A heart-shaped crater, an active stratovolcano rising 2,708 meters (8885 feet) in the Cordillera Central mountain range, tropical environment, and the hospitality of the inhabitants of the town all await you.
One of Costa Rica's most active volcanoes is Poás Volcano. It is situated in the country's center region, about 25 miles northwest of San Jose, the capital. Since 1828, the volcano has erupted at least 39 times, with the most recent one occurring in 2017. One of the rare volcanoes in the world with a lake in its crater is Poás Volcano.
The crater is incredibly acidic. In fact, the pH of the water is so low that it can dissolve metal objects! Despite its dangerous conditions, Poás Volcano is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can view the crater from a safe distance. However, it is important to remember that Poás Volcano is an active volcano, and there is always potential for another eruption.
In the park, you can also find a side trail headed through the forest to the emerald Lago Botos, that fills an extinct crater. Currently, the entrance to the lagoon is closed. Many years ago, the volcano had a seismic activity that caused the release of rock, gasses and ash, destroying almost part of the entrance to the lagoon. Nowadays, the trail to the lagoon is closed.
Poás is one of Costa Rica's most popular tourist attractions, and for good reason. It's one of the few volcanoes in the world that you can actually drive up to and walk around.
Here are 5 reasons why you should put Poás on your Costa Rica bucket list.
1. You Can See an Active Crater
The Poás Volcano has been active for centuries, and its crater is one of the most impressive things to see. The crater is almost a kilometer wide and is surrounded by lush, green forest.
2. The Views are Breathtaking
In addition to the active crater, there are also several trails that lead to viewpoints of the surrounding landscape. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
3. You Can Experience the Rainforest
Poás is located in Costa Rica's Central Valley, which is home to some of the country's most lush and biodiverse rainforests. The volcano is surrounded by primary and secondary forests, and there are several trails that wind through the woods.
4. You Can Visit the Poás Volcano National Park
In addition to the volcano itself, the Poás Volcano National Park is also worth a visit. The park is home to a number of different ecosystems, including cloud forests, dry forests, and wet meadows.
5. It's Easy to Get There
Poás is located just a few hours from San Jose, Costa Rica's capital city. There are a number of tour companies that offer day trips, and it's also easy to get there on your own.
How to Get There?
The Poás Volcano is located in the central part of Costa Rica, about 2 hours from the capital city of San Jose and only 5 minutes away from Altura Hotel.
If you're driving, take the Pan-American Highway north from San Jose until finally following route 120 to the National Park. The volcano is well-signposted, and there is a large parking lot at the entrance to the park.
There are also a number of tour companies that offer day trips from San Jose. These tours typically include transportation, a guide, and an entrance to the park.
How to Make a Reservation?
You can easily buy your ticket and choose the time of visit in this website: https://serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr/
How to Check the Weather?
The volcano is wonderful to visit any time of the year but preferably over the summer, however if you would like to check how the weather is like real time click in the following link:
http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/index.php/camaras/v-poas/22-camaras-volcanes/102-volcan-poas-crater
So there you have it - 5 reasons to visit the Poás Volcano. Have you ever been? Let us know in the comments!
