NATIONAL PARKS IN COSTA RICA

VOL. 2: POAS, IRAZU, TURRIALBA

Costa Rica vacations are never complete without a visit to one of its great reserves or parks.

With 161 parks and reserves encompassing more than a quarter of this tiny, tiny country, Costa Rica boasts a staggering 5% of all animal species on this planet!

Think about it: one out of every 20 kinds of animal species.

More types of butterflies here than on the entire African continent.

As many species of birds as in the entire United States.

In this volume, we'll show you Poas Volcano National Park, Irazu Volcano National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, the spectacular Osa Conservation Area--described by National Geographic as the most "biologically intense" place on the face of the earth, and much more.

Plan to visit one of these great places on your Costa Rica vacation!

And, click if you have not seen Vol. 1 of National Parks in Costa Rica.

National Parks in Costa Rica: Poas

Poas is a terrific place to visit on Costa Rica family vacations because the road to it ends just a short walking distance from the craters.

It's one of the largest active volcanoes in the world though its last major eruptions were in the mid 50's.

That is not to say it is lying complete dormant. Indeed, on Christmas Day 2009, travelers visiting in on their Costa Rica vacation were treated to a. . . burp. . . spewing gas, and rocks nearly half a mile high! Poas Volcano National Park.

A tip: the very best time to see the active caldera (the second largest on the planet) is early in the morning and on a weekday when the Tico families are at work or in school.

If you don't have a car, you'll find lots of tours to Poas (which typically combine other stops as well, like La Paz waterfall, the largest in the country) or, if you prefer to save money, there are morning buses from San Jose that are very cheap but which fill early.

Another tip: bring a snack or lunch (or load up at a fruit stand on the way up) if you travel Costa Rica to Poas because there is a pleasant picnic area but not a great snack bar nearby.

Click for Costa Rica Bus schedules

National Parks in Costa Rica: Irazu

Irazu is just outside of Cartago, a pretty little town (with WAY too much traffic) but as you travel up the slopes to the crater (which, like Poas, can be reached by vehicle), you'll pass dairy farms and fertile vegetable fields.

Like Poas, fog tends to come in late in the mornings but it is not uncommon for the clouds to lie below the summit (you won't know until you get there) and on absolutely clear mornings you'll experience something visually sensational: you'll be able to see both the Pacific Ocean AND the Atlantic Ocean from the same spot!

Irazu is the only place on the planet where visitors can stand over an active volcano and see the world's two great oceans simultaneously.

Welcome to Costa Rica vacations! Click to go to Irazu Volcano National Park

Temperatures are very similar to those on Poas so bring a warm jacket.

Irazu overlooks the Orosi-Cachi Valley where, among other things, you'll be able to visit Lankaster Gardens, one of the most valuable botanical gardens in the Western Hemisphere and home to about 3,000 species of plants, including 1,000 different kinds of orchids.

Now owned by the University of Costa Rica, the Garden was established nearly a century ago and, if you're a plant lover, this is a must-see place.

National Parks in Costa Rica: Turrialba

Her name is Turrialba and she's one of the least visited Costa Rica national parks, probably because unlike Irazu and Poas, the road is, well, sometimes problematic.

But, Turrialba is the only active Costa Rica volcano where visitors are allowed to traipse down into the crater itself---except when they are not allowed.

Confused? This huge volcano lay essentially dormant for some time and park rangers allowed visitors to walk down into it. However, when 2009 closed, she began acting like she might be ready to reawaken, sometimes sending ash high into the sky.

So, if you're into a bit of Costa Rica adventure, and willing to brave a little fire and brimstone at times, include this on your Costa Rica vacation itinerary.

Click to learn more about Turrialba Volcano,

What's Your Favorite Park?

Have a particular park or preserve that you adore? Or a great story about your park experience? Tell us all about it!