Poas Volcano

The Poás Volcano, located in the Central Valley near San Jose, is one of the most popular active volcanoes in Costa Rica. This National Park, over 8000 feet above sea level, consists of 15,000 acres of land that encompasses at least four different habitats. The Poás Volcano National Park is full of biodiversity with over 80 different species of birds and many plants that are able to withstand the acid rain of the area. Surrounded by dense forests, the three craters of the volcano are one of the country’s most thrilling attractions. The Laguna Caliente, the northern lake, is one of the most acidic crater lakes and measures one mile wide and 900 feet deep, holding the position of one of the largest active craters in the world. This crater is especially appealing due to its ability to change color based on acidity levels, with colors ranging from light blue and green to yellow and grey. It has geysers that can spray up to 600 feet, making it one of the highest geysers worldwide. To the south of the Laguna Caliente is a second extinct crater that now contains a beautiful lake, Botos Lagoon, which is surrounded by verdant cloud forests. The third crater, called the Von Frantzius crater, is a long-extinct crater that is only accessible to the fittest and most active hikers.