Located in the city of Cartago is the Basilica that is dedicated to the Lady of the Angels. Local legend says this all came about when a small statue of Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus was found by a young girl in this city. The girl took the statue from the rock that she found it on and brought it home, but when she awoke the next morning the statue was gone. To her discover the statue was back on the rock where she had found it. The girl then took the statue to a local priest where he locked it up for the night. The next morning the statue was no longer locked up, but back on the rock.
As the Basilica was being built in another location various earthquakes led construction to a halt. It was then decided to move construction to where the statue was found in Cartago. Since being built in 1639 the basilica has been redesigned after an earthquake destroyed parts of it.
The Basilica is busiest during the month of August as many local Costa Ricans make the pilgrimage. This pilgrimage consists of a twenty-two kilometer walk during the Romeria. Upon arrival and during their stay, people will visit the rock on which the statue was found upon. It is here where they wash themselves and drink the water. Aside from the pilgrimage, the basilica is open and visited year round.
| San Jose | 29 km |
| Turrialba | 42 km |
| Heredia-Poas | 38 km |
| San Gerardo de Dota | 69 km |
| Alajuela | 47 km |
Unsure of what to do? Let us make you a free custom trip plan!