POÁS VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK

Visiting

• Poás Volcano National Park.
• Coffee Tour.
• La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

Passing through Alajuela City, Juan Santamaría and Central Park/Knickname

How Poas Volcano National Park Became a Park

The Poás Volcano National Park is located 37 kilometers north of the city of Alajuela. It has a maximum elevation of 2,708 m above sea level, registers a minimum temperature of 6 ºC and a maximum of 21 ºC, as well as an average annual rainfall of 3,500 mm. It is an active volcano with a subconical shape, with several calderic depressions in its upper part. At the bottom of the main crater, a lagoon rich in sulfur and acids forms periodically, which, when dry, intensifies the emission of sulfur and produces acid rain.

History

The Poás Volcano National Park was established in 1955 with an approximate land area of ​​1,200 ha. With the ratification of 1970 and subsequent expansion of its territory Executive Decree No. 22961-MIRENEM, of January 19, 1994, the extension of the park reached 6506 ha.

The Spaniards called this area botos, referring to a group of indigenous people who populated the northern slopes of the volcano. The term Poás can be derived from the Latin name “Púas” due to the presence of some plants with spikes in the area or the existence of a town called “Púas” located near the massif.

The Poás Volcano has a history of eruptions, where the one in 1910 stands out, which consisted of an immense cloud of ash that rose up to 8,000 m. This National Park is one of the most important natural attractions for national and international tourism.