Poas Volcano National Park
Poas Volcano
Welcome to Poas Volcano National Park, home of the largest active crater in the world! This national park comprises a total of 16,000 acres, a highly popular natural spot within the Alajuela Province just 40 miles north of San Jose. The park sits at 8,900 feet above sea level and stays typically between 45 and 70 degrees year round (wear layers). Poas Volcano is an active 2,708-meter stratovolcano located within two large calderas. The crater of the volcano itself is 320 meters deep, almost one mile wide. Guests will have a chance to see small geyser and lava eruptions while visiting, these small actions frequent but not serious, the last serious event happening in 1952-1954.
The southernmost caldera is the Botos Lake (or Lagoon), a clear and cold water filled space that was last active over 7,000 years ago. The other, visibly more active caldera bubbles warm and acidic constantly. The path to the colorful summit to see these calderas up close and personal is accessible by vehicle, as well as through several shorter auto guided trail systems through the surrounding cloud forest.
Be sure to save plenty of time during your visit for the onsite visitors center and museum, this educational and highly interesting spot full of interactive educational presentations and activities. Open 8 am to 4 pm, this center also holds a cafe, gift shop, and auditorium. This is the perfect opportunity to learn about the diverse geology of Costa Rica, as well as volcanism in general.
