Cartago - Turrialba

Whether your tastes veer more towards rafting down the Pacuare River and losing yourself midst the towering canyons or embarking on a tourist or religious trek to Costa Rica's own Mecca, Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles, Cartago and Turrialba are sure to raise your spirits. 

National Geographic Magazine calls the Pacuare River one of the top ten whitewater rafting excursion in the world. Others place it in the top five. No matter how you slice it, the class III/IV waters of this region are not to be missed by nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Although Turrialba is best known for its world-class rapids, the opportunities to submerge yourself in nature are limitless. In addition to the Pacuare River, other natural wonders include Turrialba Volcano, with its fumaroles and sulfur pits. Costa Rica's highest Volcano, Irazu, is also nearby. 

Cartago offers a different type of excitement. This quaint Costa Rican city is home to Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles. According to folklore, the Basilica's statue of La Negrita, also known as the Black Madonna, has amazing healing powers. People from around the world still visit La Negrita hoping to be cured. Every year on August 2, the Virgin of the Angels Feast is celebrated with long processions and celebrations at the Cathedral. 

The Cartago/Turrialba region is a great destination for ecotourism and green travelers. Most of the accommodations in the area are ecolodges concerned with not only minding their carbon footprint but contributing to the communities with which they coexist. Contact our Costa Rica travel experts to find out how you can visit and/or volunteer with one or more of these communities.