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Editor Pick
Poas Volcano
- October 21, 2006
- Rated 5 of 5 by
Shady Ady from Hinckley, United Kingdom
Poas Volcano is an active volcano located in Parque Nacional Volcan Poas, a 47km trip from San Jose. The park measures 5600 hectares and the basaltic volcano stands at an altitude of 2708 (8200 feet) a.s.l. and is one of the few places in the world where you can see straight down in to an active volcanoes crater.
The active crater measuring 1.5km in diameter and 300m deep is the largest active volcanic crater in the world. At the bottom of the crater is an aqua-blue lagoon, contrasting in colour to the surrounding dense tropical forests and spewing out poisonous sulphuric gas into the atmosphere. I found it very hard to believe upon peering down into Poas Volcano, that this was still active! Saying this though the volcano erupted as recently 1954 and in 1989 the park was closed for safety reasons due to high levels of gas emissions.
If you are really lucky (unlike me!) you may even get the chance to see a geyser-like eruption of muddy water and steam from the lagoon, which has given the volcano the reputation as the world’s largest geyser.
Parque Nacional Volcan Poas also boasts four different habitats highlighting the rich biodiversity, which can be found in Costa Rica. These habitats include cloud-forest, stunted forest, areas of scarce vegetation and an area of arrayans. There is also a wide array of wildlife including 79 different bird species and the very rare Poas green-yellow squirrel, found nowhere else in the world. For me the stunted forest areas (due to the high levels of acid rain) of the park were the strangest and most interesting to view.
Depending on your itinerary, there are a number of short trails around the crater, although many tour groups don’t stay here too long. Most people only walk the ‘Crater Overlook Trail’, taking only 5 minutes to walk from the car park along the tarmac road. More interesting and less used by visitors are the ‘Side Trail’ taking you to Botos Lake and ‘Escalonia Trail’, which goes through the humid cloud-forest.
Inside the park, the weather can change in an instance from humid to cold and wet to dry, so dress sensibly and bring waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear, especially if using one of the less frequented trails around the crater. After 10am, the clouds start rolling in. Obscuring most of the crater, so arriving early is a must for a good glimpse of the crater and lagoon in all its glory.
The best way to view Poas Volcano is through one of the many tour companies that visit here. Tours can be found easily in most accommodation and throughout the city. Using taxis is too expensive and public transport doesn’t go near to the park. Expect to pay anywhere from $30-$70 for a guided tour, depending on the itinerary chosen. Entrance costs $7 (included in most tour costs), with the park opening from 8am to 3.30pm. For more information call the Poas National Office on 442-7041.
From journal San Jose and Around!
Poas Volcano
- December 2, 2005
- Rated 4 of 5 by
rkaleal from Lawrence, Kansas
The Poas Volcano is absolutely exquisite. This sulfer-emitting volcano has a beautiful blue-green caldera (or lake) in its cone. It is a great site and natural beauty.
From journal 10 Days to see All of Costa Rica
Volcan Poas
- November 27, 2005
- Rated 3 of 5 by
BedfordEJ from Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Look down into the crater to see the steam and some beautiful views. Get there early in the day, as the clouds usually roll in by about 10am. Interesting flora in the area.
From journal 25th Anniversary in Costa Rica
Poas Volcano
- September 14, 2005
- Rated 3 of 5 by
am331 from New Jersey, New Jersey
There is a lovely crystal-blue sulphur lagoon in the crater of this volcano. The pH is the lagoon is about 0.5 to 1.0, which is highly acidic! It is a beautiful and interesting sight! It was part of the "Costa Rica Highlights Tour," which included breakfast at a mountain lodge, a Poas Volcano crater visit, a walk through a cloud forest, a stop at La Paz waterfalls and hummingbird gallery at Braulio Carrillo National Park, lunch at a rainforest lodge, and a jungle river boat cruise. I highly recommend it!
From journal Natural Beauty in Costa Rica
Editor Pick
Poas Volcano Day Trip
- November 11, 2000
- Rated 3 of 5 by
Travelin Fools from Overgaard, Arizona
This trip is most easily accomplished if you stay in Alajuela since the volcano is not far. From Alajuela, you also have a good view of Poas' summit and the weather up top. It is often rainy, so the best time to go is usually early before the clouds build and obsure the views of the caldera. A rent-a-car would be good for this trip, since you can decide at a moment's notice if the weather looks right, but public buses leave daily in the a.m. from Alajuela and San Jose. Bring rain gear or an umbrella although the latter along with rubber boots can be rented at the park's info center. There is also a short hike to a lake situated in an ancient crater of Poas.
From journal Costa Rican Odyssey