Irazu Volcano National Park

Most visitors opt to explore Irazu Volcano National Park on a day trip from nearby San Jose. It’s possible to take in the highlights on a half-day tour, but a popular choice is to combine a morning in the national park with an afternoon visit to Cartago City and the Oroso Valley.

The park’s star attraction is the 11,260-foot-high (3,432-meter-high) Irazu Volcano, but there are a number of different craters to explore. The Principal Crater is where most visitors start, affording a spectacular view over the crater lakes. From there, around half a mile (1 kilometer) of paths loop around the Diego de la Haya, Playa Hermosa, and La Laguna craters, with overlooks at each.

• There is an admission fee to enter Irazu Volcano National Park, and booking in advance can save time, especially if visiting during busy periods.

• Plan around two hours to visit the park.

• Visitor facilities include a café, gift shop, restrooms, and parking.

• Bring comfortable shoes, sun protection, and a sweater—the high altitude means it can be sunny and chilly at the same time.

• The main overlooks are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

Irazu Volcano National Park is located around 32 miles (52 kilometers) west of San Jose, or about a 1.5-hour drive. Daily buses run from San Jose and Cartago in peak season, but it’s far more convenient to arrive with your own transport or visit as part of a tour. Roads run right up to the top of Principal Crater, making access easy, and the views along the journey are almost as impressive as those in the park.

It’s possible to visit the park all year round, but the dry season (December to April) is by far the most popular. Make an early start if you want to avoid the crowds—most tour buses and day-trippers arrive from 10am onwards. Views are dependent on cloud cover, and visibility is typically best in the early morning. It’s worth hanging around even if it’s cloudy, though, as the weather can change quickly.

After visiting the Irazu Volcano, there are a number of other popular day-trip options from the capital. Arenal Volcano National Park offers rain forest hikes, natural hot springs, and waterfalls, and many tours also include a visit to a coffee plantation along the way. Alternatively, take a canopy walk and spot sloths and monkeys in Manuel Antonio National Park, or set out on a scenic cruise through the wild wetlands of Tortuguero National Park.