Costa Rica

Orosi Valley

The lush river valley of Orosi is famous for its scenic mountain views, quaint towns and Tapanti National Park. Less than two hours by car from San Jose, Orosi Valley boasts two towns worth noting: Ujarras and Orosi. While the villages are a mere five miles apart, they are separated by Lake Cachi, and are not directly connected. It is important to note that to get from one to the other, it is necessary to first backtrack out of the valley to Paraiso.

Ujarras

The ruins of Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Limpia Concepcion are found in the tiny town of Ujarras. After a fisherman walking here supposedly saw the Virgen Mary in a tree trunk, the church was built on this site between 1681 and 1693 to honor her. An unfortunate flood destroyed the church in 1833; only the limestone ruins, now home to many birds, remain standing.  Avocados grow all around this picturesque settlement, and it is not uncommon to see harvesters hauling them around by the satchel. 

Across from the ruins is a small swimming pool, popular with local families, which is open in the dry season.  Bring your swimsuit to take advantage of this opportunity to cool off - Ujarras has its own  microclimate and can get scathingly hot. There is not much to see or do in Ujarras besides viewing these ruins, and it is recommended that visitors head to Ujarras’s sister town of Orosi to dine and sleep.

Getting There:

Bus: Take the bus from Cartago to Cachi via Paraiso, about 3.7 miles past Ujarras; ask the driver to drop you off at the fork to Ujarras (where you see the Restaurante Tipico Ujarras). From here it is a half-mile to the ruins. To return, go back to the same place and flag down any bus.

Car: Take Hwy 224 south from Cartago, follow the signs to Paraiso and Cachi.

Orosi

This quaint town was originally named for a Huetar Indian chief in charge of the town at the time of the Spanish invasion.  Orosi was attractive to Spanish conquerors because of its abundant water supply, hot springs, and stunning waterfalls.   It is one of the few well-preserved colonial areas in Costa Rica, having survived numerous earthquakes throughout the years. 

Don’t miss Iglesia de San Jose Orosi, which dates back to 1735.  The building is Costa Rica’s oldest church that is still in operation. The Franciscans built the structure out of adobe and tile nearly 300 years ago.  Recently restored, it includes an adjoining religious art museum filled with paintings, silver, furniture, and ancient artifacts.  The church is open Tuesday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., and weekends from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.  Entrance costs $1.  Inside the building next door you’ll find the Museo Sanfriscano holding religious relics, furniture and art from the 1700’s.

Walk around to appreciate Orosi’s small-town charm.  Stop for lunch at a cafe or picnic in the park and chat with friendly locals. There are two swimming pools heated by the thermal waters of Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. Because of its isolation and lack of popularity with tourists, Orosi is a gold mine of natural beauty just waiting to be explored. Trails are scattered about the town center. Beneficio Orlich Coffee Tour offers hour-long tours of the coffee plantation and processing plant. Available by appointment only; Tel. 2533-3535.

Nearby Day Trips:

Tapanti National Park: Hiking and bird and wildlife watching are popular activities at nearby Tapanti National Park. Trout fishing is allowed from April to October, but visitors must first purchase a fishing license from the park rangers. You'll also find some 260 kinds of birds here including sparrow hawks, goldfinch, doves, hummingbirds, parrots, and falcons. From the ranger's cabin, a quetzal nesting site can be seen.

Cartago: A small but bustling city, Cartago is a hub for outdoor attractions. Lush, green fields encircle the city, and shade-grown coffee seems to grow everywhere. The city’s history is almost tangible; be sure to check out the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles.

Parque Purisil: Six miles south of Orosi, has a trout farm, waterfalls, trails, swimming hole and on-site restaurant. Tel. 2228-6630

Getting There:

Bus: It's about a 40 minute ride from Cartago to Orosi. Buses leave every 30 minutes, Monday through Friday and every 30 minutes on weekends.

Car: From Cartago take the Paraiso road, turn right and drive until you start down the steep hill to the village.

By taxi: Call a taxi at Restaurante Coto. Fare to Orosi runs $10, to the nearby Tapanti National Park about $15.

Orosi Valley Snapshot

Summary: Includes the towns of Ujarras and Orosi; known for its colonial church, beautiful countryside and scenic lake.
Landscape: Mountains, Cloud Forest
Attractions: Tapanti National Park
Activities: Freshwater Fishing, Shopping, Bird & Wildlife Watching
Caters to: Families, Independent Travelers, Nature Lovers