Your stay — Casa Aura
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Cartago.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Salón del Reino de los Testigos de Jehová (304 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Evangélica (329 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Catedral Nuestra Señora del Carmen (406 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Cristo Viene (565 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
El Punto Favorito — 335 m · ~4 min walk
Parque Jesús Jiménez — 136 m · ~2 min walk
Museo Municipal de Cartago — 182 m · ~2 min walk
Anfiteatro de la Independencia — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 277 m · ~3 min walk
Botica García — 305 m · ~4 min walk
Dist. de Huevos y Pollo — 238 m · ~3 min walk
Terminal LUMACA — 191 m · ~2 min walk
Emergency Contacts
Cartago911 is the main national emergency number. For non-urgent police matters, call 117. Red Cross ambulances: 128. Firefighters: 118. In Cartago, local public hospital (Hospital Dr. Max Peralta) is on Avenida 2, Calle 5, tel. 2552-5000. For tourists: contact the tourist police at 1198 if needed.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Cartago, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Casa Aura
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 277 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Botica García — 305 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Cartago Central Bus Station → El Copal Hotel (route: Paraíso or Orosi)
💡 Look for a bus marked 'Paraíso' or 'Orosi' and tell the driver you need the Copal turn-off. It's a short walk from the main road to the hotel, so ask the driver where to alight.
San José Bus Terminal (Calle 5 y Avenida 16) → Cartago Central Bus Station
💡 This bus runs frequently but can get packed during peak hours. Get off at the Cartago terminal, then take a local taxi for the final 10-minute ride to El Copal — expect 3-5 USD.
San José International Airport (SJO) → El Copal Hotel, Cartago
💡 Book a yellow official taxi from the airport kiosk to avoid scams. The fare is fixed, not metered. Pay in colones for a better rate; US dollars are accepted but at a poor exchange.
El Copal Hotel → Cartago City Centre (Basilica de Los Angeles)
💡 Uber is legal in Costa Rica but drivers prefer cash. Tip: share your live location with the hotel concierge, as addresses can be vague. Cabify is less common but offers fixed pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is check-in at Casa Aura?
Check-in at Casa Aura is from null. Check-out is by null.
Top Attractions in Cartago
💡 The ruins are a good meeting point, but don’t expect more than a 10-minute walk through. The best angle for a photo is from the south end in late afternoon light.
💡 Ask the attendant to let you into the courtyard garden — it’s not obvious from the street. Free, but they appreciate a small donation (500 colones is fine).
💡 Go on the morning of 2 August, the day of the Virgin of Los Angeles, to see the pilgrimage arrive in full force — it’s free and unforgettable. For a quieter visit, come on a weekday before 9am.
💡 Take the bus from Cartago to San Isidro de El General (hourly, 1,200 colones) and ask the driver to let you off at the mirador. Bring a jacket — it’s windy and cold even at midday. Continue up the trail behind the sign for a better view after 200m.
💡 Entry is $12 for foreigners, but worth it for the orchids alone. Go in January or February when most are in flower. Bring bug spray; mosquitoes are active in the humid sections.