Day 12. Irazú volcano and San Jose

Submitted by maria on Wed, 21/09/2022 - 13:13

A spectacular day is dawning but road 32 is still closed. We'll have to come up with a plan B.

Irazú volcano

Breakfast starts at 7.30 and we want to be at the Irazú Volcano first thing in the morning, so we leave without breakfast.

The Irazú Volcano is half an hour from Cartago and one hour by car from San José. Even if you don't have a car, you can take a bus (they leave from Calle 1-3 and Avenida 2 just in front of the Hotel Costa Rica), a good option for activities near the capital. The access road is in good condition, you don't need a 4x4.

Irazú volcano National Park

At 3,432 metres, Irazú is the highest volcano in Costa Rica. It has three craters and impressive views. The Irazú Volcano National Park is divided into two sectors, Prusia and Cráteres.

Tickets for both sectors can be obtained online at the SINAC website. If you don't have them before you arrive, in the Craters sector (15 $pax) the rangers will provide you with a wifi so you can connect and buy them. Parking is not included, you will have to pay 2,000 colones in the cafeteria for the car, which will go to the Red Cross. In the Prusia sector (5 $/pax) there is no coverage or wifi, remember you have to buy the tickets before. The entrance fee includes parking. Visiting hours from 8 am to 4 pm.

Main crater

The Craters sector is the most visited area. Due to the altitude it is best to visit early in the morning as it is usually covered by mid-morning. In this sector you can see 3 craters, the main crater, Playa Hermosa and the crater Diego de la Hoya.

The main crater is about 300 metres deep and there is usually an emerald coloured lagoon inside. We were not lucky enough to see it, there was very little water of a brownish-yellow colour.

The crater Diego de la Hoya is named after the governor of Cartago in 1723 when the volcano had a strong eruption. It has a small lagoon which is practically dry.

Diego de la Hoya crater

Playa Hermosa, you can walk through this ancient ash-covered crater.

There is a lookout point before entering the car park with good views, although the inside of the main crater is not very visible.

Playa Hermosa

Recommendations. Closed shoes and warm clothes, the temperature usually drops to 5 degrees Celsius. Visit the volcano early in the morning as it is usually covered by clouds.

In general, we were a bit disappointed with the Craters sector. The route is very small and the views of the main crater are not very good. There is no elevated platform and to see it you have to climb the protective fence. The surroundings are nice but expensive for what they offer.

From the viewpoint

The Prusia sector has a network of 16 km of trails. This forest of pines, firs and myrtles allows you to enjoy the park in a different way. The trails are simple and well marked.

We combined the Los Abuelos and El Roble trails. It has a viewpoint with good views and a singular tree that is said to be haunted.

Prusia sector

It starts to rain and we return to the car. In this area the land is very fertile despite the altitude, they have large plantations of lettuce, tomatoes, onions....

We stop to fill up with petrol (960 colones/litre) and buy some bananas, guava empanadas (delicious) and a coke for 2.000 colones.

Prusia sector

We arrived in San José to drop off the car at the Green Motion office on Paseo de Colón. The guys are very friendly and we drop off the car without any problems.

Although we are a 20-minute walk from our hotel, a storm threatens, so we hail a taxi that takes us to our accommodation, for 2,000 colones, near the Cultura square.

Prusia sector

The Hotel Nuevo Maragato is located next to the Cultura square in a very noisy pedestrian street. The room with bathroom is fine but the noise is quite annoying, we are only going to spend one night.

We are worried about whether road 32 has been opened, the hotel told us that it was opened this afternoon but that we would have to wait for the 7 pm news. As we are close to the Caribbean Bus Terminal, we walk and ask. At the ticket office they don't want to sell it to us just in case, but in principle the road is still open and there should be no problem.

National Theatre

We return to Avenida Central and look for something to eat. The centre of San José is quite safe, there are police everywhere, but the feeling is different. Lots of people begging and a lot of commotion. It is a commercial area and there is a lot of bustle.

The Cultura square and the National Theatre are the highlights.