Chasing Clear Skies: A Perfect Morning at Costa Rica's Poás Volcano
Picking the right day to visit this unique volcano is really the biggest challenge and we picked the perfect day. Being one of the "cloud forests" in Costa Rica, the crater is quite often covered over with dense mist and fog. But it was clear, sunny and warm when Rob and I visited. We made sure we were there (second car) when the park opened at 8:00 am which meant leaving Norma's at 7:00 am. Others there had commented how this was their third or fourth attempt at seeing the sight without cloud. Some said they had seen only glimpses as the clouds moved on and off.
As we walked up to the crater's edge it really was the most awe inspiring sight we have ever seen. The intensity of colours, smells and textures were amazing.
Poas is not the highest or the most active of Costa Rica's volcanoes but it is the only one with two craters-one active and one filled with a cold water lake surrounded by a dense jungle. The main crater holds the only place where a lake of liquid sulfur can be found and boiling sulphurous gases spew regularly from the steam vents surrounding the crater. Poas also allows the viewer to get right up to the crater, driving up to 600m. from the rim and walking up to the edge. The main crater is found at an elevation of 2708 m., measures 1.5 km across with the inner crater lagoon measuring 400 m. in diameter. Occasionally the emissions of sulphur gas reaches amounts that closes the park for a short time. Obviously the day we were there the levels weren't that high but when a gust of wind blew by the distinctive ordour made you aware of it's presence.
Vegetation surrounding Poas has been stunted or totally destroyed in places but you can see shades of green on the lava flows where plant life once again is springing forth. Walking through the dwarf forest to the crater holding Lake Botos is a fascinating experience. It is dense and jungle like, moss growing and covering everything. Tough ferns and bonsai type trees are kept stunted due to the acid rain. The air is noticeably cool but not too far overhead you can see the sun as most of the trees are no more than 20'. Tropical plants and flowers cover the forest floor and animal life can be heard but hard to see. Coming into the clearing at the end of the trail reveals beautiful Lake Botos, emerald green in colour and quite surreal. Pictures really do not do sights like this justice!!
Poas National Park is home to over 75 species of birds including hummingbirds and the Quetzal. Small mammals like the coyote and skunk also call this home. Nature lovers of all ages and abilities can enjoy the well maintained trails of "Parque Nacional Volcan Poas"!!
We choose to hire a taxi and the driver stayed with us for the six hour complete trip (3 at the park). Costs to get into the park were c11800 ($24.00 approx.) for two non-resident tickets, one resident (our driver) and one parking space. Taxi cost c30000 ($60.00)
As we walked up to the crater's edge it really was the most awe inspiring sight we have ever seen. The intensity of colours, smells and textures were amazing.
Poas is not the highest or the most active of Costa Rica's volcanoes but it is the only one with two craters-one active and one filled with a cold water lake surrounded by a dense jungle. The main crater holds the only place where a lake of liquid sulfur can be found and boiling sulphurous gases spew regularly from the steam vents surrounding the crater. Poas also allows the viewer to get right up to the crater, driving up to 600m. from the rim and walking up to the edge. The main crater is found at an elevation of 2708 m., measures 1.5 km across with the inner crater lagoon measuring 400 m. in diameter. Occasionally the emissions of sulphur gas reaches amounts that closes the park for a short time. Obviously the day we were there the levels weren't that high but when a gust of wind blew by the distinctive ordour made you aware of it's presence.
Vegetation surrounding Poas has been stunted or totally destroyed in places but you can see shades of green on the lava flows where plant life once again is springing forth. Walking through the dwarf forest to the crater holding Lake Botos is a fascinating experience. It is dense and jungle like, moss growing and covering everything. Tough ferns and bonsai type trees are kept stunted due to the acid rain. The air is noticeably cool but not too far overhead you can see the sun as most of the trees are no more than 20'. Tropical plants and flowers cover the forest floor and animal life can be heard but hard to see. Coming into the clearing at the end of the trail reveals beautiful Lake Botos, emerald green in colour and quite surreal. Pictures really do not do sights like this justice!!
Poas National Park is home to over 75 species of birds including hummingbirds and the Quetzal. Small mammals like the coyote and skunk also call this home. Nature lovers of all ages and abilities can enjoy the well maintained trails of "Parque Nacional Volcan Poas"!!
We choose to hire a taxi and the driver stayed with us for the six hour complete trip (3 at the park). Costs to get into the park were c11800 ($24.00 approx.) for two non-resident tickets, one resident (our driver) and one parking space. Taxi cost c30000 ($60.00)
Main Crater - sulfuric steam rising from the vents - notice that we are higher than the clouds!
Liquid Sulfur Lake
Life returns to where lava once flowed
Small bonsai-like trees on the one side of the crater
Notice how close you get to the crater edge!
Dense Dwarf Forest
Beautiful Lake Botos
View of Poas and Lake Botos from the air.
Hard to imagine that those 2 craters are at the top of a 9200 foot mountain - - -
when viewing this photograph that includes more of the surrounding terrain.
Hard to imagine that those 2 craters are at the top of a 9200 foot mountain - - -
when viewing this photograph that includes more of the surrounding terrain.
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