Costa Rica Volcanos and Mountains
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Costa Rica has over 114 volcanic formations. Six volcanoes are considered active. In most cases they are protected areas or national parks. We recommend staying overnight if you make Arenal part of your Costa Rica tour. Poas and Irazu are best viewed early in the morning in order to beat the clouds and get a clear view of the craters and surrounding countryside.
Arenal Volcano in northern Costa Rica is the nation's most active volcano and one of our Favorite Destinations. Set in a national park with thousands of acres of rainforest, Arenal continually releases steam and other hot gases, and has constant flows of lava rocks at temperatures around 1800°F that can be seen glowing orange-red on clear nights. Other activities in the area include hiking in the rainforest, soaking in volcanically-warmed water, horseback riding on back roads, superb bird watching, hikes to attractive waterfalls, bridge canopy tours and much more. This is one of Costa Rica's premiere destinations.
Poas Volcano located in the mountains a short drive outside San José, contains an active volcano and interesting ecosystem. This national park has two main craters. One is active with sulphurous steaming vents, and the other is an extinct crater containing a forest-ringed clear lake that mirrors the sky. At 8800 feet elevation, the park protects a mountain forest with trees on exposed ridges dwarfed and gnarled by the winds. This park is an excellent starting point for visitors to experience the beauty and diversity of ecotourism in Costa Rica. Trips to Poas can be easily arranged out of San Jose.
Irazú Volcano is in the mountains south of San José, Costa Rica. Tours frequently combine it with a visit to the colonial capital city of Cartago and nearby Lankester Gardens. Irazú erupted from 1963 to 1965 and the recovery of the picturesque vegetation is slow in the thin, cold air of the volcano's 11,260 foot peak Cartago is a quieter city than San José and contains the famous La Basilica church, site of an annual pilgrimage on August 2nd. Run by the University of Costa Rica, Lankester displays and protects an important botanical collection of orchids, bromeliads and other plants. A visit to these areas makes a pleasant day trip.
l Rainforests lVolcanos and Mountains l Beach Vacations l Wildlife Viewing l
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