Juan Castro Blanco National Park protects mid-elevation wet forest and high altitude cloud forest on the slopes of three extinct volcano peaks, Porvenir (2,267 meters), Platanar (2,183 meters), and Viejo (2,060 meters). Currently the government is in the process of purchasing the remaining private property that lies within the parks boundaries and has not yet started on any improvements such as parking or trails.

In the Region

Stop of at the incredible topiary garden in front of the town church where you will see bushes and shrubs shaped into elephants, archways and even an oxcart.

On your way towards Juan Castro Blanco you traverse the lower slopes of Poás Volcano which are covered with fruit farms and huge ornamental flower farms. Most of the roses, lillies and other flowers grown in this region are driven to Juan Santamaria airport in the central valley then shipped air-express to Miami where they are put on planes headed to all parts of the United States and Canada. You have probably seen some of them at your local florist.

We stopped in at the processing station of one of these farms where they were happy to give us a spontaneous tour. You will probably never see more flowers in one spot.