Orosi Colonial Church

Iglesia de San José de Orosi

The oldest still-in-use church in Costa Rica, built by Franciscan missionaries in 1743 with thick adobe walls and a simple wooden interior. It houses a small religious art museum in the adjoining monastery.

Things to do

• Tour the colonial church interior — Step inside to see the thick adobe walls, wooden beamed ceiling, and gilded colonial-era altarpieces of Costa Rica's oldest church still in use.
• Visit the Religious Art Museum — Explore the adjoining Franciscan monastery museum displaying 18th-century religious paintings, silver, vestments, and wooden statues.
• Relax in the church plaza garden — Wander the leafy garden and park in front of the church, a quiet spot to admire the whitewashed facade and tiled roof.
• Photograph the bell tower and facade — Capture the simple, low-slung colonial architecture that has survived centuries of earthquakes in the Orosi Valley.
• Drive up to Mirador de Orosi — Head to the nearby hillside lookout for a panoramic view over the church, the valley, and the surrounding coffee terraces.
• Soak at Los Patios or Orosi hot springs — Unwind in the nearby thermal pools fed by the valley's volcanic springs, an easy add-on to a church visit.
• Explore the coffee plantations — Walk or drive among the emerald coffee fields blanketing the Orosi Valley slopes that surround the town.

Food to try

• Casado — The classic Costa Rican plate of rice, black beans, plantains, salad, and your choice of meat served at local sodas around the plaza.
• Gallo pinto — A breakfast staple of rice and beans fried with onions and cilantro, often served with eggs and fresh tortillas.
• Orosi Valley coffee — Sip locally grown, high-altitude coffee produced on the plantations that give the valley its reputation.
• Tamales — Corn masa filled with pork and vegetables wrapped in plantain leaves, a traditional treat especially near holidays.
• Agua dulce — A warm, sweet drink made from melted sugarcane cakes (tapa de dulce), commonly served in the countryside.
• Trucha fresca — Fresh trout from nearby valley farms, often grilled or fried and served with rice and vegetables.

Local customs & good to know

• Dress modestly inside — Cover shoulders and knees and remove hats, as this is an active place of worship, not just a museum.
• Respect Mass times — Avoid touring during services and keep voices low; check schedules since the church still holds regular worship.
• Small museum entrance fee — The religious art museum charges a modest fee and keeps limited hours, so confirm opening times before arriving.
• Greet with 'pura vida' — Locals in the Orosi Valley are warm and friendly, and this ubiquitous Costa Rican phrase works as both hello and thank you.

Nearby

• Orosi Valley — 0 km
• Ujarrás Ruins — 5 km
• Lankester Botanical Gardens — 6 km
• Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels — 10 km