History
and heritage

How to use this guide

This selection is for exploring the past of the Central Valley, from the pre-Columbian settlement at Guayabo to the colonial churches, in one or two outings. The places fall into three spots. In central Cartago, the Santiago Apóstol church ruins (Cartago) and the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles can be visited on foot. By Lake Cachí and in Orosi are the Ujarrás church ruins and the Orosi colonial church and museum, a Franciscan church from the mid 18th century that is still in use. Guayabo National Monument stands apart, about 19 km north of Turrialba.

One day covers Cartago, Ujarrás and Orosi. Start at the Santiago Apóstol ruins, which you can see from outside even when the inner garden is closed, and carry on to the Basilica, east of the ruins. Then go to Ujarrás, open from 9:00 to 15:00, and finish in Orosi, facing the square. Guayabo needs another day or a long morning: the visit with community guides takes about 1 h 30 min, and the site opens every day from 8:00 to 15:30, holidays included.

On a tight budget, nearly everything is free: the Cartago and Ujarrás ruins charge nothing, the Orosi museum has no fixed fee and Guayabo costs $5.65. Short of time, keep to Cartago, where the ruins and the Basilica are close together. The Grecia metal church, built from steel plates prefabricated in Belgium, is in Alajuela and only fits if you are already passing through Grecia.

Tips

• Avoid 2 August if you want calm: it is a national holiday and more than two million people walk to the Basilica on the pilgrimage.
• Behind the Basilica there is a spring; if you want to take some water, bring a container, as the faithful do.
• Ujarrás has limited capacity: arrive well before it closes at 15:00.
• The churches in Orosi and Grecia are still in use: respect mass times.
• Heavy rain can close Guayabo: in 2026 it closed from 17 to 26 August.