The Poas Volcano is one of Costa Rica´s many volcanoes. This strato-volcano is located in Heredia, in central Costa Rica, just 1 hour and 15 minutes from our hotel. It has erupted 39 times since 1828 and is currently in an active state. It is the only volcano in the country where you can climb to the top and look into the crater. When the fog and cloud cover part you will discover a huge lake of sulfuric rain water bubbling within the deep crater, which measures nearly a mile in diameter, making it the largest active volcano in the world.
The hike up the volcano is a paved trail with a moderate incline making it relatively easy and accessible for visitors of all ages. You are already a good amount of the way up from the parking lot, so the .5 mile walk is not very intense. Beware that the volcano itself regularly lets off puffs of steam which mix with the cooler air of the mountains, frequently creating a fog that covers the entire area. But even if you are not lucky enough to observe the crater, you will enjoy the informative museum and delicious coffee shop.
The Botos Lake is located in an extinct crater at the end of the longer (1 mile) trail which is home to an impressive quantity of tropical birds including toucanets, hummingbirds, tanagers, flycatchers, clay colored robins, and the illusive quetzal, making it a bird watchers dream.
What to see:
- World´s largest active crater
- Mini geothermal museum
- Visitor’s Center and Coffee shop
