What to see and do at Poas Volcano, Costa Rica

The 8,885 ft. Poás Volcano is an active volcano located in the province of Alajuela in central Costa Rica

It has a main caldera that is the second largest in the world, with a diameter of approximately 1 mile and a depth of 900 feet. 

It has erupted more than 40 times since 1828 and it erupted 7 months after we visited here on 8/20/2016.  Since then, access has been limited and it twice erupted in 2019.   Lake Botos is the the original crater of the volcano and it last erupted in 7,500 BC.

 The area around the volcano is protected by the Poás Volcano National Park, which is a popular tourist destination known for its scenic beauty and unique geology. However, due to its active nature, access to the crater may be restricted  and or time limited  due to safety concerns.

Looking for things to do? Viator does offer a similar tour to the volcano. Click here for details.

Model of the volcano showing the original Lake Botos crater and the current active crater. The visitor center is located at the bottom center of the photo.

The active crater of Poas Volcano has a diameter of approximately 1 mile and a depth of 900 feet. 

Lake Botos is the the original crater of the volcano and it last erupted in 7,500 BC.

The trail from the visitor center to Lake Botos.

View from the slope of the Poas volcano to San Jose.

Some of the vegetation near the visitor center on the volcano.

A sloth on the side of the road up to the volcano.

A Coatimundi near the visitor center.