Volcanos of Costa Rica

Zone of High Volcanic RiskWhile there are several volcanos in Costa Rica there are only 3 main ones that are tourist destinations, some more active than others. They are ArenalPoás, and Irazú.

The best time to visit any volcano is on a clear, cloudless day so that you can see the view when you get to the top. It’s never easy to gauge what the weather will be like when you set out in the direction of one of these volcanos though, so enjoy yourself either way!

Volcán Poás

Poas Crater

Poás is the largest and most active of the Costa Rican volcanos. It’s also the closest to San José so perfect for the weekend day trip if you’re in town for business.

observation deckAt 8,885 feet tall it is quite the sight to see. As a tourist you can get close to the crater- look down on it from an observation deck, which is another reason that having a cloud-less day is so important!

Volcán Irazú

Irazú is the tallest volcano in Costa Rica- at 11,260 ft and it has several craters that you can visit. On an incredibly clear day you can see both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans from the top, though it’s hard to find such a day!

Volcán Arenal

Arenal under clouds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arenal is no longer active, but for a long time was the prime tourist attraction – putting on a “fireworks” show night after night. Its last eruption was in 2010, when it then entered into a resting stage.

There are several nice hotels near by as a result of all the previous tourist activity, so while you won’t see the lava you once could, you can still enjoy the beautiful scenery and perhaps a discounted rate

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  1. Pingback: Recipes from Spain, Chile, & Costa Rica | Places to see, Meals to eat | PicklesTravel

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