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Angostura Lagoon, Cartago, Costa Rica

Also known as:  Laguna Angostura, Lake Angostura, Angostura Hydroelectric Project Lagoon

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Angostura Lagoon — things to do, where to stay, fun facts, history, stats and more. Let’s dive in!

Topics we cover in this article:

Looking for Angostura Lagoon cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore our comprehensive list of favorite travel partners.

All About Angostura Lagoon

Lake Locations: Costa Rica - Cartago Region, Costa Rica -

Nestled near in the peaceful town of Turrialba in Costa Rica’s Central Valley, Cartago Province, Angostura Lagoon constitutes the newest and largest hydroelectric plant in the country. Hydroelectricity, which does not emit greenhouse gas byproducts, is vital to the fulfillment of Costa Rica’s goal to become a carbon-neutral nation; as of now, over 80% of its electric power is produced in this manner. This enormous operation, also known as the Angostura Electric Project, receives water from four rivers: the Reventazon, Turrialba, Tulin and Tuis. Managed by the government entity known as Grupo ICE (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad, or Costa Rican Electricity Institute), the 177-megawatt capacity plant supplies nearly 10% of the country’s total electricity.

In addition to its environmental importance, Angostura Lagoon, or Laguna Angostura, has also become a center for recreational water activities such as water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and rafting. However, the area’s true claim to fame is undoubtedly its remarkable white-water rafting. Thrill-seekers can dominate a number of routes down the Pacuare, Pejibaye and Reventazon Rivers, all of which are flanked by lush, tropical jungle. A 12-mile trip down the popular Pejibaye River begins with class I, II and III level rapids before moving on to the trip’s climax: a trio of intense class IVs. The river flows into the Angostura Lake, where tired rafters can drift and float about, savoring the area’s sparkling waters and clear mountain views.

Angostura Lagoon is located but a few minutes away from a number of other nearby attractions and activities, like canyoning and waterfall rappelling. Guayabo National Park and Monument is an excavated Pre-Colombian site that was inhabited between 1000 B.C. And A.D. 1400; many of its bridges, roads, aqueducts, temples, and house foundations have weathered the years and can still be viewed today. Cheese factory tours are also available, where dairy lovers can learn about the process of manufacturing the unique soft cheese known as queso Turrialba.

A trip to Lake Angostura is not complete without a visit to the nearby botanical gardens belonging to CATIE, the Center for Tropical Agricultural Research and Education. Created by American visionaries in the 1940s, CATIE’s purpose is to research tropical agriculture and to train agriculturalists working in countries allied with the US, particularly those in Central and South America. The Pan American Union’s headquarters was established in Turrialba in 1942, but was later transformed into a field office for the Inter-American Institute for Agricultural Sciences (IICA). Today, CATIE offers tours of its 50 plantations and botanical gardens, dedicated to species such as coffee, avocado, mango, cacao, tropical fruit, and pejibayes. These areas provide valuable habitats for wildlife like toucans, butterflies, and iguanas. A mountain bike tour is also available for visitors aged eight and up, which is a bit more physically challenging and fast-paced. Each year in Turrialba, CATIE hosts an international fair fundraiser that attracts philanthropists from far and wide. The celebration features cultural events, sports, international food, and music.

Just a few minutes from Angostura Lagoon, the extraordinary hiking trails at Turrialba Volcano National Park are irresistible to energetic trailblazers. From the parking lot near the top, a trek to the summit of this 10,958-foot stratovolcano takes only about two hours, but only when conditions permit. Adventurers are rewarded with stunning views of fumaroles, mud pits, and Turrialba’s three massive craters.

Some areas in this region of Costa Rica are known to receive an average of 26 feet of rain per year — as a result, thick and verdant rainforests provide phenomenal birding and wildlife watching opportunities. It is not uncommon to see such species as the toucan, cormorant, green heron, Muscovian duck, and snowy egret in and around Angostura Lake. Be careful though: the area superior bird watching will ignite in you a fire for wildlife spotting and you may leave Angostura Lagoon with a lifelong passion.

With so many things to do and unique attractions nearby, it is no wonder that modern vacation rentals and real estate properties – many boasting spectacular lakeside views – are in such high demand at Angostura Lagoon; the same is true for the neighboring regions of Turrialba and Cartago. Come experience Costa Rican nature, technology, and culture at its best with a trip to this unforgettable project.

Things to Do at Angostura Lagoon

  • Vacation Rentals
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Water Skiing
  • Tubing
  • Hiking
  • Waterfall
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Birding
  • National Park
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Find Places to Stay at Angostura Lagoon

If you’re considering a Angostura Lagoon lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

Recommended Sites to Book a Angostura Lagoon Vacation

If you want to take a deeper dive to find waterfront lake cabins, cottages, condos, hotels or resorts, check out our favorite Angostura Lagoon lodging partners.

  • VRBO – Use VRBO to find the perfect lake rental home, condo, cabin, cottage or other vacation property.
  • Booking.com – One of the world’s leading digital travel companies, Booking.com connects travelers to everything from cozy B&Bs to luxury resorts.
  • Expedia – Expedia is a popular online travel agency with more than 140,000 lodging properties worldwide.
  • Hotels.com – With more than 325,000 hotels in 19,000-plus locations, Hotels.com is an industry leader in online accommodations.
  • TripAdvisor – Read traveler reviews and compare prices on hotels, vacation rentals and more at TripAdvisor.
  • Trivago – Trivago helps travelers compare deals for hotels and other accommodations from a variety of booking sites.
  • KAYAK – KAYAK scours hundreds of other travel websites at once to find the best deals on hotels and other travel-related services.
  • RVshare –RVshare connects travelers interested in renting a motorhome with owners who have RVs to rent.
  • CampSpot – Campspot offers premier RV resorts, family campgrounds, cabins and glamping options across North America.
ALL TRAVEL RESOURCES

Note: These are affiliate links so we may earn a small commission if you book through them. While there is no extra cost to you, it helps provide resources to keep our site running (thank you)! You can read our full disclosure policy here.

Angostura Lagoon Statistics & Helpful Links

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Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

Water Level Control: ICE

Surface Area: 622 acres

Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,893 feet

Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 1,877 feet

Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 1,893 feet

Average Depth: 72 feet

Maximum Depth: 92 feet

Completion Year: 2000

Trophic State: Eutrophic

Angostura Lagoon Map

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