A Costa Rica Volcano Tour to Remember

If you’ve always dreamed of exploring a volcano, Costa Rica is the place for you! There are over 60 volcanoes in Costa Rica that are considered extinct or dormant, plus an impressive five that are still active. Better yet, there is an array of activities centered around these impressive landmarks that include hiking, white water rafting, sportfishing, surfing, boating, swimming, kayaking, horseback riding, camping, and mountain biking. If you are looking for outdoor adventure, consider booking a Costa Rica Volcano tour with Gondwana Ecotours today.

Why Are There So Many Volcanoes in Costa Rica?

Resting on the edge of the Pacific Rim’s Ring of Fire, Costa Rica has some of the world’s most magnificent active volcanoes. Today, most of the volcanoes in Costa Rica have become a part of a national park or a protected area. The sheer number of volcanoes in this country is a result of the northeast subduction of the Pacific tectonic plate underneath the Caribbean tectonic plate. This volcanic movement took place more than 75 million years ago, creating the topography of the country today.

Most of the volcanoes in Costa Rica lie in the northern part of the country and the Central Highlands. The enormous craters of these extraordinary natural wonders draw thousands of tourists each year. Part of a Costa Rica volcano tour includes exploring the sulfurous lakes, occasional lava streams, and thermal springs that can be found adjacent to these magnificent formations.

Discovering Costa Rica’s Active Volcanoes

There are five active volcanoes in Costa Rica: Turrialba Volcano, Poas Volcano, Arenal Volcano, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, and Irazu Volcano. An active Costa Rica volcano is defined as one that has erupted in the last 10,000 years. Other volcanoes in Costa Rica are categorized as dormant or extinct.

Below you’ll find a breakdown of each volcano as well as activities in the surrounding area that you can enjoy!

• Turrialba Volcano: This Costa Rica Volcano has been dormant for 105 years, but there’s always the possibility that it may awaken when you visit! Located just 32 miles east of the capital city of San Jose, visiting Turrialba is an unforgettable day trip for tourists. To get to the volcano, drive through the former capital city of Cartago, rolling vineyards, and sugar plantations before arriving at the little village of Turrialba. The volcanic eruptions of the past have made the surrounding area extremely lush, so you will encounter green pastures with horses and cows grazing and wildlife roaming freely. After you visit the volcano, you can tour local coffee and sugar plantations to learn about the local economy.
• Poas Volcano: located in the Poas National Park, the Poas Volcano stands 8,885 feet high and last erupted in 2017. The park is home to an incredible bird population and features an incredible diversity of wildlife for visitors to see. Located near the capital city of San Jose, Paos is one of the most visited Costa Rica volcanoes. Paos’ biggest claim to fame is that it may just be the largest active crater in the world! Measuring over 900 feet deep and a mile wide, two crater lakes have formed near the top of the volcano. One of the lakes is made up entirely of molten sulfur, which is extremely rare. Tourists can drive up to the rim of the volcano to enjoy beautiful views of the volcano, countryside, lakes, and the spectacular forest that surrounds this geological wonder.
• Arenal Volcano: Arenal is one of the most beautiful volcanoes on Earth, and perhaps the most famous in Costa Rica! Once considered dormant, Arenal erupted in 1968, destroying two villages. Since 2010, however, this incredible volcano has lain dormant. Still, Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the most famous destinations for visitors from all over the world. The park is known for its hot springs, hiking, canyoning, kayaking, and zip lines.
• Rincon de la Vieja: Located in the famous province of Guanacaste, Rincon de la Vieja is one of four famous volcanoes off the Gulf of Papagayo. It is considered one of the more unusual and exciting volcanoes in Costa Rica because of its sulfurous lagoons, mud springs, fumaroles, and incredible wildlife. If your vacation has been spent relaxing on the Gulf side of the country, consider adding Rincon de la Vieja as a destination for a very exciting day trip!
• Irazu Volcano: In 1723, Irazu destroyed the then-capital city of Costa Rica in a violent eruption. And, in 1993, the current capital of San Jose was covered in heavy soot and ash after it erupted again. Located less than 60 miles from San Jose, Irazu is a perfect day trip for visitors. The volcano has many active craters, including one with a deep lake with dark green water. Irazu is the tallest Costa Rica volcano, reaching 11,260 feet. The national park surrounding it has 6,000 acres and is full of wildlife for outdoor enthusiasts to see. Since 1994, Irazu has been considered dormant.

What Is The Most Visited Volcano in Costa Rica?

Of all the volcanoes in Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano is perhaps the most popular – and most visited – volcano in the country. Arenal is a top destination for tourists and is often the first volcano on a visitor’s list. Why? Arenal’s unique cone shape, history of dramatic eruptions, and location in a lush rainforest setting make it a bucket-list destination for locals as well as tourists. Adding to the experience are the many outdoor activities offered nearby, including hiking, whitewater rafting, canyoning, and zip lining.

Five Fun Arenal Volcano Facts

The Arenal Volcano is located in western Costa Rica, 53 miles northwest of the capital city of San Jose. The volcano stands 5,358 feet high and is conically shaped with a crater that measures 460 feet in diameter. Considered a young volcano, Arenal is estimated to be less than 7,500 years old. Here are five fun Arenal Volcano facts for you:

• Arenal Volcano is a stratovolcano. A stratovolcano is a volcano with steep sides and a conical shape built up from layers of ash, lava, and other volcanic material. Stratovolcanoes are known for explosive eruptions that can be deadly.
• This Costa Rica volcano is one of Central America’s most active volcanoes. From 1968 to 2010, Arenal was active with frequent eruptions. But since 2010, the volcano has been considered dormant.
• Arenal Volcano is located in Arenal Volcano National Park. The local climatic temperatures around the volcano range from 60.8°F (16°C) in higher altitudes to 75.2°F (24°C) in lower altitudes.
• In its most active years, mini eruptions occurred between 3 to 20 times every day, throwing ash plumes that rose 0.6 miles above the crater, with the direction of the lava flow altering every six to eight months.
• Arenal Volcano is located at the shoreline of Lake Arenal, which is the largest lake in Costa Rica and a major site for hydropower generation in the province.
• Bonus fact: Out of the more than 850 species of birds that live in Costa Rica, more than 75 percent live near the Arenal Volcano!

Take A Dip In Arenal’s Geothermal Springs

One of the most popular sites to see near Arenal Volcano is the Arenal Hot Springs. The geothermal heat from the volcano fuels the area’s hot springs, which are a top attraction for visitors after a day of adventure. The hot springs lie at the base of the Arenal volcanoes, where they have been converted into themed bath areas by the locals to generate supplemental income from tourism. Additionally, several resorts around the hot springs allow tourists to enjoy scenic views of the volcano while soaking in the warm waters!

A Cost Rica Volcano Adventure to Remember

Volcanoes in Costa Rica are one of the most popular sites to visit, so plan accordingly! A tour operator like Gondwana Ecotours can help you plan your volcano sightseeing adventure so that you can hit all the destinations on your bucket list. From Arenal and Rincon de la Vieja to Paos and Turrialba, there’s so much to see in Costa Rica. So, pack your bags and get your passport ready – Pura Vida is calling and you don’t want to be late.