Poás Volcano National Park
Poas is a volcano that rises to 2,708 metres above sea level, since 1989 has increased markedly the emission of gases causing acid rain phenomena that have damaged the flora in some sectors of the Park and surrounding agricultural plantations to the area. At the top there are two craters, the principal of 1.5 km in diameter and 300 deep, and the Botos lagoon, cold water and source purely rain, that drain into the Caribbean by the Angel river, tributary of the Sarapiqui River. Today the volcano emits large amount of gas and water vapor from the different fumaroles that are located in the inner cone of the crater. Identified several volcanoes, the Chompipe 2259 m above sea level, the Turu 2139 metres above the level of the sea, Cerro Cacho Negro at 2250 m and the Barva which has several craters, the well-known Tres Marias at an average altitude of 1725 meters.
Things to Do
Main crater: It is circular shape and measures about 4330 feet (1320 m), 1049 feet (320 m) deep. Its edge is composed of pyroclastic materials such as blocks, bombs, ashes and 7540 years old lavas. It boasts a hot and acidic water lagoon with temperatures between 68 Fahrenheit (20° C) and 122 Fahrenheit (50 ° C).
Von Frantzius Cone: It is located about 2952 feet (900 meters) Northside of the active crater and is partially destroyed on its southern flank. It has an irregular horseshoe shape open to the south, with small escarpments covered with vegetation.
Laguna Botos: Old crater occupied by a cold lake of 1312 feet (400 m) in diameter and 46 feet (4 deep). Its bottom is half-plane and sedimented by materials of the interior walls with the contribution of organic material. (Currently closed)
Birds: Typical species in the area include: tangara de monte (Cholorospingus pileatus), saltón patagrande (Pezopetes Capitalis), jungle soterrerey (Henicorhina lecophrys), zorzal piquinegro (Catharus gracilirostris) fire throated hummingbird (fiery-throated hummingbird), tan hermit hummingbird (Glaucis aenea), quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno).
Mammals: Mammals are not abundant, although coyotes (Canis latrans), weasels (Mustela frenata), rabbits (Silvilagus dicei), smelly skunks (Conepatus semistriatus) and among the most common are the Poas Squirrel (Sciurus deppei) and the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcitus).
Flora: In the area of public use they can be observed plant associations related to the cloud forest, which highlight species like the poor umbrella (Sombrilla de pobre, Gunnera insignis) and encinos oak (Quercus sp.).
Plan Your Visit
Hours of Operation Every day from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Directions
- Route 1: From San José, take the highway to the city of Alajuela. From there, take Route 712 to Poasito, passing through the communities of Itiquís and Fraijanes, following the signs to the volcano.
- Route 2: Through Heredia, and up through Barva de Heredia–Varablanca–Poasito.
- Route 3: From San José, take the highway to the city of Alajuela. Then take the highway to Poás through San Juan-Sabana Redonda-Fraijanes-Poasito to the Poás Volcano.
Important Considerations
- Comfortable clothes closed shoes for walking. On sunny days hat and sunscreen are required; in cloudy and rainy days, coats and capes.
- Make sure you use the booking system to enter the national park.
- Weather conditions at sightseeing places and trails are changing, so there is not always certain that the main attractions are going to be clear.
- Given the volcanic activity, please pay attention to the regulations and instructions given by park guards to protect your physical integrity in the event of an emergency.
- It is important to note that in Poas Volcano National Park, the following are not allowed:
- Being drunk in the park, consumption or use of drugs.
- Entering with animals or pets.
- Remove stones, plants or other natural resource of wilderness.
- Going out from trails or areas for public use.
- Smoking (Law No. 9028).
- Throw garbage. There are no trash bins in the national park. The visitors should carry the trash until they have access to a container where it can be disposed of.