Poas Volcano National Park
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Poas Volcano National Park
Poas Volcano National Park

Poas Volcano National Park

Free admission
Open daily
Highway 126, Poasito, 4050

The Basics

Poas Volcano makes for a thrilling day-trip destination from San Jose, as tours regularly depart from the city for the volcano and often combine a visit with other popular Costa Rica activities such as white-water rafting, coffee plantation tours, or a stop at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

There, admire the mile-long (1.6-kilometer-long) crater home to the deep, rain-fed Botos Lagoon and dotted with smoking fumaroles—a view most will find accessible via the paved trail. Two slightly longer hikes offer incredible opportunities to spot wildlife like hummingbirds, wildflowers, and the elusive quetzal.

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Poas Volcano National Park Half day tour from San Jose
Poas Volcano National Park Half day tour from San Jose
star-4.5
USD110.00 per adult
Traveller Favourite
Got a private tour with...
Got a private tour with my brother on accident so that was fun. The tour guide was really knowledgeable and a funny guy.
charles_b, May 2023

Recent reviews from experiences in San Jose

Good fun time
star-5
Good fun time
Daniel_G, May 2023
Full Day Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Coffee Plantation Experience
Great sights and had a fun time on the van ride with other tourists, too. I've never been so close to an active volcano before.
Outstanding time! Day well spent!
star-5
Outstanding time! Day well spent!
Herbert_Y, May 2023
Full Day Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Coffee Plantation Experience
The La Paz Waterfalls and Refuge were amazing! I simply couldn't put my phone away from snapping photos. Our Guides Adonis and Olman truly made it a family affair even though I was traveling alone. I learned so much about the coffee, the volcano, and all the wonderful animal rescues. Pura Vida!
We added the extension...
star-5
We added the extension...
IrmaLynn_R, Apr. 2023
Poas Volcano National Park Half day tour from San Jose
We added the extension for a full day experience, was it worth it!! This was our favorite tour. Edgar was WONDERFUL.
I had a wonderful time ...
star-5
I had a wonderful time ...
Valerie_C, Mar. 2023
Doka Coffee Tour, Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Day Trip from San Jose
I had a wonderful time The tour guide made it a great experience I would recommend this tour and tour guide
So great! Ask for alejandro!
star-5
So great! Ask for alejandro!
Constantina_P, Mar. 2023
Coffee Experience and Poas Volcano Half Day Trip from San Jose
This day was excellent. The guide we had was Alejandro. He was wonderful, so informative. The coffee tour was great, loads of info and so informative. The volcano was beautiful and really enjoyed his wise words and knowledge. Overall highly recommend. The guide was superb, speaks english perfectly and answered all questions! Wonderful, thank you
Excellent One Day Tour
star-5
Excellent One Day Tour
Rebecca_H, Apr. 2023
Full Day Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Coffee Plantation Experience
Our tour guide Olman was great. We only had 5 people in our group so it was very relaxing. All the sites / stops were great.
1/2 day tour
star-4
1/2 day tour
anthony_d, Feb. 2023
Poas Volcano National Park Half day tour from San Jose
I was super excited about this tour, I enjoyed the quick stop at the coffee plantation and enjoyed the included breakfast. But the weather was windy and misty at the volcano so wasn’t able to see the crater so that was a major bummer.
Cloudy but happy!
star-4
Cloudy but happy!
pierre_c, Feb. 2023
Coffee Experience and Poas Volcano Half Day Trip from San Jose
A glimpse at the Poas crater in between 2 clouds, excellent information provided by the guide. Great group to be with!
Fun
star-5
Fun
Michael_S, Apr. 2023
Full Day Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Coffee Plantation Experience
Great one day trip to see a few of the amazing places. Really enjoyed looking at the volcano as we were lucky to see before the clouds rolled in. The animal sanctuary was fun to get close to a few of the birds.
Best Tour
star-5
Best Tour
Treree_B, Jan. 2023
Doka Coffee Tour, Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Day Trip from San Jose
Hands down, the best tour. The transportation was prompt, the tour guide was excellent, and the tour was enjoyable.
It was an amazing...
star-5
It was an amazing...
LeahMay_S, Apr. 2023
Full Day Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Coffee Plantation Experience
It was an amazing experience! I would highly recommend to do this tour. Guide was fantastic and super helpful!
Great but could be Fantastic
star-4
Great but could be Fantastic
CECILIA_Q, Feb. 2023
Poas Volcano National Park Half day tour from San Jose
It was a nice tour, they picked up on time and we have a nice trip to Poas VOLCANO. We stopped for breakfast but the waitress didn't speak English very well and he didn't understood when other tourists asked about other options for breakfast. I think they could do it much better. Unfortunately, the volcano area was very foggy but I enjoyed the walk.
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Things to Know Before You Go

  • Dress in layers and prepare for rain, as it can be cold and wet near the crater.

  • Visiting time is limited to 10 minutes at the crater.

  • The visitor center is wheelchair accessible.

  • On-site facilities include parking, picnic tables, restrooms, and a café with some food options.

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How to Get There

The easiest way to visit Poas Volcano is as part of a guided day tour. The park is also accessible via private transportation, but bus services to Alajuela are sparse.

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When to Get There

Get the best views when you visit early in the day during the dry season (December through April). Clouds typically roll in around noon, and many of the park’s facilities close by 3pm.

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Other Costa Rican Volcanoes

The Poas Volcano is far from Costa Rica's only volcanic attraction, and geothermically inclined visitors should make a note to visit the Irazú Volcano, also home to a crater lake, or the popular Arenal Volcano. Guided hiking, adventure, or sightseeing tours depart for Costa Rica's volcanic hotspots daily.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the nearest attractions to Poas Volcano National Park?
A:
Q:
What else should I know about attractions in San Jose?
A:
As well as visiting the Poas Volcano National Park, check out these trip ideas to make the most of your visit: