Cartago pilgrimage to Basilica of the Angels hit by rain, rescues dog Otto

A tropical wave moving across Costa Rica is expected to bring showers and thunderstorms to the Central Valley on Friday and Saturday, prompting the National Meteorological Institute to advise pilgrims heading to the Basilica of the Angels in Cartago to carry rain gear. The forecast calls for partial cloudiness with intermittent rain, especially in Alajuela, Heredia and the western part of the valley, while conditions in Cartago are expected to improve by Sunday.

During the 2025 pilgrimage, volunteers from the Association for the Welfare and Protection of Animals rescued a stray dog near the basilica. The animal, later named Otto, was adopted by Nancy Sánchez Solís of La Unión, who said, “La Virgencita de los Ángeles nos regaló a Otto.” The family welcomed the dog on 2 August 2025, and he has since become a permanent member of the household.