Had Enough Of The Sand? Explore Poas Volcano National Park by Jaco Beach

One of the most fabulous things to do while in Costa Rica is to take a day and visit Poas Volcanic National Park. The volcano is 1050 feet deep and a mile (1.6 km) across and is known as one of the largest active craters in the world. Poas Volcano National Park is roughly 70 miles outside of Jaco Beach. So come visit and be assured that the last full force eruption occurred over a century ago when a million tons of ash shot from the volcano.

Take a Day Trip atop Poas

With exciting natural attractions like the Poas Volcano, taking a day off from the beach can be an exciting change of pace. Most tour guides in Jaco Beach will take you into the park and depending on what other attractions you and your family want to see, charge you a flat fee. Or you could drive and only pay the entrance fee, which is $7 or half price for students.

Once you get to the park, you’ll find a museum with interesting information about the volcano and surrounding rainforest, how they were formed and how they contribute to Costa Rica’s environment. There is a small snack shop where you can purchase a drink and a donut, or a sandwich as you return from one of the trails that take you to the top of the volcano, which overlooks the sulfuric lake. Wisps of steam emanating from the lake are caused by water trickling down between the hot rocks.

Poas Volcano Fun Facts

• The size of the Poas Volcano National Park is 13,800 square acres or 22 square miles.
• The highest point in the Park is 8,900 feet at Lake Botos.
• At that elevation, coupled with Costa Rica being so close to the equator, it is important that you wear good sunscreen.
• The temperature typically runs between 45 and 65 degrees and actually frosts at certain times, so you may need a jacket.

The best time to visit Poas Volcano is in the mornings between January and June. The forest surrounding the volcano is a huge rainforest, which invites a large variety of beautiful birds, so don’t forget your camera.