About: This is a popular birding destination as it nearly guarantees daily sightings of the Resplendent Quetzal from October to January when it feeds on their local Aguacatillo trees. They also have bird feeders where you can watch the Quetzal and many other beautiful birds like finches, tanagers, hummingbirds, and woodpeckers. They have a restaurant…
Author: Ultimate Guide
Mi Refugio Hortensias y Eucaliptos
About: This is a beautifully curated garden with trails that connect different spaces with detailed decorations and photo opportunities. Their main attraction is their large quantity of exquisite hydrangeas. There is a pond as well as a restaurant. Province: Cartago Starting from: Downtown Cartago Time to reach from starting location: 52 minutes Time needed for…
Lauraceas Garden
About: This botanical garden is located inside a hotel and offers a trail among flora and fauna including hummingbirds. It reaches a viewpoint. They offer day passes as well as overnight lodging. There is also a restaurant. Province: Cartago Starting from: Downtown Cartago Time to reach from starting location: 1 hour 33 minutes Time needed…
Lankester Botanical Gardens
About: This is a very large and well-developed botanical garden in the suburbs of Downtown Cartago. They boast a wide variety of flora, divided into several sections including a Japanese garden, a cactus garden, a zen garden, and an orchid greenhouse, as well as many native plants like bromeliads. Pets are allowed. There is a…
CATIE Botanical Garden
About: This botanical garden is located on the campus of a post-grad academic and research institution that focuses on sustainable agriculture. You can partake in a self-guided walking tour and wander the extensive trails and observe a wide variety of flora as well as fauna. There is a small lake. They also offer night tours…
Batsu Garden
About: This place specializes in birdwatching and bird photography. There are short trails, as well as platforms with feeders to attract birds. They also offer private guided tours to provide assistance in spotting birds and capturing photos. There is also a restaurant. Province: Cartago Starting from: Downtown Cartago Time to reach from starting location: 1…
Downtown Cartago Waterfalls
Options for waterfalls in Downtown Cartago:
Las Trillizas Waterfall
About: As the name implies, there are 3 waterfalls reached by a short but steep trail with a lot of steps. You can swim in the pools. There is also a separate trail to Catarata La Muralla from the same property, for a separate fee. There is a restaurant and showers. Province: Cartago Starting from:…
Cataratas Gruta la Bohemia
About: This is a place with about 4 kilometers of hiking trails to see 3 waterfalls. It is designed to look like The Shire from The Lord of the Rings. There are “hobbit houses” which you can stay in overnight or just walk around to look at and take pictures. There is a restaurant, picnic…
Catarata Rio Savegre
About: There is a trail that follows the Savegre River and leads to this waterfall as well as a second waterfall further down the trail. The trail to the first waterfall is better maintained as it is more transited. After the first waterfall the trail gets less maintained and not well-marked. You can swim in…