This 6500Ha park is one of the oldest and best known national parks in Costa Rica. The centrepiece of the park is the Poas Volcano (2704m), which has been active since well before records started in 1828. There have been three major periods of activity, 1888 to 1895, 1903 to 1912 and 1952 to 1954 occasionally geyser eruptions continue, and from 1989 to 1991 gas emissions led to acid rain. At the present time, the spectacular crater is a bubbling and steaming cauldron but doesn't pose an imminent threat.

The mountain is composed by composite basalt. The huge crater is 1.3km wide and 300m deep. Because of toxic sulphuric acid fumes, visitors are prohibited from descending into the crater, but the view down from the top is very impressive. Poas' second crater lake, Laguna Botos, is located a short trail to the south.

Apart from Poas itself, there is a dwarf cloud forest near the crater. Here you can wander around looking at the bromeliads, lichens and mosses clinging to the curiously shaped and twisted trees growing on the volcanic soil. Birds abound, especially hummingbirds such as the fiery-throated and magnificent hummingbirds, which are high altitude specialties of Costa Rica; and the scintillant hummingbirds, which measuring 6.5cm from bill to tail, this may be the second smallest bird in the world. Also you might encounter the mountain robin, brown jay, as well as the resplendent quetzal, which has been reported here.

37 km north of Alajuela
Opening hours: From 8:00 to 16:00