Volcanic Landscape

Arenal Volcano

A striking volcanic cone rises above the rainforest near La Fortuna.

Barva Volcano

A forested volcanic summit hides a peaceful crater lake in the clouds.

Irazú Volcano

Costa Rica’s tallest volcano has a cool summit landscape with several craters.

Miravalles Volcano

Guanacaste’s tallest volcanic peak connects forests, water and geothermal energy.

Poás Volcano

A broad volcanic crater reveals the forces that shape Costa Rica’s mountains.

Rincón de la Vieja Volcano

Steam vents and bubbling mud reveal heat beneath a forested volcanic landscape.

Tenorio Volcano

Forested volcanic peaks rise above the landscape of Río Celeste.

Turrialba Volcano

Three summit craters tell part of Turrialba’s volcanic story.

Nature Field Guide

Arenal Volcano

Spanish name: Volcán Arenal
Scientific name

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Volcán Arenal and learn how volcanoes help shape Costa Rica.

Identification

Key Features of the Arenal Volcano

A steep cone-shaped silhouette.
Gray volcanic rock above green slopes.
Old lava formations along designated park trails.

Habitat & range

Near La Fortuna de San Carlos, Alajuela, in the northern plains.

Conservation & care

Explore with an adult. Follow staff instructions, authorized trails, barriers and closures. Leave rocks, plants and wildlife in place and carry out litter. Do not climb the volcanic cone or enter its restricted surroundings.

Plan Your Visit

Arenal Volcano National Park — main visitor entrance

Getting There

From La Fortuna, follow Route 142 toward Lake Arenal and the signed national-park entrance. Start your walk at the ranger entrance and use the marked visitor trails.

Before You Go

This destination is the national-park visitor entrance. It is not a summit trail. Confirm current entry arrangements and open trails with SINAC.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

Nature Field Guide

Barva Volcano

Spanish name: Volcán Barva
Scientific name

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Volcán Barva and learn how volcanoes help shape Costa Rica.

Identification

Key Features of the Barva Volcano

A crater lake surrounded by forest.
Mossy trees and damp vegetation.
Mist around rounded forested slopes.

Habitat & range

Heredia province, in the Barva sector of Braulio Carrillo National Park.

Conservation & care

Explore with an adult. Follow staff instructions, authorized trails, barriers and closures. Leave rocks, plants and wildlife in place and carry out litter. Stay on marked forest trails and out of the crater lake.

Plan Your Visit

Braulio Carrillo National Park — Barva sector entrance

Getting There

Approach via Heredia, Barva, San José de la Montaña, Paso Llano and Sacramento. SINAC recommends a four-wheel-drive vehicle. From the entrance, walk the marked trails toward Laguna Barva.

Before You Go

Check the final road conditions and reservation requirements before leaving. This is a cool, wet mountain hike; bring suitable footwear and rain protection.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

Nature Field Guide

Irazú Volcano

Spanish name: Volcán Irazú
Scientific name

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Volcán Irazú and learn how volcanoes help shape Costa Rica.

Identification

Key Features of the Irazú Volcano

Broad crater depressions.
Gray volcanic ground.
Low vegetation and mist at high elevation.

Habitat & range

Cartago province, in the Central Volcanic Mountain Range.

Conservation & care

Explore with an adult. Follow staff instructions, authorized trails, barriers and closures. Leave rocks, plants and wildlife in place and carry out litter. Bring suitable layers for the cold summit and remain behind crater barriers.

Plan Your Visit

Irazú Volcano National Park — Craters sector

Getting There

From Cartago, follow the signed road toward Irazú and the Craters sector. Use the visitor parking and marked paths to the crater viewpoints.

Before You Go

Choose Sector Cráteres when reserving; Sector Prusia is a different forest visitor area. Check current admission arrangements with SINAC.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

Nature Field Guide

Miravalles Volcano

Spanish name: Volcán Miravalles
Scientific name

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Volcán Miravalles and learn how volcanoes help shape Costa Rica.

Identification

Key Features of the Miravalles Volcano

A high green volcanic mountain.
Forested foothills.
Geothermal features in parts of the surrounding area.

Habitat & range

Bagaces area, Guanacaste, near Guayabo.

Conservation & care

Explore with an adult. Follow staff instructions, authorized trails, barriers and closures. Leave rocks, plants and wildlife in place and carry out litter. Confirm authorized access with the site operator. Keep away from vents and hot mud; geothermal facilities are not play areas.

