Volcanoes of Costa Rica
Arenal
In the shape of a cone, the Arenal volcano is approximately
4900 ft. above sea level. Since there is usually some kind of activity it is the
most popular. The last eruption being 1968. Since then, only smaller eruptions
until 1988 with the biggest explosion resulting in 70 dead people and a
destroyed village. These days tourists enjoy time in hot pools, restaurants and
cabins hoping for activity.
The observatory is at the south west side of the volcano,
about 3300 ft. above sea level which got built in 1987 and is also test station
for the university of Costa Rica. Also known as Hacienda Macadamia, it offers 5
rooms with bath and hot water to rent to tourists. Accessible only by jeep as
several rivers must be crossed and roads are in poor condition.
In or near La Fortuna, you will find lots of cabins,
restaurants, souvenir shops, tourist information offices and more. A recently
built discotheque has views to the volcano so you can dance till you drip while
watching an eruption.
Barva
With a height of about 8700 ft. above sea level in the west
part of the Braulio Carrillo National Park. Barva has been extinct for thousands
of years and the small craters are now filled with water. Barva and El Copey
lagoons are easily reached by foot via a trail of about 2 miles through dense
cloud forest vegetation and a picnic spot. There is a steep way leading down the
the lagoon which has a diameter of about 600 ft.
Not frequented by tourists you can enjoy the absolute
quietness at this volcano. Do not forget your binocular as with a little luck,
you will see exotic animals such as the shy 3 toed sloth. You have to register
at the ranger station and pay the entrance fee of US$ 6 per person. Camping is
allowed next to the ranger station. Park is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm.
Irazu and Diego De La Haya
At about 10.300 ft. Irazu is the highest volcano in Costa
Rica which has an active round main crater with a diameter of 3000 ft. and a
depth of about 900 ft. A yellow green lake lets out sulfur steam from the
bottom. The neighbor crater of Diego De La Haya has a diameter of about 2100 ft.
and a depth of 300 ft. It is now extinct and covered with volcanic ash which,
during the rainy season turns into a small lake. The temperature at the volcano
is between 23 and 59 Fahrenheit. Since 1723 some eruptions are documented, the
last have been from 1962 to 1965. Park is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm. Entrance
fee US$ 6 per person.
Poas
In the center of Poas National Park, the active crater has
a diameter of 4500 ft. and a depth of 900 ft. The steaming lake has about 1050
ft. with temperatures from 104 to 158 Fahrenheit. The average temperature at the
volcano is about 54 Fahrenheit.
The amount of activity is slowing but as the smell of moldy
eggs will tell, it will be several thousands of years until it is finally
extinct. The strongest eruption occurred in 1910, when the volcano through out
his ash 5 miles high. The most active period with several small outbreaks was
between 1952 and 1955. A trail leads from the main crater to a smaller crater
with the Boto Lagoon at the bottom, which has a diameter of 1200 ft. and crystal
clear water. The park is open daily from 8 am to 3:30 pm. Fee US$ 6.
Rincon De La Vieja and Santa Maria
Located in the Rincon De La Vieja National Park, Santa
Maria has a height of about 5000 ft. and is extinct, and Rincon de la vieja with
5700 ft. is one of the so-called sleeping volcanoes. South east of the main
crater, you find the Jilgueros Lagoon with a small island in the middle. Access
to the crater is kind of difficult due to the wind and steep hills. The main
attraction is the hot springs of about 113 Fahrenheit, that collect in natural
pools and bubbling mud holes. Park is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm. Entrance per
person 6 US $.
Turrialba
A sleeping volcano in the north east of the Irazu mountain,
the last eruption was in 1866. Since this time, only steam and gas come from the
crater, a sign of the sleeping period. The volcano is undeveloped for tourism
and climbing to its top takes about 6-8 hours. Organized tours are offered.
Miravalles and Tenorio
Miravalles with a height of 6100 ft. and Tenorio with 5750
ft. are not developed for tourism
Orosi
About 4450 ft. high Orosi is located near the Guanacaste
National Park. It is also undeveloped for tourism. Tours are offered. Climbing
up takes about 4 hours.
