The Ruins of Cartago (Ruinas de Cartago) are one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful and significant historical treasures and make a wonderful addition to any adventure vacation itinerary.
Costa Rica entices with a myriad of outdoor adventures and it’s certainly revered as a natural playground. Yet many visitors forget that this is a country steeped in amazing history, both pre and post colonialism. The Ruins of Cartago are not only easy to visit for anyone flying into San Jose but are actually worth a detour, even if you’re flying into Liberia but planning to tour the Central Valley (which you really should do).
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We chose two locations: La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio
These are the activities we chose and enjoyed!
La Fortuna - Nature Safari Float, Hanging Bridges and Canopy Zipline Tour, Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall, Coffee and Chocolate Tour
Manuel Antonio - Manuel Antonio Nat. Park Private Guided Tour, Half-day Sport Fishing, Manuel Antonio Beach, ATV tour
The two hotels that they selected for us were just wonderful! Beautiful landscaping, nice rooms, excellent restaurants.
La Fortuna - Hotel Los Lagos
Manuel Antonio - Hotel Costa Verde
I was a little concerned that we might get a LOT of rain, since it was in the rainy season. We had some rain, but it didn't hinder the fun that we had!
Lots of beautiful memories of a great family time!
Thank you Costa Rica Rios!
Second time’s a charm — and somehow even better!
I just wrapped up my second adventure with Costa Rica Rios and I can’t say enough good things. Henry (aka Ninja) and Michael, along with the entire crew, are the absolute best at what they do. From the moment you arrive, you feel like family — they handle every detail with so much care, humor, and local wisdom.
Every day was packed with jaw-dropping adventures: river rafting, kayaking, zip lining, waterfall rappelling — you name it. They balance safety and adrenaline so perfectly that even when you’re pushing your limits, you feel completely looked after.
This trip is off-the-grid magic. Great food, stunning scenery, and a team that loves what they do and makes you love every second too. If you’re thinking about booking — do it! I came back for my second year in a row, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Pura Vida forever!
Week of Adventures was amazing. Fun River paddles, hiking , zip lining and rappelling waterfalls. Great guides on the water and land.
Wonderful country and people 💖
The accommodations were lovely, the activities and guides were all excellent and having the transportation pre-arranged was a huge convenience. Everyone was on time to the minute.
Particularly nice was that all activities (and even transportation) were private -- just me, my wife and the guide or driver. I wasn't expecting that, especially on a whitewater rafting trip! That made the activities feel more personal and special.
The site is atmospheric to the max and, when drenched in beautiful sunlight, makes for gorgeous photography. Get there early in the morning, or an hour before sunset, and you’ll know what we mean.
The site of the Ruins of Cartago is one of the most delightful places to visit in Costa Rica. Once you learn the history, you’ll also understand that this spot encapsulates the ying-yang relationship the country has always had with its spellbinding but at times very destructive volcanic origins.
The History of the Ruins of Cartago
The site of the Ruins of Cartago was home to several churches, the oldest of which was built in the mid-16th century. The original church was destroyed by an earthquake in 1630 and this particular natural disaster would continue to plague the location for centuries. The first church to be consecrated (in 1662) suffered through three devastating earthquakes and each time it was lovingly rebuilt. The final earthquake blow occurred in the 1841 and the new church, damaged beyond repair, was left to its demise for almost three decades.
Resilient parishioners and local authorities alike began the next (and what would become final) attempt to rebuilt the church in the early 1900s but the rebuilding project was permanently cancelled after the infamous Santa Monica earthquake that happened on the 4th of May 1910.
The 1910 Santa Monica earthquake has gone down in history as the most catastrophic in Costa Rica’s history. It almost completely levelled the town of Cartago. Over the following decades, the source of the devastation was pinpointed to the Aguacaliente Fault, located just a few miles south of the now-rebuilt town.
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The earthquake brought devastation to Costa Rica’s Central Valley and the rebuilding of the Santiago Apostol Parish Church in Cartago was one ill-fated project that was shelved for good. Many locals, by then, believed the ruins to be cursed and haunted so they left well enough alone.
The Ruins of Cartago are not ‘ruins’ in the strictest technical terms but rather the remnants of a historical building that was never actually completed. Having taken on a life and story all its own, the ruins are testament to the resilience of Costa Rica when faced with natural adversity.
Also, perhaps, the wisdom to know when to quit.
What and where? Visiting the Ruins of Cartago
The ruins of the Santiago Apostol Parish Church in Cartago are a cultural heritage site located just half an hour’s drive southeast of the capital, San Jose.
