Do you like scary movies? I Do! How about visiting a haunted place? We visited one such place called Sanatorio Durán in Cartago. It is a beautiful place. We did not see any spirits there, but part of the building is really dark and creepy.

About this Place:

Built in 1915 by Dr. Carlos Duran was a hospital built for treating Tuberculosis. This facility was isolated for the treatment and location was apt for the recovery. It is said that the doctor’s main purpose for opening the hospital was to help treat his own daughter, who had Tuberculosis. Later, it expanded to help patients with mental health issues.

This hospital received aid from the Sisters of Charity of St. Anne, who helped in the treatment of the patients.

By the early 1960’s, the threat of Tuberculosis had passed. This place was then taken over for treating mental illness, but the patients were later moved to bigger and better hospitals. After the hospital shut down, the building was used as an orphanage, and then a prison. The building was operational for an additional 10 years after the hospital shut down.

The building was left abandoned after the it underwent structural damage caused by Irazu Volcano.

The mix of all these unfortunate deaths and illness has lead people to believe that this place is haunted.

Many visitors have heard whispers, strange noises and some have witnessed the spirits roaming the hallways of the facility.

Here are few haunted spots to watch out:

• Many have spotted a nun, who is believed to have been a caretaker at the hospital. This nun was a ghost that even the prisoners and the patients of the asylum reported seeing.
• Some have claimed that they have seen an older woman wearing a blue dress staring out the windows.
• A little girl who is said to be Dr. Duran’s daughter, is rumored to have been seen on the roof or the steps.

Are there any threats?

Nope, absolutely not. However, people claim they feel the presence like cold chill, some hear noises and other see shadows.

Has it been captured?

Two of the popular paranormal investigation televisions shows Paranormal State and Ghost Hunters International came to Costa Rica to explore this haunted place. Ghost Hunters have aired an episode, you can see a picture of a ghostly little girl sitting on some stairs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNbQSJy1ci4

Overview of this place:

Sanatorio Duran, is open to the public, who are free explore the entire campus. You can wander around the property and explore the all buildings and rooms. You will find operation theatres, children’s ward, Movie Hall, bathrooms, surgery rooms, consultation rooms and dormitories.

The hospital is fairly big with two floors and several sections. Outside the main building, towards the back, is the doctor’s headquarters.

Our Story:

It was a nice, sunny morning when we visited Sanatorio Duran. Before going in to the building we went ahead to explore the mini forest behind to the haunted hospital. The forest has a lot of eucalyptus trees in this area. When the wind blows through the trees, the sound it makes adds to the spookiness of the place. The feeling is just indescribable.

We started exploring the building from Isolation Ward, then down to Patients Dorm, followed by the bathroom, and the Barberia. We then walked down to their Movie hall and then in to the 2-storey main building. This building houses the surgery room, medicine rooms, radiography, the telephone room and others. As we walked around we went down into the basement, where we found the kitchen and canteen.

The basement is dark and creepy.

This place can be quite confusing, one room leading to another without a definite pattern. It’s easy to get disoriented and lose track of how to get out.

As we explored all the rooms, we came across many youngsters scaring each other, some were howling, and others were hiding in different rooms ready for a Peek a boo. A couple of them ended scaring me too. 😉

As stated earlier, we did not witness any paranormal activity, but the place is spooky. Maybe we did not give enough for spirit to show up 😄

As you exit this building you will see doctor’s headquarters. T entrance to this building was blocked when we went there.

What to Carry:

Camera
Water Bottle
Snacks
Sweater

Hours of operation:

All days 8 am to 4pm

Entry Fee:

Admission: ₡1,300
Parking: Free

Location:

Waze: https://waze.com/ul/hd1u2e0jk4

Google Map:

Tips:
This place is very cold. Be sure to wear warm clothes.
This is just a half a day trip. So, you can cover this in the noon, after you’ve spent the morning at the Irazu Volcano. Read our post about Irazu Volcano here.
They have a huge parking area, that can look real scary on that windy day 😄

There is also a mini play area for kids here.