The Irazu Volcano National Park is located near the Irazu Volcano that fumes and steams all the time. As you travel the southern slopes of the volcano to reach the park, you come across fields of potato, cabbage and onion.
To reach the Irazu Volcano National Park, you may take the Pan American Highway from San Jose to Cartago. Then you need to reach Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles and climb 19 miles to Irazu. You can also travel from San Jose through Guadalupe, Rancho Redondo and Tierra Blanca on 218. From Tierra Blanca, you need to climb 6 miles to the Irazu. A bus service is also available apart from taxi services.
The Irazu Volcano National Park is the most popular of the national parks in Costa Rica. Thousands of tourists take day trips from San Jose to view the crater and the surrounding natural beauty. There are several craters in the region and they are lined by trees and mineral water pools. There is also a visitor center that displays and explains volcanism. The best time to visit is from December to April. This area is above the clouds and there are chances of getting wet at all times. A parka or a windcheater is highly recommended. The extreme heat of the region may also cause sunburns and hence, required precaution is necessary.
Camping and accommodation are not allowed in the Irazu Volcano National Park and you may want to stay at Cartago. There are daily tours from San Jose also.
When you visit the Irazu Volcano National Park, you can also visit the coffee farms of the region. The Lankester Botanical Gardens just out of Cartago is well known for its orchids. The entire area is a rainforest and the butterfly and hummingbird gardens are especially popular. Those who love adventure rides may want to consider the 2,300 meter ride down from the volcano to the central valley.
There are also hiking trails available for over ½ a mile from the main crater at Diego de la Haya to the craters at Playa Hermosa and La Laguna.
