Traveling to Lankester Botanical Garden in Cartago

I am truly ashamed to say that in my 35-plus years of traveling to Costa Rica (and specifically Cartago), I had never visited Lankester Botanical Garden. Not only was Lankester located almost literally in the backyard of my Cartago host family’s home, but the first director of Lankester was Dora Emilia Mora Monge (de Retana) who was my AFS Aunt! Dora was my Papi’s sister and she was an accomplished botanist, author and biologist who specialized in the study of orchids at the University of Costa Rica. She even had several species of orchids named after her. She was also a very sweet woman and I remember spending time in her home with my AFS cousins. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2001.

During my last trip to Costa Rica in May of 2022, I finally got the chance to visit Lankester and I wish I had done it sooner!

What Is Lankester?

Lankester Botanical Garden is a research and visitor center where you can see all sorts of tropical plants, especially orchids. It’s named after Englishman Charles Lankester who bought the land in 1924 which was part of a coffee farm. He eventually ended up selling the coffee farm, but keeping the area near the lagoon where he cultivated orchids. After his death in 1969, the area was left to his daughter who later sold it to the University of Costa Rica with the stipulation that it remain a botanical garden. Costa Rica is home to over 1,300 species of orchids, so Lankester is the place to go if you’re an orchid fan.

Lankester is easy to get to and is located just off Route 10, about four kilometers south of Cartago en route to Paraiso, Orosi or Cachi. Admission is just $6.00 for locals and $10.00 for tourists. Both cash and credit cards are accepted. Hours of operation are 8:30 am-4:00 pm Monday and Tuesday, and 8:30 am-4:30 pm Wednesday through Sunday.

Lankester is located on a quiet road off the main highway in a scenic area. The day we visited, the clouds were low and grazing the tops of nearby mountains in a blueish gray color that almost always means a thunderstorm is imminent. The combination of the clouds with the surrounding vibrant greenery is one of the reasons I love Cartago so much. You never, ever get tired of that view.

Inside the gates to Lankester, we were greeted by immaculate grounds and beautiful trails called “senderos”. These trails are paved and make for a lovely walk through the lush property.

Types of Plants at Lankester

If you’re wondering what types of plants you’ll be able to see at Lankester, the answer is a lot! Lankester features tropical plants such as Birds of Paradise, anthuriums, heliconias, bromeliads, palms, bamboo, cacti, ferns, succulents and of course, orchids galore. Since Costa Rica is home to over 1,300 species of orchids, you’ll want to take a trip through the orchid building. In fact, Costa Rica’s national flower is the “Guaria Morada”, also known as the Guarianthe Skinneri or Cattleya Skinneri. If you’re an orchid fan, you may be interested in how you can bring one home. Can you?? More on that later…

There are dozens more plants, trees and tropical vegetation that you’ll be able to see as you wind through the property’s trails.

The Japanese Garden

Winding through the trails at Lankester, you’ll eventually come out into a serene area with a beautiful Japanese garden. This area includes a pond, bridge, a Japanese teahouse and a small home where you’ll remove your shoes before entering. One of these buildings has a zen garden in the rear section. There’s also a small creek that runs through the area and plenty of places to sit and relax.

The pond area is covered with lilies and lily pads and there is plenty of bamboo surrounding the area. Its beautiful, serene ambiance makes it a good backdrop for photographs and weddings.

Picnic Area, Restaurants and Souvenir Shop

If you plan on spending the afternoon at Lankester and are wondering about food, there are a couple of options. I was pleasantly surprised to find a picnic area and a tent selling Argentinian food. I had long since wanted to try a “choripan” which is sausage on a bun with chimichurri. They also had a number of other selections as well as ice-cold natural juices. There are plenty of picnic tables in case you bring your own food, and Lankester also has a small restaurant located near the entrance.

Before you leave for the day, don’t forget to stop by the souvenir shop. They have a gorgeous selection of shirts, pins, books and…remember I mentioned the orchids? Lankester is one of the few places that sells “in vitro” orchids, or orchids that have been propagated in small glass jars and vials. These jars are completely sealed and come with an export certificate.

Inside the package, you’ll find an orchid seedling, a square of sphagnum moss, instructions and a little pot for planting. You’ll need to be careful with these tiny orchids as some are in a sturdy gel and others in a more liquid-type agar that you’ll want to keep upright. The plants can continue to grow inside the jar for at least 2-4 months until you remove them and replant them.

Closing Thoughts

After my trip to Lankester Botanical Garden, I wondered why I hadn’t ever gone before. Was it because I mistakenly believed you had to be a plant enthusiast to enjoy it? Not so! Lankester is a wonderful day trip for anyone that wants to appreciate gorgeous scenery, colorful flowers and beautiful trails. I’ve read that many people combine Lankester with a trip to Irazu Volcano. While that’s a possibility, it seems a bit too much to crunch into one day if you really want to see everything. With that said, I highly recommend a trip to Lankester Botanical Garden.