Turrialba National Park

Known for the largest craters in Costa Rica, Turrialba Volcano National Park is located 40 miles east of San Jose and only a hop, skip and jump from Irazu National Park. The proximity makes these two volcanoes ideal scenery for a day trip that leaves plenty of time to return to San Jose for dinner and drinks. At 10,985 feet above sea level, it has three distinctive craters that are deep and well forested. The center crater is the deepest and most active, pouring steam and vapors into the atmosphere each day, so it is closely monitored by government agencies.

Turrialba is a stratovolcano or 'composite' volcano because of its conical shape built up over many layers of hardened lava, pumice and volcanic ash. The last major eruption took place in the late 1860's, but fumarole activity still takes place at the summit craters. The trailhead to the crater viewing area is next to a small cafe inside the park office. There are no other facilities or accommodations in the park at this time.