Within the shadow of mighty Irazu Volcano, lies the haunted Sanatorio Carlos Duran. Built in 1915, it was originally intended as a peaceful place where patients suffering from tuberculosis and leprosy could spend their last days. Throughout the years, the sanatorium/hospital was converted from medical facility to orphanage to insane asylum.
In 1973, Volcan Irazu’s eruption forced the residents off of the property, well, the living residents that is. There have been numerous reports of paranormal activity encountered on the asylum grounds from the residents living in and around Cartago. Experiences vary from eerie sounds, strange shadows, feelings of sadness, items being thrown from the rooms, as well as the sight of a ghostly nun wandering the halls.
The legend of Sanatorio Carlos Duran is so prevalent, that the American SyFy channel’s Ghost Hunters International came to Costa Rica to feature the sanatorium in one of their episodes. What do you think? Are you brave enough to tour the haunted halls?
Ooh..love that photo. Creepy!
Thanks Lisa!
That photo is fantastic! Taking a tour would be slightly creepy, but I would do it…during the day…armed with garlic 😉
Next time you are in Costa Rica, check it out. It’s on the way to Irazu, so you can see Irazu in the morning and then get spooked in the afternoon at the asylum!
“What do you think? Are you brave enough to tour the haunted halls?”
Um, NO! Hahaha. I wouldn’t do it on my own at least. I was too chicken to do the underground tour of the dead in Edinburgh – I certainly would be too much of a wimp to do this. I love doing and watching scary things but I need someone to grab onto to keep me company. Hahaha.
ooo underground tour of the dead sounds cool! Kind of like the catacombs in Paris – LOVED it! I also need someone to keep me company. No way I can hang out with ghosties by myself!
The tour of the dead in Edinburgh rocks! I did it last december, both the underground and the haunted graveyard… Back to the topic, that’s a really cool picture, and I love that place, so many stories and such amazing (yet creepy) buildings. I’m from Cartago so I’ve been there and I can tell you it’s not unusual to see people going on a night tour to the Sanatorio. There are even some who go camping in there! That’s too much for me!
eeks camping?! THat’s too much for me too. It was creepy in the daytime, I can’t even imagine it at night!
Erin, this is a really cool photo! I think I’m scared enough from the photo and your article that I don’t feel the need to visit the asylum. I’m what they call a “chicken”. lol Fun story though.
Shoot, I love this kind of stuff. I’m planning to go back there! With a friend, of course. I couldn’t so this alone, too spooky!
Ahh… that is so creepy! I wouldn’t want to go anywhere near this place!
awww, not even with a partner or maybe even a group of people?? 😉
Oh I do love me some crazy! I would love to see this… 🙂
It’s not too far from San Jose, so put it on the list for the next time you are in Costa Rica!
Beautiful photo! I’m still waiting for the day I actually experience some strange activity in a place that’s supposed to be haunted – this looks creepy enough to be that place, haha!
Thanks Andrea. This place is definitely haunted. We went on a bright sunny day – it was beautiful outside! But on the grounds it was cold and you could physically feel the creepiness!
I can’t believe Ghost Hunters went down there — spooky is right!
hmmm I wonder if they have ghosts in Coco? Maybe pirate ghosts?
Costa Rica’s version of the Bogeyman is “El Coco”, it’s supposed to be everywhere, so seeing El Coco in Coco seems appropiate, dont u think?
FREAKY. Insane asylums are scary enough even without the added “haunted” factor.
ugh seriously. You can feel the spooky history here. It’s so weird because the surroundings are absolutely gorgeous – it’s like a Van Gogh painting almost. But then the creepy asylum… shivers!!!!
It is already scary enough watching the reality shows of teams visiting hunted houses. I think I will pass. I am satisfied just watching the house from afar thank you. Awesome photo of the house. The gate is so creepy.
Erin–
Is your Samurai purchased from the US or from CR? I see all the custom work, snorkel, roof rack, etc. were those accessories purchased and installed in CR,
or in the US? The reason I ask these questions is my wife and I want to purchase a 4WD for CR and we were hoping to find a used one there…we wanted to know what your experience has been in that area. We spend 2 months of the year in CR, and own a home in Playa Hermosa, outside of Jaco. The money we have spent on rental cars, we could have bought a car by now!
Hi again Warren – I left a lengthy reply to your first comment over on the Tips For Driving in Costa Rica article.
Let me know if you have any further questions!
Hi Erin,
My first visit to your blog, and what a post to read first up!!!
This is pretty scary, insane asylums, even reading about it gave me chills…
Have a fabulous Sunday:)
Hi Arti! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I bet this was a surprise to see something spooky from Costa Rica – usually it’s creepy castles in Europe that get a spotlight in a blog post. Costa Rica is almost always about sunshine and waves! Well, not at the haunted asylum!!!
i am going there this weekend to camp with some friends..every local tico de chepe that i have talked to…..none of them have made it the whole night…it seems to scary to be true…but we shall see
OMG!!! That is sooooooo exciting! You have to let me know how it goes. I could probably attempt it with a group of friends… or not. I saw a ghost once when I was a child, it still gives me chills when I think about it. eeks. Seriously, I want to hear about the experience, can’t wait. Good luck!