We are not surprised at all that Costa Rica is one of the most desired destinations for travelers. And it is that in its 51 thousand kilometers of extension it is possible to enjoy beautiful beaches bathed by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, a lot of adventure, incredible natural spaces and a rich cultural heritage . As you can see, it offers everything that any tourist could wish for.
Without a doubt, one of the main assets of Costa Rica is nature, which is manifested in all its splendor due to the extraordinary biodiversity of the country. In fact, you can find 29 natural parks, 8 biological reserves, 31 protective areas and 71 wildlife refuges, among other protected areas. Today we want to talk to you about one of these areas: the Poás Volcano National Park . Do you want to discover it? Well, do not miss anything that we tell you below!
Location
As we were saying, today we are moving to Costa Rica to talk to you about the Poás Volcano National Park, the most visited protected wild area in the entire country, something that is not surprising if we take into account its natural wealth. The park is located in the Central Volcanic Mountain Range (in fact, it belongs to the so-called Central Volcanic Mountain Range Conservation Area), and more specifically to the north of the city of Alajuela.
The volcano
With an area of 6,506 hectares, the park has become the most visited protected area thanks to its volcano, one of the most spectacular in the entire country. In fact, its main crater, which is active, is one of the largest on the planet. The volcano, which reaches 2,708 meters above sea level, has a sub-conical shape and its top presents depressions limited by volcanic cones, craters and faults. It is important to note that the volcano has a long history of eruptions (the first documented occurred in 1747). According to experts, gas and water vapor emissions have increased since 1989, which generate clouds of acid rain, thus affecting the vegetation and populations of the area, as well as their crops. Of course, the last eruptive period took place between 1952 and 1954, that is, more than 60 years ago. On the other hand, it is important to bear in mind that thanks to the water and geothermal resources obtained from the Poás volcano, it has become an important source of energy.
The environment
Beyond the volcano, this national park amazes all who have the opportunity to visit it for its scenic beauty. And it is surrounded by lagoons, nature trails and, how could it be otherwise, a great diversity of flora and fauna, especially birds. Thus, we can find here different types of forest (stunted, cloudy, myrtles, very humid …) and a large number of birds (79 different species have been identified). However, mammals are not very abundant, although coyotes, weasels, smelly skunks, rabbits and some felines can be found, in addition to some species of bats. As for the trails, among the main ones we find the Sombrilla de Pobre Trail, with a duration of 10 to 15 minutes; the Laguna Botos Trail, whose route will take the visitor 30 minutes; and the Escalonia Trail, which can be covered in 20 minutes.
Services
Finally, we want to tell you about the services that can be found in the park, which are quite abundant and practical. Thus, there is no shortage of paved roads, avenues, a visitor center, parking, a Red Cross post, cafeteria, craft shops, viewpoints, lunch areas, trails, and restrooms. Then we leave you with our gallery , where you will find more images of this beautiful park in Costa Rica. Do not miss it!
