Sarchí Costa Rica: Things to See and How to Get There from Grecia
Just a 15-minute bus ride from the center of Grecia, Sarchí is best known for its traditional handcrafted oxcarts (carretas) and colorful artisan workshops. But there is more to Sarchí than its famous carretas.
The Else Kientzler Botanical Garden, the town's distinctive church, local handicrafts and beautiful mountain views make Sarchí a worthwhile day trip from Grecia.
In this guide, we share some of the best things to see and do in Sarchí Costa Rica, including how to get there from Grecia.
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How to get to Sarchí from Grecia
Getting from Grecia to Sarchí by bus is easy and inexpensive.
Take a bus heading toward Sarchí or Naranjo from the Tuan bus station in Grecia. The bus station is only two blocks from Mangífera Hostel, making Sarchí an easy day trip if you are staying with us.
Ask the driver to let you off near the Sarchí football stadium, in the center of town.
Traditional Oxcart Factories in Sarchí
Sarchí is one of the few places in Costa Rica where you can still see the traditional craft of making carretas, or oxcarts, by hand.
In the past, farmers used oxcarts to transport goods across Costa Rica. Over time, farmers began painting their carts with distinctive patterns and colors to distinguish them from those of other farmers in the region.
Today, traditional oxcarts are mainly made as decorative pieces. Their colorful, hand-painted designs have become one of the best-known symbols of Sarchí and Costa Rican craftsmanship.
There are several interesting factories and workshops to visit in Sarchí, including Fábrica de Carretas Joaquín Chaverri and Fábrica de Carretas Eloy Alfaro.
During a factory visit, you can learn how these traditional wooden oxcarts are cut, assembled and painted. The wheels are among the most complex parts to make.
The local workshops also produce other handcrafted wooden items, such as plates, bowls and souvenirs, which you can find in shops around town.
You will see colorful, hand-painted oxcart wheels in several places around Sarchí, including outside souvenir shops.
In the town's central park, you will also find La Carreta, a gigantic traditional oxcart that is recognized as the world's largest oxcart. It is one of Sarchí's most recognizable landmarks and a popular place to stop for a photo.
Else Kientzler Botanical Garden
If you enjoy tropical plants, gardens and landscape design, the Else Kientzler Botanical Garden is well worth visiting.
The garden has several different sections with a wide variety of tropical vegetation. It is larger than it may seem from the entrance, and you can easily spend a couple of hours walking around. It is a pleasant place to walk in the shade, sit on one of the benches and look for birds, butterflies and insects feeding on the flowers and fruit.
The botanical garden is about 1.5 kilometers north of the bus stop near the football stadium in central Sarchí. You can walk there from town, and there are several small supermarkets along the way where you can buy a drink or snack.
Church of Sarchí
On your way back from the botanical garden to the center of Sarchí, you can stop at the town's distinctive twin-tower church.
The church has been painted in several different colors over the years and was recently painted again, both inside and outside. The latest design includes decorative details inspired by the town's traditional artisan and woodworking heritage.
After visiting the church, you can finish your day with a walk through the park in front of it or enjoy an ice cream while taking in the atmosphere of the town.
If you are staying in Grecia, Sarchí is an easy and worthwhile day trip. You can combine traditional Costa Rican craftsmanship with a botanical garden, local food and mountain scenery without having to travel far.
And because the bus station in Grecia is only a couple of blocks from Mangífera Hostel, you don't need a car to visit Sarchí.
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