Plan Your Visit

Las Hornillas — Miravalles foothill geothermal visitor attraction

Getting There

Navigate to Las Hornillas near La Fortuna de Bagaces in Guanacaste. Check in with the operator for its geothermal visitor route and available activities.

Before You Go

This is a privately operated foothill attraction, not the Miravalles summit or a national-park entrance. Confirm admission, tours and child suitability with the operator.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

Nature Field Guide

Poás Volcano

Spanish name: Volcán Poás
Scientific name

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Volcán Poás and learn how volcanoes help shape Costa Rica.

Identification

Key Features of the Poás Volcano

A very wide main crater.
Exposed volcanic rock and crater walls.
Cloud forest around the volcanic landscape.

Habitat & range

Alajuela province, in the Central Volcanic Mountain Range.

Conservation & care

Explore with an adult. Follow staff instructions, authorized trails, barriers and closures. Leave rocks, plants and wildlife in place and carry out litter. Follow park instructions about volcanic gases, protective equipment and time at viewing areas.

Plan Your Visit

Poás Volcano National Park — visitor entrance

Getting There

Travel through Poasito and follow signs to the national-park visitor entrance. Continue to the viewpoint only along the authorized visitor route.

Before You Go

Book through the SINAC reservation system. Volcanic activity can change access; confirm current opening and follow ranger instructions.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

Nature Field Guide

Rincón de la Vieja Volcano

Spanish name: Volcán Rincón de la Vieja
Scientific name

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Volcán Rincón de la Vieja and learn how volcanoes help shape Costa Rica.

Identification

Key Features of the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano

A broad volcanic mountain profile.
Steam rising from geothermal openings.
Bubbling mud and mineral-stained ground in designated viewing areas.

Habitat & range

Guanacaste Volcanic Mountain Range, near Liberia and Upala.

Conservation & care

Explore with an adult. Follow staff instructions, authorized trails, barriers and closures. Leave rocks, plants and wildlife in place and carry out litter. Never touch mud pots, vents or thermal water. Stay behind geothermal barriers.

Plan Your Visit

Rincón de la Vieja National Park — Las Pailas sector

Getting There

Approach from the Liberia area and follow signs through Curubandé toward Las Pailas. Begin at the ranger entrance and follow the marked geothermal visitor trails.

Before You Go

Reserve the correct sector with SINAC and check current opening days. The map is for Las Pailas visitor access, not the active summit crater.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

Nature Field Guide

Tenorio Volcano

Spanish name: Volcán Tenorio
Scientific name

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Volcán Tenorio and learn how volcanoes help shape Costa Rica.

Identification

Key Features of the Tenorio Volcano

Multiple forest-covered volcanic peaks.
Dense tropical vegetation.
The blue-toned Río Celeste landscape below the massif.

Habitat & range

Northern Costa Rica, between Alajuela and Guanacaste; the park spans parts of Upala, Guatuso, Cañas and Tilarán.

Conservation & care

Explore with an adult. Follow staff instructions, authorized trails, barriers and closures. Leave rocks, plants and wildlife in place and carry out litter. Do not enter Río Celeste inside the national park or approach geothermal openings.

Plan Your Visit

Tenorio Volcano National Park — El Pilón visitor entrance

Getting There

Navigate to the El Pilón entrance for the Río Celeste visitor trails. Start at the ranger station and remain on marked trails.

Before You Go

This destination provides forest and Río Celeste access, not a summit climb. Reserve through SINAC. Entering the river is prohibited inside the park.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.

Nature Field Guide

Turrialba Volcano

Spanish name: Volcán Turrialba
Scientific name

What Do Pico & Tati Think?

Join Pico and Tati to discover Volcán Turrialba and learn how volcanoes help shape Costa Rica.

Identification

Key Features of the Turrialba Volcano

An elongated summit profile.
Several summit craters.
Exposed volcanic surfaces above vegetated slopes.

Habitat & range

Turrialba canton, Cartago province.

Conservation & care

Explore with an adult. Follow staff instructions, authorized trails, barriers and closures. Leave rocks, plants and wildlife in place and carry out litter. Use only authorized visitor routes and follow all guide, gas-monitoring and protective-equipment instructions.

Plan Your Visit

Turrialba Volcano — Finca Monte Calas / El Tapojo access

Getting There

The official approach uses the El Tapojo sector on cantonal route 020 through Finca Monte Calas. Confirm the meeting point and road conditions with the authorized guide before driving.

Before You Go

Reservations are arranged through the park. An accredited, trained guide and protective equipment are required. This is a demanding hike; confirm suitability for children and current volcanic restrictions.
Visit information reviewed October 8, 2026. Confirm current access before travel.