Poás Volcano National Park, Active volcano national park in Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
The park features a massive crater measuring 1.6 kilometers across with a sulfuric lake at its bottom and continuous steam emissions from fumaroles.
The national park received its official designation in 1970, expanding from an initial 1200 hectares to 6506 hectares by Executive Decree in 1994.
The surrounding communities of Poasito, Fraijanes, Varablanca, and San Pedro de Poás maintain traditional agricultural practices and local food preparations.
Visitors must purchase tickets in advance and can access the park between 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM, with a maximum stay of 20 minutes at the crater viewpoint.
The main crater reaches a depth of 320 meters and contains an acidic lagoon, making it one of the largest active volcanic craters on Earth.
Location: Alajuela Province
Inception: 1970
Operator: Área de Conservación Central (ACC)
Website: https://sinac.go.cr/EN-US/ac/accvc/pnvp/Pages/default.aspx
GPS coordinates: 10.20141,-84.24179
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:39
Costa Rica spans 19,700 square miles (51,100 square kilometers) between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, offering photographers a concentration of varied landscapes within a compact area. The country maintains over 30 national parks and protected areas, including Arenal Volcano, whose near-perfect cone rises 5,479 feet (1,670 meters) above surrounding rainforest, and Monteverde Cloud Forest, where mist drifts through canopy vegetation supporting rare species such as the resplendent quetzal. Rio Celeste flows through Tenorio Volcano National Park, displaying its characteristic turquoise color from volcanic minerals, while Tabacon Hot Springs delivers naturally heated water from underground sources. Coastal regions present diverse subjects, from the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park, where white-faced capuchin monkeys move through trees, to Cahuita National Park on the Caribbean coast with its coral reefs. The Nicoya Peninsula and Papagayo Peninsula provide access to Tamarindo Beach and Santa Teresa Beach, while the southern zone includes Marino Ballena National Park, named for its whale-shaped sandbar visible at low tide. Tortuga Island, off the coast of Puntarenas, serves as a day-trip destination. Inland, San Jose Central Market documents daily commerce, the National Theater displays neoclassical architecture from 1897, and Guayabo National Monument preserves pre-Columbian ruins. Cerro Chirripó rises to 12,533 feet (3,820 meters) as the country's highest point, offering views of both oceans in clear conditions.
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