Poas Volcano, Poas Volcano National Park

If you are fortunate enough to visit on a day when you can see the crater, it's a 5 star experience. If you arrive and find it covered in clouds, the experience is a disappointment because you can't see anything. All of the other trails in the park are closed, so you can only go to the main crater and you are limited to 20 minutes. That is enough time to see it, but I would have liked to hike around on the other trails. This is an active volcano and you can smell the sulfur at various times depending on the direction of the wind. The volcano had a small eruption a couple of weeks before I was there and had just opened up again. NOTE: you must purchase your tickets online OR buy them at the small shop a couple of miles prior to the entrance on the left side of the road. I recommend you buy them in person. They have a live webcam of the crater and you will know if it is covered in clouds or if it is visible. There are concrete shelters at the crater viewing area and air quality sensors too. They take safety seriously. There was no alarm or issue while I was there, but once the wind direction shifted and we were engulfed in sulfur gas, we understood the 20 minute time limit. Breathing was uncomfortable and unpleasant for any longer.

Beautiful. Bring a scarf or mask.

Very nice and beautiful

The crater was covered in cloud so there wasn’t anything to see, and the tour lasted just 20 minutes. Overall the experience was below our expectations

First time so near with an active volcano. Clear view. The temperature is 10-12 degree Celsius, bring along sweater or jacket if you think you cannot stand cold