Mirador del Cráter del Volcan Poás — Attraction in San Juan

Buy your ticket ahead of time! Wherever you have a solid internet connection, buy your ticket before you get to the park! Lots of visitors, including us, thought you could purchase parking at the entrance. You'll have to pull over and use their wifi to buy the ticket online. It was a very slow process, so do it ahead and have a smooth entrance!

The crater itself is really cool. The landscape is otherworldly. This was my first visit to a volcano. I definitely want to see more. After a while of viewing, myself and many others began to cough - it was a sulfu type smell that was getting to us. This is an acid volcano, so be aware of that. The air quality will vary. There is a steady incline to get to the crater. It's a wide, paved path, which isn't very challenging. Once at the crater, there is a series of lookouts at different heights for multiple vantage points. They are only accessible by stairs built into the mountain. Clouds moved in and out, which made lovely shadows along the surface. It is chilly up there with the wind gusting, so bring a sweater if you get cold easily.

We also wanted to see the lagoon, but the trail we took was the difficult one, which climbs steadily up at like 45 degree angle. There are stones steps too. We only did half the hike since the elevation was affecting me. But it was a beautiful trail and I'd love to...

It is probably the only volcano on earth that you can visit with flip-flops. Even the driveway is so light that it probably makes every car up here.

One is advised early on that one should continue only with on-line ticket. The booking system also has its advantages: It will probably never be overcrowded. After parking, you get a safety helmet with the color of each guide. Interestingly the group go alone after a short advise.

At the top, an attendant waits and meticulously stops the time of 20 minutes as soon as the first of the group has arrived. So, if you dangle on the short way, you have less of the view.

Speaking of views. We had the bad luck to see nothing. At 11:00 in the morning it is already cloudy. So be sure to book the first slot!

Meanwhile, we enjoyed the hummingbirds along the way. The season is probably over, even the souvenir shop and the cafe was closed.

This was not a warm...

An awesome site. I was very lucky to catch it on a cloudless day.

Small and easy hike from the parking lot up to the observation deck. I did not stay too long as I could already taste the sulfur in my mouth so I took my pictures and videos and left. There are some concrete bunker type structures in which to take shelter in case of an eruption.

After leaving the deck I recommend you do the lagoon hike. This is a bit more strenuous but not very difficult if you are in somewhat ok shape. From the lagoon you can either turn back or continue to do a loop. Should you continue, which I recommend since in my opinion that's the most beautiful part of the hike, be prepared for some steep parts on the way down.

The information center has a nice cafeteria and gift shop. Tickets had to be purchased online in advance when I visited in May 2023.

Overall I enjoy...