Barva Volcano

Barva Volcano sits in Heredia Province at about 2,906 meters high with three main peaks and several crater lakes within Braulio Carrillo National Park. The landscape shows clear volcanic features with multiple craters at the summit and scattered across its slopes.

The last confirmed eruption occurred roughly 8,050 years ago, though old reports mention possible activity in the 1700s and 1800s. This geological history reveals a complex volcanic past with multiple periods of active formation.

Local indigenous communities regard the volcano as a sacred site, incorporating its presence into their traditional stories and ceremonial practices throughout generations.

The roads to reach it require four-wheel drive vehicles and visits are better planned outside the rainy season when conditions are safer. Weather can change quickly at this altitude, so proper gear and preparation are necessary.

The summit contains multiple eruptive centers rather than a single crater, with numerous smaller cones dotting the slopes in an unusual volcanic arrangement. This complex structure creates different perspectives and geological features depending on where you explore.