Costa Rica car rentals and Volcan Poas National Park

Costa Rica is home to one of the most beautiful, and dangerous, landscapes in the world. That is because the country is home to a number of active volcanoes, including the famous Volcan Poas. One of the most visits volcanoes in all of Costa Rica, Volcan Poas is located just a short drive from San Jose inside the Parque Nacional Volcan Poas. The volcano is so close to the city that most travelers in Avanti Costa Rica car rentals will likely be able to spot the cusp of the giant basaltic volcano (it stands at an altitude of 2,708 meters or 8,200 feet above sea level) from their hotel windows.

About the volcano

One of the most attractive features of the Volcan Poas is that fact that travelers in Costa Rica car rentals can walk all the way to the edge of the volcano's main crater. This crater, which has a diameter of 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) doesn't look like your average volcano, however. Instead of discovering dark red lava inside its depths, travelers in Costa Rica car rentals will find a deep blue pool of sulphurous gases. But that doesn't make the volcano any less dangerous. In fact, Volcan Poas has a long history of eruptions dating back nearly 11 million years! In 1910, the volcano was recorded spewing forth some 640,000 tons of ash, and between 1952 and 1954, the volcano bombarded the neighboring areas with rock and ash regularly. Since then, the Volcan Poas has maintained a relatively low profile; the last major scare was in 1989 when the Volcan Poas National Park was closed due to dangerous sulphurous gas emissions.

Other interesting features in the park

Two other craters are located inside the Volcan Poas National Park: the extinct Von Frantzuis crater and the Botos Lagoon crater. Travelers in Costa Rica car rentals are encouraged to hike the trails that circle the Botos Lagoon crater, as it boasts a landscape that is both beautiful and menacing. One popular Costa Rica tourist information website describes the Lagoon as “the perfect spot for the stereotypical Indian sacrifice - throwing a young maiden into the mouth of a crater.” The Botos Lagoon is also saver to visit as it contains only cold water that connects to the Rio Angel, and eventually the Rio Sarapiqui.

The habitats of the Volcan Poas National Park

Travelers in Costa Rica car rentals will discover four unique habitats inside the Volcan Poas National Park, which is amazing, given the parks relatively small size (56,000 hectares). The four habitats are as follows: areas with scare vegetation, a stunted forest, a cloud forest, and an area of arrayans. This diverse landscape is evidence of Costa Rica's incredible biodiversity. Travelers in Costa Rica car rentals will discover more than 79 different species of birds in the park, as well as some of the world's most exotic plants. Animals abound in the park as well, including long-tailed weasels, coyotes and skunks. And who could forget about the Poas green-yellow squirrel? This oddly colored animal is extremely rare, and as its name suggests, can only be found in the Volcan Poas National Park.

Getting to the park

Travelers in Cost Rica car rentals will find the Volcan Poas National Park 47 kilometers from San Jose. The route is well marked by signs, so finding your way should be no problem; simply follow the public buses out of the city and through San Pedro de Poas. Before embarking on the trip, remember to pack a lunch, water and snacks - there are no places to eat inside the park.

The Volcan Poas National Park is one of the most visited protected areas in Costa Rica. Remember to bring long your camera; not only is the drive to the park scenic, but the La Paz waterfall, the most photographed waterfall in the country, is located just a short 20 minute jaunt outside the park. Volcanoes and waterfalls all in one trip - talk about an amazing Costa Rica car rentals road trip opportunity!