The ruins are set in what is now the absolute center of Cartago Town, left as a reminder of the struggles and all the hard work to protect it, albeit unsuccessfully. Beautiful gardens thrive within its perimeter with a walking path, several benches, beautiful plants, flowers and ponds creating an incredibly relaxing vibe. Locals adore this place and, in many ways, you may find it even more ethereal and contemplative than if it were a fully-completed church.
Cartago Town – worth a longer visit
Cartago was once Costa Rica’s capital and it is still the country’s oldest town. Given the earthquake risks, however, as well as the results of several military battles, capital status was moved to San Jose in 1835. Cartago was left to evolve into a laid-back provincial capital – one with just a few glimpses of its very illustrious past.
Nevertheless, it is a gorgeous town to visit for a few hours. Highlights include not only the Ruins of Cartago but also the partially-destroyed and now heritage-listed cemetery, the neo-Gothic architectural gem that is the Church of Maria Auxiliadora and the historic Pririe Building, an amazing French-neoclassical treasure that was left miraculously unscathed by the 1910 earthquake.
Just a few blocks away from the church ruins stands the imposing Cartago Basilica, one of Costa Rica’s most revered religious buildings, home to the famous Shrine to La Negrita, or the Black Madonna. The basilica was also destroyed by (yes, you guessed it) earthquakes but it was eventually completed in 1930.
Cartago is full of wonderful sculptures, statues and buildings that showcase varying architectural styles. Luckily, the town is also home to some seriously good eateries so extending your visit and staying for lunch is always a great idea.
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Among the best-rated restaurants and cafés, you’ll find Bocadito del Cielo (a little bite of heaven!), La Fonda del Alto (both food and views to die for!) and Il Giardino, no-doubt makers of the best wood-fired pizzas in town.
What else can you do when visiting the Ruins of Cartago?
It’s possible to include a visit to Cartago on a day-long adventure hiking in the Irazu Volcano National Park and many people do just that although many tend to just stop in town for a swift photo op of the ruins. In our view, the ruins and Cartago Town itself deserve a dedicated half-day visit of their own accord.
The Ruins of Cartago are also on the way to Turrialba and our Pacuare River whitewater adventures. Although we often suggest a stop-over for many of our guests, it’s always lovely when they’re the ones to mention we stop! It’s a lovely way to inject some history and culture into our nature-based adventures and a visit to Cartago is doable both pre or post adventure tour.
If you have yet to hear about Turrialba, all you need to know is that this is the true adventure capital of Costa Rica. A place where world-class whitewater rafting and kayaking can be enjoyed away from the biggest crowds over on the western side of the country.
Well-known among serious adventurers and thrill-seekers, Turrialba is an astonishing playground for active visitors. Here, you’ll find options for zip-lining, mountain biking, horseback riding and AWD adventuring as well. The region is awash with amazing artisan produce like cheese and coffee and makes for a sensational off-the-beaten-path travel experience.
Discover more of Turrialba before planning your itinerary.
And, when you’re ready to shake off those travel-cobwebs and have the adventure of a lifetime in Costa Rica, we’ll be right here.
Contact us to know more.
One of Costa Rica’s most underrated travel destinations, Turrialba is a sensational spot for an adrenaline-filled adventure vacation destination. Nestled in the province of Cartago in the country’s central highlands and traversed by two spectacular rivers – the Reventazon and the Pacuare – Turrialba is the country’s #1 hub for white-water rafting expeditions. It is from here that we run some of our most sensational and popular 
Thanks to its incredibly fertile soil, the region around Turrialba is heavily reliant on its agricultural roots and here you’ll find some of Costa Rica’s best artisan cheese, coffee, nuts and fresh produce, much of it which feeds the rest of the country. The rural landscapes are picturesque and the towns here are quaint, with impressive archaeological sights offering alternatives on ‘rest’ days. Even if you’re not an adrenalin-junkie, we bet you’ll love Turrialba and its abundance of soft adventure options like foodie tours, leisurely horseback rides in the countryside and gentle hikes.
Heading east, you’ll come across the Orosi Valley, a place so beautiful you’ll want to plan for an overnight stay. The small town of Orosi boasts the oldest church in the country yet aside from the architectural delights, you’ll find the valley to be a spectacular visual feast. Plenty of viewpoints along the road offer 1001 reasons to stop and snap a photo. You’ll find quite a few hotels here to stretch your road trip an extra night.
