Parque Nacional Volcan Poas

Parque Nacional Volcan Poas, in the province of Alajuela (just over an hour from San Jose), has one of the most accessible active volcanic craters in the country, with a lookout point near the main crater.

Hours: daily, from 8:00am to 4:00pm, including holidays.

Entrance fees:

• Non-residents: $15 per person; non-resident child: $5.
• Nationals and residents: ₡1,000; national/resident child (2 to 12 years): ₡500.

Reservation: ticket purchase is 100% online and MANDATORY for all visitors — entry is not allowed without a prior reservation. It is done at sinacweb.sinac.go.cr, selecting the conservation area, the park, the date, and a 1-hour arrival time slot (maximum 50 visitors per slot). Slots are released about 4 weeks in advance.

Note: due to the active nature of the volcano, access to the crater lookout may be temporarily closed due to seismic or volcanic activity — confirm the status of the park at sinac.go.cr before traveling.