Costarica - A Switzerland Of Central America IV.

Alejuela

Close to Costarica capital, you can visit Alajuela, the second biggest town of the country. Here, you can admire local places of interest, such as: butterfly farms and Juan Santamaria Museum, situated in former prison, Poas volcano, ZOO garden and El Bosque Encantado children relax centre in La Garita, the other butterfly farm in La Guacino (it belongs to the greatest ones of the world), Grecia „the cleanest town of Latin America“, including picturesque „red church“, the centre of handicraft wooden products in Sarch, Fortin, an old Spanish citadel in Heredia, the Coffee Museum in San Pedro de Brava and Coffee Institute in San Pedro de Heredia.

Cartago

Cartago Province is placed in south-east direction from San Jose. The region became famous thanks to its green valleys with coffee plantations and sugar-cane. The town of Cartago was established in 1563, and till 1823, it was Costarica capital. However, historical city centre was completely destroyed during earthquakes in 1841-1910. So, famous past of the town is reminded by Cartago Cathedral and Basilica Nuestra Senora de los Angeles („Angels´ Mother“), visited by thousands of pilgrims each year in August, in order to make a bow the patron of the country. Further, you can also visit the Ethnographic Museum, where you can admire great number of subjects from Pre-Columbian and colonial time period.

In south-east direction from Cartago, Mitrador Sanchiri is to be found. It is a centre of well-known Orosi Valley, covered with green copse, first of all with coffee plants. In small town of Orosi, we wish to recommend you to visit a Museum of Religious History, placed close to the church of beginning of 18th century. In near community of Ujarras, you can find the ruins of oldest church of the country (1681-1693). Except Turrialba, this is world famous centre of studies and tropical plants growing („Centro Agronomico-tropical de Investigation-a-Ensenyansa“ CATIE). In north-west direction, 31 kms distant from the town of Cartago, active Irasu volcano (3432 m) is to be found. In its surroundings, national park of the same name is situated, and in direction of 19kms to the north, you can admire Guayabo - national archaeological monument.

Text: Maxim Kucer

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: Roberto Garcia, luis serichol, Roberto Garcia, Roberto Garcia, Roberto Garcia, Roberto Garcia