Volcan Poas
9/30/2009
Parque Nacional Volcan Poas is a short day trip from the San Jose area. A windy, well-signed road leads up to the 2,574 meter peak. Poas is one of the most accessible volcanoes we have visited, in that it is possible to drive to a visitor center that is less than a ten-minute walk from the main crater. Poas is also one of the more expensive park visits we have made. At $24 for the two of us and the van, I was intending to compose a brilliant tirade about the discrepancy in admission prices for nationals versus foreigners. However, my excellent mood precludes any such complaint!!
The main crater contains a steamy 40°C lagoon and countless fumeroles. This geo-thermal steam, combined with the dense cloud cover that forms at altitude, frequently and notoriously creates low visibility at Poas - evidently, often obscuring any view of the main crater from even the observation point along the trail. Consequently, morning is the most opportune time for a visit, particularly during the rainy season.
Intercrater Lagoon at Volcan Poas
Historic lava flows and ash layers
A well-maintained trail connects the main crater to an extinct crater, Laguna Botos. Although significantly cooler, at 14° C, than the main crater lagoon, this 14-meter deep and 400-meter wide lake reflects its volcanic origins with the relatively high acidity of its water and, correspondingly, is only inhabited by extremophilic microbes. The trail continues past Laguna Botos winding further through the elfin forest and returning to the visitor center along trails which, in places, look as if they are cut along a hedgerow.
Well-maintained trails between the Main Crater and Botos Lagoon, Volcan Poas
The extremely dense elfin forest at Volcan Poas
Laguna Botos, Volcan Poas
Parque Nacional Volcan Poas has visitor infrastructure far beyond anything we have experienced thus far in Central America. It is clearly a popular destination for tour groups, with a complete visitor complex and immaculate restrooms. Although the trail network here is relatively minimal, the visit is an interesting and easy half-day trip that is ideal for those seeking a intimate view of a volcanic crater without a treacherous trek.
Us on the trail
Parque Nacional Volcan Poas
Parque Nacional Volcan Poas is a short day trip from the San Jose area. A windy, well-signed road leads up to the 2,574 meter peak. Poas is one of the most accessible volcanoes we have visited, in that it is possible to drive to a visitor center that is less than a ten-minute walk from the main crater. Poas is also one of the more expensive park visits we have made. At $24 for the two of us and the van, I was intending to compose a brilliant tirade about the discrepancy in admission prices for nationals versus foreigners. However, my excellent mood precludes any such complaint!!
The main crater contains a steamy 40°C lagoon and countless fumeroles. This geo-thermal steam, combined with the dense cloud cover that forms at altitude, frequently and notoriously creates low visibility at Poas - evidently, often obscuring any view of the main crater from even the observation point along the trail. Consequently, morning is the most opportune time for a visit, particularly during the rainy season.
Intercrater Lagoon at Volcan Poas
Historic lava flows and ash layers
A well-maintained trail connects the main crater to an extinct crater, Laguna Botos. Although significantly cooler, at 14° C, than the main crater lagoon, this 14-meter deep and 400-meter wide lake reflects its volcanic origins with the relatively high acidity of its water and, correspondingly, is only inhabited by extremophilic microbes. The trail continues past Laguna Botos winding further through the elfin forest and returning to the visitor center along trails which, in places, look as if they are cut along a hedgerow.
Well-maintained trails between the Main Crater and Botos Lagoon, Volcan Poas
The extremely dense elfin forest at Volcan Poas
Laguna Botos, Volcan Poas
Parque Nacional Volcan Poas has visitor infrastructure far beyond anything we have experienced thus far in Central America. It is clearly a popular destination for tour groups, with a complete visitor complex and immaculate restrooms. Although the trail network here is relatively minimal, the visit is an interesting and easy half-day trip that is ideal for those seeking a intimate view of a volcanic crater without a treacherous trek.
Us on the trail
Parque Nacional Volcan Poas
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