Poas Volcano National Park

Like the other volcanoes in the Central Volcanic Cordillera, the silhouette of Poas Volcano as seen from the Central Valley gives no hint of the power and pent-up fury below the surface. But once at the summit and standing on the crater's rim, it becomes easier to understand the forces that have shaped this region of the planet.

Poás Volcano is one of Costa Rica's most active volcanoes where minor volcanic activity can be seen, such as fumaroles that constantly produce gas and steam from the main crater.

This national park has easy access, a 49 kms / 31 miles drive from San Jose, the capital city. The surrounding areas of the Poas Volcano National Park had developed a lot, with several restaurants, souvenir shops, cafeterias and some attractions for those planning a one day tour to the area such as zip lining tour, a coffee tour, nature walks and the famous La Paz Waterfall Gardens, which is the most visited privately own attraction of the country, featuring nature trails to waterfalls and an animal exhibit that shows more than 100 native species to Costa Rica, like frogs, snakes, wild jungle cats (like jaguars, ocelots, pumas, margays), birds, monkeys and the largest butterfly garden in Central America.

At this elevation, wildlife is not particularly abundant, but there is usually a fair amount of bird activity. Some of the more common species are the Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager, Slaty Flowerpiercer, Mountain Eleania, Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush, and Black-and-yellow Silky-Flycatcher.