National park · Costa Rica
Poás Volcano National ParkParque Nacional Volcán Poás
Enter Poás Volcano National Park for ₡5,500 per person (≈$10) and hike the Main Crater view (15 min) in the morning; for a longer walk to Botos Lagoon (2 km (1.2 mi), 1 h) add ₡8,000 (≈$15) and go Dec–Apr to avoid clouds.Enter Poás Volcano National Park for ₡5,500 per person (≈$10) and hike the Main Crater view (15 min) in the morning; for a longer walk to Botos Lagoon (1.2 mi (2 km), 1 h) add ₡8,000 (≈$15) and go Dec–Apr to avoid clouds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
approximate
Established
1994
Best months
Dec–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
- Central Valley ↗SJO (Juan Santamaría) is in Alajuela, about 20–30 min from central San José; most international arrivals land here.
- Central Valley ↗The valley floor sits around 1,100–1,200 m; nights are cool (10–15 °C) and rain is common May–November.
- Central Valley ↗San José traffic is heavy on weekdays; drive outside 07:00–09:00 and 16:00–18:30 when you can.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Area
- 50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
- Park covers about 50 km² of volcanic terrain; figures may vary slightly between sources.
- Established
- 1994
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Poás Volcano National Park protects an active stratovolcano with a large crater, a cloud‑forest environment, and the acidic Botos Lagoon, offering short, accessible hikes and panoramic views.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1994.
Size and age
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²) · national park since 1994
Park covers about 50 km² of volcanic terrain; figures may vary slightly between sources.
Why go
- See the active crater of one of Costa Rica’s highest volcanoes.
- Visit the acid lake Botos Lagoon on a short forest trail.
- Enjoy cloud‑forest scenery and abundant birdlife.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- Jandry, clear mornings
- Febdry, clear mornings
- Mardry, clear mornings
- Aprdry, clear mornings
- Mayearly rain, still good views
- Junmore rain, clouds possible
- Julrainy, fog common
- Augrainy, fog common
- Seprainy, occasional fog
- Octdry start of dry season
- Novdry, good visibility
- Decdry, clear mornings
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (e.g., tanagers, hummingbirds)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Amphibians and insectsMar–Aug | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From San José
Drive north on Route 120/146 (≈45 km (28 mi), 1 h); follow signs to Poás Visitor Centre.Drive north on Route 120/146 (≈28 mi (45 km), 1 h); follow signs to Poás Visitor Centre.
1 h
Open the page →
From Alajuela
Bus (TUASA) leaves 9:00, returns 12:30; stops at the park entrance.Bus (TUASA) leaves 9:00 AM, returns 12:30 PM; stops at the park entrance.
≈2 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre | Ticket office, museum, café, restrooms, parking. | Open daily 07:00‑13:15Open daily 7:00 AM‑1:15 PM |
| Main crater viewpoint | Panoramic view of the crater and Botos Lagoon. | Accessible from centre via short paved path. |
| Botos Lagoon trail | 2 km (1.2 mi) forest trail to the acid lake.1.2 mi (2 km) forest trail to the acid lake. | Open; guided optional. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official SINAC page; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (visitor centre) | CRC 5,500–6,000 | person | Includes Main Crater viewpoint |
| Botos Lagoon trail (guided optional) | CRC 8,000–10,000 | person | Guide not required but recommended |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- CRC 5,500–6,000
- CRC 8,000–10,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on SINAC – Poás Volcano National Park official page before you go.
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.check
- Stay on trails
- Off‑trail walking can damage fragile vegetation.
- No litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
- No feeding wildlife
- Feeding disrupts animal behavior.
Where to stay
Near the park
Alajuela
Hotels, hostels, and guesthouses 20 km (12 mi) away.Hotels, hostels, and guesthouses 12 mi (20 km) away.
Near the park
Poás town
Small inns and cabins close to the park gate.
Safety
Volcanic gas medium
Sudden fog medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre and Main Crater viewpoint have paved paths and wheelchair‑accessible ramps.
- Botos Lagoon trail is uneven; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stick to marked trails to protect fragile cloud‑forest vegetation.
- Buy food and souvenirs from local vendors to support the community.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Poás Volcano National Park?
Entry is ₡5,500–6,000 per person (≈$10). The Botos Lagoon trail adds a optional fee of ₡8,000–10,000.
What are the best hikes in Poás Volcano National Park?
The Main Crater viewpoint (15 min) and the Botos Lagoon forest trail (2 km, about 1 h) are the most popular. Both are easy to moderate.
When is the best time to visit Poás Volcano National Park?
Visit in the dry season, especially Dec–Apr, for clear mornings and good crater views. Early mornings reduce fog.
Can I drive to the park myself?
Yes. From San José drive north on Route 120/146 (≈45 km, 1 h). Parking is available at the visitor centre.
Is the park open year‑round?
Generally open daily 07:00‑13:15, but it may close temporarily for volcanic activity; check before travel.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go