Poas Volcano
National Park

General Information
Location: 55 km. (34 mi.) from San Jose; 37 km. (23 mi.) from Alajuela via San Pedro de Poas Highway
Area: 5,600 Ha. (13,832 acres)
Camping: It is not allowed, No facilities are available
Hiking: Permitted on well-marked trails only
Hours: Monday through Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The beauty of the area, the spectacular views of the Poas Volcano, make this the most visited National Park in Costa Rica.

The park contains four major habitats: arrayans, stunted forest, cloud forest and, finally, areas with little or no vegetation.

In the cloud forest look for Oak trees and Cypress 20 m. (66 feet) tall, draped with ephyphyties and moss. In other areas, acid rain from the volcano prevents anything but ferns, and other small plants from growing.

Poas Volcano Park is a birdwatcher's paradise. The park is home to eighty or more species of birds, including sooty robins, black guans, the resplendent quetzal, green toucan and flame-throated warblers, squirrel cuckoos, great curassows, purple-throated mountain gems, golden-hooded tanagers and hummingbirds.

Hikers will be treated to glimpses of baird's tapirs, coyotes, rabbits, skunks, and various species of bats.

Vegetation includes banderita española orchids, royal brooms zorrillos and poor man's umbrellas, famous for having the largest leaves of any plant in Costa Rica.


Hiking
Tenderfoot hikers will be pleased to learn that this is the most easily accessible active volcano in the world, though some visitors may not consider "accessibility" to a live volcano an attribute particularly worth lauding.

There are three trails: Crater trail is 750 meters (2,461 feet) long; it is a paved, direct path to the main crater. Botos Lake Trail runs off Crater trail. It's about 1 km. (0.6 mi.) long, and winds through the forest to Botos Lake. The twenty or thirty minute hike ends at the world's most perfect spot for a picnic. Escalonia Trail (about 1 km.) starts at the picnic grounds. Just follow the signs.

Another sight worth seeing in this area is La Paz, the most photographed waterfall in Costa Rica. It's located outside the park, about 4.5 km. (3 mi.) northwest of the hamlet of Poasito. From Poas take the road east from Poasito for 3 km. (1.9 mi.), turn left at the crossroads and drive about 10 km. (6.2 mi.) north. You'll see the waterfall between Poas and Barva Volcano. Parking is available for picture taking.

Don't expect to find a lot of wildlife around the volcano. Animals have more sense than to set up housekeeping on the lip of a crater that's likely to blow up in the middle of dinner. However, you might catch sight of the little greenish yellow Poas squirrel.

How to The beauty of the area, the spectacular views of the Poas Volcano, make this the most visited National Park in Costa Rica


How to Get to Poas Volcano
The trip is an easy one, whether going on a tour, by car, taxi or bus.

A taxi from San Jose to the main entrance of the National Park cost between $45 to $50 dollars (you can split the cost with four other people). A taxi from San Pedro de Poas costs between $25 - $30. Don't forget, you will still have to pay the entrance fee as well.

There are two buses from San Jose to the volcano. A private bus leaves from Parque La Merced Sundays at 8 a.m.. The bus stops at Restaurant El Poas in the hamlet of Poasito. Passengers should eat their fill and perhaps fill their pockets as well; there are no restaurants in the park. The bus arrives at the park around 10 a.m. and returns to San Jose at 1:30 p.m.

Sunday is the most popular day to visit the volcano. To learn more about the culture we recommend you pack up a few sandwiches and join the natives at one of the picnic areas. It's a perfect opportunity to meet a few Costa Ricans and tell them a few exaggerated some lies about your own country.


Accommodations
There are no hotels in the park. However, if you've rented a car, you'll find many places around the park where you can stay.