Where is irazu volcano

This mountain is one of the most famous in Costa Rica, and is even one of the most famous volcanoes in the world. The most recent eruption was in , but it could become active again at any time. Kennedy visited. The volcano actually remained active for two more years after this date, spewing lava in a powerful display. Additionally, the very first documented eruption was in While the volcano may seem erratic or unpredictable, it is perfectly safe to visit.

If it is ever in danger of erupting in a way that could pose a risk to visitors, the park would be evacuated well in advance. Luckily, this is one of the easiest spots to reach in the country and it does not require much time at all to see the volcano in all its natural majesty. The car or bus trip from Cartago is very quick, so you can begin exploring the park.

While you are making this quick and easy journey, you can also enjoy several of the most scenic sights along the way.

It is the highest active volcano in Costa Rica, as well as the largest in the country, standing at 11, feet tall and square kilometers at its base. The volcano has also made the surrounding area in the park incredible to behold. It is flat and bare for the most part, although shrubs and bushes dot the landscape. A thick rainforest hugs the Caribbean side of the volcano. The volcanic activity has coated the landscape in ash, making the soil highly fertile.

Only those which are acclimated to the harsh conditions can survive. There are also very few animals in the National Park due to volcanic activity. You can, however, still spot robins, owls, hummingbirds, porcupines, rabbits, coyotes, and foxes.

The most popular attraction at this National Park is the climb to the Diego de la Haya crater. While it is a difficult hike, it is a rewarding one. It is also possible to reach the crater with a short drive.

Once you have arrived, you will be treated to a bizarre and unique sight. The crater houses a bright green lake which is meters big.

Remember to wear warm clothing if you are planning to venture to the crater, as it is at a high elevation. If it is a clear day, it is even possible to see all the way to the Pacific or Caribbean Sea.

While this is the most famous hiking trail in the park, there are numerous others for you to explore and discover. North Puntarenas. South Puntarenas.

Map of the Area. Click to enlarge map - Map of the Area. Guanacaste Escape Adventure Tour. See Itinerary. This sector is completely separate from the Crater Sector. It has a different entrance, and you need to purchase separate tickets to visit. From the parking lot, the walk to the main crater is just a quick three or so minutes along a nicely paved path. The path is short, but well vegetated. This sprawling crater is an astounding 1, meters 3, feet in diameter and meters feet deep.

From the viewing area, you can really get a sense of its grandeur. Take a look at our video below to see what we mean. The inside of the crater has varying shades of gray, black, and white from old lava flows and volcanic activity. During certain times of year when it is rainy, there is a beautiful blue-green lake at the bottom.

To the right of the main crater is a smaller inactive crater called Crater Diego de la Haya. You can easily see it from the paved path. From the main viewing area, you can walk left along the fence to see the main crater from different angles.

This takes about 15 or so minutes and is worth doing because you can get some nice views. Just behind the crater and fence is a huge flat area of land called Playa Hermosa Beautiful Beach. This is the remains of an old calderic rim. There is no information about the craters along the trail. Currently, you need to purchase tickets online in advance to enter the park.

Choose your date. For the time, you have to select a specific timeslot. They are on the hour from a. See the Tips section, below, for the best time to visit.

Once you complete the transaction, a confirmation will be emailed to you. Keep this to show the park ranger when entering. They will need the verification number from the reservation to look you up in the system. Irazu Volcano National Park is open every day including holidays from a. The last entrance is at p. Free for children 2 and under. Citizens and Residents: 1, colones adults.

Valid identification required when checking into the park. Before leaving, you must pay at the gift shop and get it validated.

The parking area and trail to the main crater is fully paved. It is handicap accessible. The paved portion ends once you reach the main crater. If you want to explore the area to the left, the terrain is sandy, but hard-packed, flat, and uniform. Irazu Volcano National Park is mainly a project in restoring the beautiful land that was destroyed during its latest eruption. This eruption has not left much of an environment for life to flourish in, but the views more than make up for this.

Once on the summit, visitors will see a chartreuse green crater lake and fumaroles. Both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean along with magnificent views of mountains in every direction can be observed when the weather permits. When coming upon the crater you will notice an unusual coloring of the rainfall, due to the amount of minerals in the atmosphere.

You may not camp in the park, but the trip is a short one from anywhere in the Central Valley. Visitors can make a stop at one of the nearby coffee plantations and botanical gardens on the way. There are hiking trails in Irazu Volcano National Park through oak and pine forest with nice picnic areas. Located in the cloud forest, the weather is fairly predictable.