Costa Rica’s 5 best volcanoes!
Costa Rica is a land of contrasts which creates a destination that will always surprise you and is a favorite with everyone who visits. Whether you are a beach devotee, a mountain hiker, love being out on the water, or a volcano enthusiast, Costa Rica has it all. This translates to adventure, wildlife, unforgettable memories, and some adrenaline thrown in for good measure. For the volcano lovers, Costa Rica has lots to choose from depending on what you prefer. Let’s explore Costa Rica´s 5 best volcanoes!
Costa Rica´s best-known volcanoes are distributed in two mountain ranges. The Irazu Volcano, Poas Volcano, and Turrialba Volcano are located in the Central Volcanic Range and can be visited during your stay in the Central Valley. You will actually see them as you fly in the Juan Santamaria Airport near San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city.
The Rincon del Vieja Volcano, Tenorio Volcano, and Arenal Volcano are found in the Guanacaste Volcanic Mountain Range and can be easily visited while enjoying the white-sand beaches of Guanacaste or the adventure capital of Costa Rica, Arenal. What all the volcanoes have in common is that they are unique, adventure laden and are visited by a myriad of birds and wildlife.
1. Arenal Volcano
Arenal Volcano could well be Costa Rica’s most famous landmark. This cone-shaped volcano is a sight to see and while in a sleep state at present, continues to be a favorite for travelers to Costa Rica.
Arenal Volcano is also surrounded by a wonderland of adventure activities, bird-watching hotspots, rainforests, and lots of great places to stay. A must-do while visiting Arenal Volcano is to relax in the mineral-rich thermal springs, courtesy of Arenal
2. Poas Volcano
Poas Volcano peers over the Central Valley and is a great one-day tour if you are staying in San Jose. Its coffee plantation-covered slopes, quaint rural villages, and fantastic views of the sprawling cities below complement a visit to Poas.
A visit to Poas Volcano means you can look down into its crater, one of the biggest in the world. Thanks to its recent activity, visiting times are restricted but what a great introduction to volcano life.
3. Rincón de la Vieja Volcano
Rincon de la Vieja Volcano is a mountain of adventure! Its slopes are filled with adrenaline-rush experiences in nature including ziplining, rappelling, mud baths, tubing down a river, and some therapeutic thermal springs after a day of thrills!
Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park offers a number of trails that will take you around fumaroles, boiling mud baths, waterfalls. It is a great opportunity to enjoy the amazing views of Guanacaste and its vast savannas that reach the inviting Pacific Ocean.
4. Irazú Volcano
Irazu Volcano is another Central Valley gem that allows you to look down into its crater. Its moon-like appearance is apparent as you walk around the crater’s edge and through the mist that comes and goes.
Irazu Volcano is also Costa Rica’s highest volcano reaching an impressive 11260 feet and on a good day, you can see both the Pacific and the Caribbean coasts. Its slopes are covered in rich, agricultural farmlands and fields of yellow dandelions, perfect for photo ops.
5. Tenorio Volcano
While the Tenorio Volcano may be the lesser-known of Costa Rica´s 5 best volcanoes, it holds one of the countries most beautiful treasures in the form of a blue river. Thanks to some minerals laying on the riverbed and the sun’s rays, an optical illusion is created in the form of a turquoise blue river.
Tenorio Volcano can be seen in the distance as your hike along the Rio Celeste riverbank, but the blue is the big attraction here. It also boasts a stunning waterfall, a blue lagoon, and a day immersed in the rainforest.
Costa Rica is a land of volcanoes, beaches, rainforests, and adventure! Our 5 best volcanoes are perfect for exploring and enjoying. All belong to the Costa Rican national park system, so they abound in wildlife and birds too! Let Travel and Birding Costa Rica take you to the best volcanoes in Costa Rica while doing the best birdwatching!
