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Lake at the bottom of a volcanic crater surrounded by rocky walls.

Costa Rica · Poás & Irazú

Volcanoes: what is open and what is not

Status of the craters and trails at Poás, Irazú, Turrialba and Barva in late September 2026, with current restrictions.

7 places4 closed or restricted, flagged

  1. Poás Volcano (crater viewpoint)1

    Photo: Peter Andersen, CC BY 2.5

    NatureRestricted access

    Poás Volcano (crater viewpoint)

    Route 120 via Poasito, about 37 km north of Alajuela0.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    $16.95
    Hours
    8:00 to 16:00
    Booking
    Required

    One of the world’s largest active craters, about 1,320 m wide, with a hot acidic lake seen from a viewpoint at the end of a short paved path.

    Since 27–28 August 2026 a green alert has been in force for earthquakes, eruptions and gas: daily capacity halved, a maximum of 56 people per turn at the viewpoint, mandatory helmets and only two trails open (the main one to the viewpoint and Sombrilla de Pobre). It can close at short notice; if it does, Irazú is the nearest alternative with a visible crater.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Poás · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $16.95 for foreign adults ($5.65 for children 2–12), VAT included. Light-vehicle parking: ₡2,750, by card.
    Hours
    Daily 8:00 to 16:00, last entry 14:00 (SINAC). It can close or cut capacity at short notice.
    Booking
    Mandatory, online only and prepaid. No gate sales.
    Time needed
    About 20 minutes at the crater viewpoint per turn (according to press and guides).

    Tip: Book the first morning slot: cloud usually fills the crater by midday.

    Nearby: Botos Lagoon trail (Poás) (1.1 km) · Sombrilla de Pobre trail (Poás) (1.4 km) · Poasito strawberry farms (5.9 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Poás · Infobae – Costa Rica refuerza medidas en el volcán Poás · Delfino.cr – CNE declara alerta verde en el Poás

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  2. 2

    NatureClosed or prohibited

    Botos Lagoon trail (Poás)

    Poás Volcano National Park, east of the main viewpoint0.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A short trail through stunted cloud forest to Botos Lagoon, a cold, extinct crater about 400 m wide next to the active one.

    It is not among the trails enabled under the August 2026 green alert (only the main trail and Sombrilla de Pobre) and is marked closed on OpenStreetMap. It had already been closed from 2017 until a later reopening. Visit the main viewpoint and ask rangers whether it has reopened.

    Source: Infobae – Costa Rica refuerza medidas en el volcán Poás · 2026 · +1

    Cannot be saved: it is closed or prohibited.

    Practical details and sources

    Nearby: Sombrilla de Pobre trail (Poás) (0.5 km) · Poás Volcano (crater viewpoint) (1.1 km) · Poasito strawberry farms (5 km)

    Sources: Infobae – Costa Rica refuerza medidas en el volcán Poás · La Nación – Visitantes del Poás ya pueden caminar por sendero de laguna Botos

  3. 3

    NatureRestricted access

    Sombrilla de Pobre trail (Poás)

    Poás Volcano National Park, near the visitor centre1.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    Included in the park ticket
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A short cloud-forest trail named after the giant-leaved ‘poor man’s umbrella’ plants; it is the walk that complements the crater visit.

    Open under the August 2026 green alert, but with mandatory helmets and within the park’s reduced capacity. It can close with the rest of the park if activity rises.

    Source: Infobae – Costa Rica refuerza medidas en el volcán Poás · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: According to a SINAC statement reported by Delfino.cr (3 October 2024), the trail is 800 metres long and the park had three wheelchairs for those who needed them. Check with the protected area before you go. It is not confirmed that they are lent today, and the current Poás restrictions apply.

    Nearby: Botos Lagoon trail (Poás) (0.5 km) · Poás Volcano (crater viewpoint) (1.4 km) · Poasito strawberry farms (5.1 km)

    Sources: Infobae – Costa Rica refuerza medidas en el volcán Poás · SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Poás · Delfino.cr – Trece áreas protegidas con sectores de accesibilidad (comunicado de SINAC, 3 oct. 2024)

  4. Irazú Volcano (Craters sector)4

    Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC0

    NatureOpen

    Irazú Volcano (Craters sector)

    Route 219, about 31 km north of Cartago48.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    $16.95
    Hours
    8:00 to 16:00
    Booking
    Required

    The country’s highest volcano (3,432 m), with five craters and an ash landscape; on clear days both oceans are visible. You can drive almost to the rim of the main crater.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $16.95 for foreign adults ($5.65 for children 2–12), VAT included. Parking: ₡2,500 (Craters sector) or ₡3,000 (Prusia), by card.
    Hours
    Daily 8:00 to 16:00. Last entry: 14:00 in Craters and 13:00 in Prusia.
    Booking
    SINAC says tickets for both sectors are sold online only. They are not refunded if the crater is clouded in.

