Sights to see in Cartago

This place is a must see if you're spending time in Costa Rica. The easy access from different towns via public transportation is very affordable and worth your time and money!  There are several different ways to reach this park, the main one being taking a bus from San Jose (the city of Cartago sits at the base of the volcano in the valley so if you are closer to there than San Jose, you can ...

Poás Volcano was last active briefly in 2014, but most notably in 2009. It's one of the most active volcanos in Costa Rica. The main crater, Laguna Caliente, supports almost no aquatic life due to the incredibly high acidity.There's a $10 entry fee into the park per person. About a quarter mile away from the parking lot lies the active Poás Volcano at 8800 feet above sea level. If you arrive be...

It's 4:55 a.m. and the wind is whipping, temperatures hover below freezing, and the sun is just starting to make an appearance on the horizon, above a thick blanket of clouds covering surrounding peaks. This is Cerro Chirripó, the tallest mountain in Costa Rica, and a far cry from the beaches that line the coast of the beautiful country.The hike to Chirripó is a 12 miles/20km steep, well-marked...

Catarata del Toro is located in the small town of Bajos del Toro. This waterfall is located on a private reserve in the rain forest that includes nature trails, a hummingbird garden, a restaurant, restrooms, and more. There is a $10 (5000 colones) entrance fee. The beginning of the trail is fairly flat and easy, but does not last long until you reach a set of around 400 concrete stairs that con...

To access this trail, you must pay the $16 park entrance fee. It's a 1.25 mile from the entrance gate along a gravel road but there are signs marking the way to the trailhead.  Translated, Sendero Punta Catedral means Cathedral Point Trail. It is a 1 mile long trail that circles Cathedral Point peninsula. This trail has been improved quite a bit since the very first time I hiked it. Now, the tr...

The beach just outside of Manuel Antonio National Park is called Playa Espadilla and you can camp here for free if you have a tent or hammock. This is a safe place, accustomed to tourists, but be careful with valuables while camping on the beach - always a good idea, anyway.The alternative would be to stay in one of the hotels or hostels that are on the other side of the street in front of the ...