PARQUE NACIONAL VOLCÁN POÁS

The craters must be seen early in the morning to best appreciate the gaseous manifestations against a backdrop of blue skies and valley views. It's a unique opportunity to tread the lunar lands of a volcano in full activity! No fewer than 40 eruptions have taken place since 1828. The first crater, 300 m deep, measures over 1.5 km in diameter. Until a few years ago, a lake of hot sulphurous water lay at the bottom of the crater, but the volcano's increased activity has accelerated evaporation, leaving very little of it. A tiny emerald-green crater, created by the last major eruption in 1954, has sprung up inside the crater. The second crater (Botos) is filled with cold water (Laguna Botos). It can be reached by foot in 20 minutes, from the observation point at the main crater. In the surrounding area, you can see the damage done to the surrounding vegetation by the acid rain, itself caused by the volcano. The "poor man's umbrella" (la sombrilla del pobre ), whose leaves are ideal for protection from the rain, has been disfigured by holes, and coffee crops are less attractive around the volcano than in the rest of the valley. The volcano is also surrounded by dense rainforest, home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.

Clouds of steam and fumaroles are easily observed from a platform on the southern rim of the immense crater. People with respiratory problems or sensitive eyes should limit their time on site, but in any case it's advisable not to stay more than 20 minutes at the crater rim. Emissions are sometimes so high that the park closes for a few days. If you're afraid of sulfurous gases, a handkerchief soaked in vinegar water should get you close enough to the crater. In 2017, the park closed for over a year, as the fumes were too dangerous. Access to the crater, picnic area and trails is still possible. However, check the official SINAC website before you go, as the volcano is in full activity and access conditions are subject to change at any time. Altitude can be colder than San José's mild temperatures, so remember to bring a little wool and a raincoat if it's the rainy season.