    Tip: Arrive around 8:00 and bring a warm layer (5–9 °C on average). In late September 2026 OVSICORI recorded a swarm of about 70 earthquakes near the volcano, with no closure announced: check SINAC notices before you go.

    Nearby: Prusia sector (Irazú) (4.3 km) · Turrialba Volcano (10.7 km) · Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels (14.4 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú · Monumental – ¿Qué pasa en el Irazú?

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  5. 5

    NatureOpen

    Prusia sector (Irazú)

    Southern slope of Irazú, via Tierra Blanca de Cartago47.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    $16.95
    Hours
    8:00 to 16:00
    Booking
    Required

    Oak and pine forest on Irazú’s southern slope, with 16 km of tracks, picnic areas and trails such as El Roble, La Gruta and Cabeza de Vaca.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú · 2026

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Same fee as Irazú: $16.95 for foreign adults; parking ₡3,000.
    Hours
    8:00 to 16:00, last entry 13:00.
    Booking
    Online only through SINAC’s system.

    Nearby: Irazú Volcano (Craters sector) (4.3 km) · Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels (10.5 km) · Santiago Apóstol church ruins (Cartago) (10.8 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú

  6. Turrialba Volcano6

    Photo: Dominic Sherony, CC BY-SA 2.0

    AdventureRestricted access

    Turrialba Volcano

    Santa Cruz de Turrialba, access via Tapojo and Montecalas farm55.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    $13.56
    Hours
    5:00 to 10:00
    Booking
    Required

    The country’s second-highest volcano (3,340 m), active since 2010. The guided hike climbs to a viewpoint over the craters with views, on clear days, of Irazú, Poás and the Caribbean lowlands.

    It reopened in December 2020 after eight years closed by eruptions, but entry is only with an accredited tour guide, via the Montecalas farm route and with protective gear; people with mobility problems are not admitted. It closed from 18 to 26 August 2026 because of rain and can close again for weather or activity.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Turrialba · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $13.56 for non-residents over 13 (VAT included), paid by card at the booth; the guide is paid separately.
    Hours
    SINAC lists 5:00 to 10:00 in the dry season and 6:00 to 10:00 in the rainy season; an August 2026 press note says 8:00 to 15:30. Confirm when booking.
    Booking
    You must book the guide service (SINAC lists phone 8704-2432). There are no visitor facilities.

    Nearby: Guayabo National Monument (9.5 km) · Irazú Volcano (Craters sector) (10.7 km) · Prusia sector (Irazú) (14.9 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Turrialba · La República – Volcán Turrialba reabrirá tras ocho años de cierre · Delfino.cr – Guayabo y Volcán Turrialba reanudan atención al público

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  7. 7

    NatureOpen

    Barva Volcano (Braulio Carrillo National Park)

    Sacramento de Barva, Heredia; last 3 km on a dirt road14.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    $13.56
    Hours
    8:00 to 15:30
    Booking
    Not stated

    The high sector of Braulio Carrillo, with cloud forest and four trails (about 10 km in total) reaching Barva Lagoon, a water-filled crater, and a lookout toward Vara Blanca.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $13.56 for non-residents over 13 and $5.65 for children 2–12 (VAT included). Camping: ₡5,000 per person per night.
    Hours
    Daily 8:00 to 15:30, including holidays. Camping only Friday to Sunday and holidays, entering before 15:00.
    Booking
    Ticket bought online through SINAC’s system.

    Tip: The last stretch from Sacramento is unpaved: a 4x4 is recommended, especially in rain. Bring warm and waterproof layers.

    Nearby: Poasito strawberry farms (8.7 km) · Hacienda Alsacia (Starbucks coffee farm) (8.8 km) · La Paz Waterfall Gardens (9.1 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo · Adobe Rent a Car – Volcán Barva

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