With some great road trip options available in the surrounding area, renting a car makes sense. Without one, it wouldn’t be half as easy to enjoy everything that Cartago, 20 miles away, has to offer. Among your first few stops here ought to be Parque Nacional Tapantí-Macizo Cerro de la Muerte, Lankester Botanical Garden and Las Ruinas de la Parroquia. San Jose is another terrific option. It’s 30 miles away and offers an array of awesome things to do. Costa Rica National Stadium, Sabana Park and Morazan Park are only the start.