The Poás Volcano National Park is located in the Central Highlands of Costa Rica in the Alajuela province. Rising up to 8,885 ft (2,708 m), Poás remains one of Costa Rica's largest and most active volcanoes. At almost a mile in diameter (1.6 km), the crater's rain-fed, sulfuric pool bubbles and emits smoke. Although the last major eruption was in 1910, the volcano remains steadily active to this day, and visitors can still see geysers exploding into the air, some reaching as high up to 820 ft (250 m). It also has had eruptive activity in 2009 involving minor eruptions and landslides within the northern active crater.

Located 1.5 hours from San José, Poás is a popular day trip for travelers staying in the country’s capital. The 47 km(29 mile) drive navigates along coffee and flower farms, many of which line areas of the park. The best time to visit is during the morning hours (before 10am) from January to April during the week. Weekends are usually crowded with Ticos (Costa Ricans) and clouds normally roll in around mid-afternoon, making it difficult to enjoy the scenery. On a clear day, however, it’s possible to see both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts from the summit, as well as its gurgling, steaming crater.

Poás National Park, is the most developed within the Costa Rican park system. It offers ample parking, bathrooms, and an exhibit hall and auditorium, where audiovisual presentations are given on Sunday. Upstairs is the Heliconia Nature Store run by the Fundación Neotrópica, plus the pleasant Café Botos, serving coffees, cappuccinos, and snacks such as muffins, sandwiches, and pizzas. There is wheelchair access to the exhibits and trails. The park has no accommodations, and camping is not permitted. However there are some nearby cabins if you wish to stay close.

It is recommended to use sunscreen because of the altitude as well as a jacket due to the cool temperatures and winds. The temperatures range from 45ºF - 70ºF with about 140 inches of precipitation annually.

The volcano provides an excellent example of the effects of acid rain. Around the caldera, and for several miles downwind, the vegetation is stunted brown and black by the tainted moisture that precipitates from the omnipresent clouds near the peak.
There are well-kept but short trails around the craters and into the forest. The “Crater overlook trail” is 750 meters (half mile) long, and it’s a paved road that winds around and right to the crater. The side trail, which takes 20 or 30 minutes to walk, leads to the interesting Botos Lake. The “Escalonia Trail” (named after a tree of the same name), also takes about thirty minutes to walk, and it takes you through the forest. It is important to keep in mind that the weather here is extremely humid, and that even if it does not rain, you will need good shoes for muddy paths, as well as a raincoat and sweater.

Botos Lagoon which contains cold water connects to the Rio Angel, and later to the large Rio Sarapiqui. Lake Botos is home to many cloud forest birds including hummingbirds, tanagers, flycatchers, toucanets, Costa Rica's national bird the clay-colored robin, and the spectacular quetzal. There are 79 species of birds in the park.

Among the mammals found here, are the coyotes, long-tailed weasels, skunks and some small felines. If you see a green-yellow squirrel, it is the Poas green-yellow squirrel, and it is only found in this park, and nowhere else in the whole world!
The lower slopes of Poás Volcano are covered with fruit farms and huge ornamental flower farms. Most of the roses, lilies and other flowers grown in this region are exported to florists in the United States.

A great nearby attraction is the La Paz waterfall, which is only twenty minutes away from the park. It is the most photographed waterfall in Costa Rica. There is also a butterfly garden next to the waterfall. Visitors to the park will not want to miss out on it.
Poaz Volcano is an impressive volcano that allows visitors to come see it in all its glory up close. One can also enjoy the trails and nature that surround the volcano.