The City of Cartago is located in the Cartago Province at the base of the Irazú Volcano ... 22 kilometers from the capital of San Jose, Costa Rica.

Although technically considered to be in the Central Valley area, the trip over to Cartago from the San Jose 'central valley' requires travel into the adjoining Cartago valley

During our trip to Cartago we traveled up through the mountains to an elevation of 7,628 feet (2,325 meters) for the great views of both the San Jose and Cartago valleys some 3,000 feet below.

We then returned via the main valley roadways, completing a full circle to our home near Vasquez de Coronado (Northeast of San Jose).

Our travels included stops at the Parroquia of Santiago Apóstol "ruins" that date back past the 16th century and the Básilica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles originally built in 1639.

The Básilica is the destination of an annual August pilgrimage and visitation by about 1.5 million believers throughout the country - many of whom join in the celebrated 22 kilometer walk to the basilica during the Romería. Some even complete their entire journey on their hands and knees as a demonstration of their piety.

As you’ll see in the following pictures, Junior and I took care of some much overdue business (please don't take offense, we were just kidding around with a fun photo opportunity ;o)