The Orosi Valley

The Orosi valley runs south from Cartago between coffee slopes, with the Reventazón river through it and a reservoir at its lower end, and it is the oldest continuously settled part of the country. The church of San José de Orosi, finished in 1743, is the oldest still in use in Costa Rica and one of very few colonial buildings to survive the earthquakes that flattened Cartago repeatedly; it is low, thick-walled and adobe, with a timber ceiling and a small museum of religious art in the attached convent. Around it the valley holds coffee farms, hot springs, the Ujarrás mission ruin, and a loop road with viewpoints over the whole thing.

What you actually see

• San José de Orosi - the 1743 church, the oldest in use in the country.
• The Ujarrás ruins - the abandoned mission church down the valley.
• The valley loop - viewpoints over coffee slopes and the reservoir.
• The hot springs - simple thermal pools in the village.

When to go

December to April is drier for the loop road. Mornings are clearest for the valley views before cloud builds over the mountains. The church keeps regular hours and closes for services. It is a comfortable day trip from San José.

Honest expectations

The church is small and takes half an hour including the museum. The valley is pretty rather than spectacular, and it is a drive-and-look destination rather than one with much to do. The loop road is narrow with slow traffic. Cloud over the mountains is frequent even in the dry season.

Nearby

Cartago and Irazú are north; Tapantí national park is at the head of the valley.