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Irazu Volcano Photos

Irazú Volcano National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most popular because of it’s proximity to San José and the good paved road all the way to the crater.  From the top the views into the emerald and turquoise lakes of the main crater and across the mountains and lowlands are equally spectacular.

We’ve visited several times and it’s been amazingly different each time.  The color and size of the lakes varies with recent rains and activity levels and the weather can change in minutes.

There is a trail map but the trails are a bit vague because the cinder and pumice rim of the craters are like one big gravel parking lot easy to wander on.  Head out along the crater rims and then return along the treeline for a different perspective.  There is an abandoned mirador restaurant on the short road (sometimes closed to vehicles but you can walk up) south of the parking lot and visitors center.  The views from the top are spectacular on a clear day.

It takes about an hour to drive to the top and the gates close promptly at 3:30 p.m. (see herding tourists below).  Mornings are also much clearer and in the afternoons the clouds move in, the wind picks up and it can be downright frigid at 11,260 feet above sea level.  The views across the countryside and the views into the craters and lakes can be obscured so get an early start.

Herding tourists
Herding tourists – The rangers at Irazu volcano drive their pickup out onto the rim every day at 3:15 and start herding the tourists back towards the exit so the park can close by 3:30
Clouds on Irazu
Clouds on Irazu – Irazú Volcano would be capped with rainy paramo and cloud forest if the toxic gases and volcanic activity didn’t turn the peak into a moonscape
Window through the clouds to the Caribbean lowlands
Window through the clouds to the Caribbean lowlands
Volcan Irazú
Volcan Irazú
USGS survey marker on top of Irazú
USGS survey marker on top of Irazú
Crater lake, Irazu Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Crater lake
Moonscape, Irazu Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Moonscape
Irazú Volcano National Park trail and attractions map
Irazú Volcano National Park trail and attractions map
The picnic area at volcan Irazú has more hummingbirds than mosquitoes
The picnic area at volcan Irazú has more hummingbirds than mosquitoes
Cloud forest around the rim of volcan Irazú
Cloud forest around the rim of volcan Irazú
Sombrillos de pobre wilting
Sombrillos de pobre wilting in the incredible intensity of the tropical sun on top of volcán Irazú
Sombrillos de pobre
Sombrillos de pobre
Yellow flower
Yellow flower
Tiny figures cross ash
Tiny figures cross the desert like ash field, Irazu volcano, Costa Rica
Crater Diego de la Haya, Irazu
Crater Diego de la Haya
Main crater sign, Irazu Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Main crater
Crater Diego de la Haya, Irazu Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Crater Diego de la Haya
Crater lake
Crater lake
Tiny Hikers
Tiny Hikers (near center just emerging from the trees) in a huge crater at volcan Irazú
Crater lake
Crater lake
Volcan Irazu
Volcan Irazu
Radio and television towers
Radio and television towers
Volcano Irazú
Volcano Irazú
Shrubs and scrub forest around the rim
Shrubs and scrub forest around the volcano rim
Picnic area, Irazu Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Picnic area, Irazu Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Gift shop and visitor center Irazú volcano
Gift shop and visitor center Irazú volcano
From the road
From the road up the volcano
Peak of Thunder
Peak of Thunder
Irazu crater
Irazu crater

Ray & Sue

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Costa Rica National Park Photos
  • Tortuguero Beach – National Park & Sea Turtles Nesting
  • Tortuguero Village & Canals Photos
  • Savegre National Park
  • La Cangreja National Park Photos
  • Carara National Park Photos
  • Irazu Volcano Photos
  • Tenorio Volcano Photos
  • Tortuguero Photos
  • Turrialba Volcano Photos
  • Arenal National Park Photos



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