Sanatorio Durán, Early 20th century tuberculosis hospital in Potrero Cerrado, Costa Rica.
Sanatorio Durán is a complex of several stone buildings built in the early 1900s and situated near Irazú Volcano. Long corridors, large windows, and individual treatment rooms define the layout of the site.
A doctor established this sanatorium in 1918 to treat his daughter and other patients during a time of widespread tuberculosis infection. Over the 20th century, the building served different purposes before becoming accessible as a historical site today.
The Sisters of Charity of St. Anne worked as caregivers here, bringing medical practices they learned from hospitals in Europe and America. Their daily work shaped the rhythm of the complex and made it a place of care in this remote location.
The site is open to visitors on several days of the week, though it is best to check operating hours before visiting. The paths are somewhat uneven since it is an abandoned site, so sturdy footwear and caution are advisable.
After closing in the 1960s, the building was repurposed for entirely different uses before eventually becoming open to visitors. Local reports of paranormal occurrences have added an eerie quality and strange appeal to the place.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
