Sanatorio Duran

The Sanatorio Duran was built in 1918 by Carlos Duran Cartin, a doctor and former president whose daughter had tuberculosis, as a treatment facility on the cold high slopes of Irazu where the air was thought to help; it held patients until the 1960s, then served as a prison and an asylum before being abandoned in the 1970s and damaged by eruptions and earthquakes. The buildings stand roofless and open in parts, with wards, corridors, the chapel and outbuildings walkable, and the site has acquired an extensive body of ghost stories that the operators promote, including night tours. The setting at around 2,300 metres is cold and frequently in cloud, which does the atmosphere no harm.

What to look for

• The ward buildings - the abandoned corridors and rooms.
• The chapel - the surviving church building on the site.
• The high setting - the cold cloud-covered slopes of Irazu.
• Night tours - the ghost-themed visits run after dark.

When to go

December to April in the dry season for the road and the walking; the site is cold and often in cloud in any season. Night tours run on set dates and need booking. Weekdays are quiet.

Practical notes

Buildings are unstable with loose masonry, open floors and no barriers in places. The site is cold and wet. The ghost stories are entertainment rather than record. Facilities are minimal.

Nearby

Irazu volcano lies above; Cartago is below.

Key facts