This
is a garden with over 800 species of orchids and many
species of trees, plants, and bamboo. Something is always
blooming, but March is the best time to visit. It is open
from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm daily. The entrance is in front
of Campo Ayala. To get here, take:
1)
A route 316SD bus, direct to Paraíso, leaving from
C5/A18-A20 at 6:00 am, 7:00 am, 4:00 pm, and 7:00 pm. Tel: (San José) 2233-5350, (Cartago) 2551-0025, 2551-0232,
591-0636/0637.
2)
Or, take a bus to Cartago, then a Coopepar bus, route
336, to Paraíso, leaving from the south side of Central
Park in Cartago every 5 minutes from 5:00 am to 11:00
pm; 25 minutes. Get off at Las Jardines de Lankester. Buses return
from 4:30 am to 10:30 pm.
Tip:
Lankester Gardens is on the road from Paraíso to Orosí.
Depending on how much ground you want to cover, you can
see Orosí Valley on a day trip from San José.
Lodging:
Cabinas
Los Rápidos, Tel: 2225-3506, Fax: 2574-6074.
Sanchirí
Mirador & Lodge, Tel/Fax: 2533-3210.
Monte
Sky Ecological Lodge, Tel: 220-2337.
Accommodations
in San José.
Orosí
Valley -- (Province of Cartago -- Central Valley)
Orosí
is a beautiful valley in a mountainous region not far
from San José. Points of interest are the ruins of Ujarrás;
Lago de Cachí, a man-made lake; spectacular views;
hot springs, Costa Rica's oldest church in Orosí
village; and Tampantí National Park.
Take
a bus to Cartago (see Lankester Gardens,
above) then an Auto Transportes Mata bus, route 339, from
Cartago, at the southwest corner of the Church ruins:
Monday through Friday, every 20 to 30 minutes from
5:30 am to 10 pm, returning on the same schedule.
Saturdays, every half hour from 5:30 am to 10:00
pm, returning from 4:30 am to 9:00 pm.
Sundays,
every 20 to 30 minutes from 7:00 am to 8:30 pm and then
at 10:00 pm, returning from 5:30 am to 6:30 pm.
Buses
stop in front of Orosí lookout and return on the same
schedule; duration 45 minutes. Tel: (Orosí) 2533-8001,
(Cartago) 2592-5254.
Tips:
You can also visit Lankester Gardens, which is on the
bus route to Orosí, about 5 km after Cartago.
Depending on how much ground you want to cover, you can
see Orosí Valley on a day trip from San José.
Lodging:
Cabinas Los Rápidos, Tel: 2225-3506, Fax: 2574-6074.
Sanchirí Lodge, Fax: 2533-3210.
Monte Sky Ecological Lodge, Tel: 2220-2337.
Accommodations in San José.
Símon
Bolívar Zoological Park (Metropolitan Area of San José -- Central Valley)
This
is the city zoo. You can walk north here from the center
of town, but expect to climb hills and tread winding streets
(walk in the direction of the animal sounds). To
save energy and shoe leather, take the route 25 Calle
Blancos bus from C3/A3 to El Pueblo Shopping Center; ¢110.
Get off at Calle 11 and walk east to the entrance on Avenida
11. You can combine this trip with a visit to nearby
Spirogyra Butterfly Garden.
For complete descriptions of other points of interest and how to get there, click on the "Order Now" button above or below any page.
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