CATIE Botanical Garden—a living library of cacao, coffee, palms, bamboo, and tropical fruits. Guided walks explain the institute’s role in sustainable agriculture; sample fresh cacao pulp if in season. Grab a smoothie or a coffee at the garden café.

Evening: Dine at Turrialtico Lodge & Restaurant, perched above the valley. Order the palm-heart salad, a grilled tilapia or lomito, and a local craft beer while the sky goes pink. For a sweet finish, try cajeta (milk fudge) or flan.

Day 6 — Pacuare River Rafting Day

All day: Turrialba is Costa Rica’s classic base for Pacuare River rafting—think turquoise canyon pools, Class III–IV rapids, and hanging waterfalls. Choose a reputable outfitter (e.g., long-established local companies in town) for helmet, PFD, bilingual guides, and a riverside lunch. Expect hotel pick-up ~6:00–6:30 a.m., 1–1.5 hours to the put-in, 4–5 hours on the water, and return by late afternoon. Typical prices run ~$95–130 per person depending on season and inclusions.

Evening: Celebrate with a refined dinner at Casa Turire Restaurant beside Angostura Lake—farm-fresh salads, heart-of-palm risotto, or slow-cooked pork, paired with tropical cocktails. Stroll the grounds to spot herons and listen for frogs.

Day 7 — Guayabo National Monument and Departure

Morning: Drive 45–60 minutes to Guayabo National Monument, Costa Rica’s most important pre-Columbian site. Hire a local guide at the entrance to decode petroglyphs, cobbled causeways, and a still-functioning hydraulic system that channeled mountain water to the city centuries ago. Cool, misty mornings are atmospheric for photography.

Afternoon: Early lunch at your lodge or a countryside soda—try a casado with grilled Turrialba cheese—then depart for SJO (approx. 2.5–3 hours depending on traffic). Aim to reach the airport at least 3 hours before an international flight. If you need to tweak flights, check Kiwi.com or Trip.com flights for same-day options if needed.

Extra ideas if you add a day

• Prusia Forest (Irazú, alternate day): Pine and native trails in the park’s Prusia sector with photogenic fog and tree-lined paths.
• Aquiares Coffee Estate (near Turrialba): Join a farm-to-cup tour through one of Costa Rica’s historic coffee communities; end with cupping and valley views.

Dining cheat sheet (save for quick reference):

• Breakfast/coffee: Orosi Lodge Café (espresso, cakes, hearty toasts), small sodas around Cartago’s Mercado Central (gallo pinto, chorreadas), CATIE café (smoothies, fruit bowls).
• Lunch: La Casona del Cafetal (classic tico plates by Lake Cachi), market sodas in Cartago (try olla de carne), countryside sodas en route to Guayabo (grilled Turrialba cheese).
• Dinner: Los Chespiritos #1 (view + comfort fare), Turrialtico Restaurant (sunset dining), Casa Turire Restaurant (farm-to-table near the lake).

Practical tips: Bring a light down or fleece for Irazú; rain jacket year-round; sturdy shoes for Guayabo and Tapantí; waterproof bag for rafting. ATMs are common in Cartago and Turrialba; cards widely accepted at hotels and tour offices, but carry small bills for tolls, buses, and markets. National park foreigner entry fees are typically ~$10–15; book timed slots online when applicable.

Optional add-on from San José

If you plan a night in San José before or after this itinerary, consider a Pacific-island escape or a volcano-to-hot-springs day from the capital:

• Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch

From crater rims to rainforest rivers, this 7-day Cartago Province itinerary balances culture, nature, and adventure. You’ll come home with coffee-scented memories, volcanic panoramas, and the roar of the Pacuare still in your ears—proof that Costa Rica’s Central Valley and Caribbean slope reward those who linger.