Irazu Volcano National Park — travel information and destination guide providing you with what you'll need to get to the summit.

From the summit of Irazu Volcano National Park reaching 3,800m (11,000 ft), it is possible to see the Caribbean and the Pacific. Costa Rica's highest volcano, Irazu has been silent for the better part of 30 years. It erupted in 1994 unexpectedly but quieted.

In 1963, it erupted upon US president John F Kennedy's visit to Costa Rica when it continued to spew ash for two years. Although active in the past, it has been relatively silent recently.

Irazu National Park — getting there is an easy half hour of travel to Irazu Volcano National Park from San Jose

Visitors can reach the top ridge, walk along the rim of the main crater and look across at the gorgeous green lake. The park was established in 1955 and protects 2,309-hectares (5,700-acres) of land around the base of the volcano.

The Irazu main crater is 1,050m (3,40 ft) wide and 300m (1,000 ft) deep. The secondary crater (Diego de la Haya) is 690m (2,300 ft) wide and 100m (330 ft) deep. There is a third crater, which is smaller and slowly being colonized by vegetation.

There is a small tourist information center and this site with a coffee shop. Cloud cover starts around 10 a.m. and it's best to visit early. It can be windy at the summit and there's a possibility of rain and is advisable to bring rain clothes.

Irazu National Park Hiking Trail

There's a 1-km (0.6 mi)  trail that leads to a viewpoint over the craters. Located behind the latrine, there is a trail that is longer and steeper and gets closer to the craters. Along this trails it's possible to see the bird species called volcano junco.