Poas Volcano National Park

Poas Volcano National Park: Forty miles north of San Jose lays the amazing Poas Volcano National Park, a glorious display of geothermal activity that help form Costa Rica long ago. In between clouds of steam, mist and shooting geyers the visitors to this park can see old lava flows frozen in time, and the worlds largest active crater. The colorful summit craters are a popular attraction and can be reached by vehicles instead of the lengthy walk to park stations.

Poas is another stratovolcano that lies between to large calderas. The southern crater contains a crystal clear lake called Botos which contains cold waters and has not erupted for many decades. The northern crater contains warm, acidic water and erupts with geyerlike displays of water from the lake periodically but has not had a major eruption since the 1950's. Bring warm clothing when visiting the park as at these altitudes the temperatures often fall below freezing and are quite common for the area. There are three trails that are short and an easy hike for all members of the family and the perfect setting to obtain some great pictures to carry home. On the lower slopes of Poas you will find an array of fruit and floral farms, mild temperatures and grazing cattle. There is a modern visitor center and museum with exhibits that detail the geothermal activity of this amazing force of nature. No accomodations or camping are allowed in the park at this time.

Area		Approx. 16,000 acres
Max. Elevation		8,900' above sea level
Temperature		45ºF - 70ºF
Precipitation		140 inches annual average
Location		Alajuela Province, 40 miles N of San Jose
Created		25 January, 1971