Cartago was the country's capital until San Jose took that distinction in 1823. Later, the city suffered more devastating setbacks: two strong earthquakes in 1841 and 1910. As a result, few old buildings remain, but the ruins of a cathedral stand in a park in the heart of the city.
A few blocks away is the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles, home of the country's patron saint, La Negrita. The patron saint is honored on 2 August by Ticos who make pilgrimages from around the country (having started out sometimes weeks earlier), walking to Cartago to pray at the basilica.
The Lancaster Botanical Gardens, near the basilica, has an impressive collection of orchids, most of which bloom in the dry season. It's generally considered the world's best collection of epiphytes.
A popular picnic spot with Cartagoans is the hot spring in Aguacaliente. 14 mi/23 km east of San Jose.
