Poás Volcano Tour: Explore Costa Rica's Geothermal Wonder

Discover Poás Volcano’s bubbling lake, steam geysers, and the world’s largest active crater. Experience Costa Rica’s geothermal marvel safely.

Duration: 45 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Poas Volcano - The Poas is a volcano that rises to 2,708 metres above sea level, since 1989 has increased markedly the emission of gases causing acid rain phenomena that have damaged the flora in some sectors of the Park and surrounding agricultural plantations to the area. At the top there are two craters, the principal of 1.5 km in diameter and…
What's Included
  • All Fees and Taxes
What's Not Included
  • Private transportation
  • Parking fee ($5)
Additional Information

Poás volcano is a powerful symbol of the geothermal forces that formed Costa Rica. When the mist and clouds part you’ll see the sulfuric, bubbling, green rain fed lake at the bottom, surrounded by smoke and steam rising from fumaroles. Water from the lake is constantly seeping through cracks in the hot rock, evaporating and building pockets of steam….

Location
Poas Volcano
Cr130,
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.3
(24 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Daniela_a
Sep 25, 2025
Highly recommended - Impossible to go with stroller, it became much more comfortable to go with babysitting for my baby although if it is medium difficult the walk. I arrived early and could appreciate very well and time for photos, but when I returned from the lagoon there was already a lot of fumarole and it was no longer appreciated the same.
Review provided by Viator
Karinebotelho
Sep 17, 2025
Pretty giant! - We bought the tickets online and saw the crater and some of the lagoon! It is worth climbing up to the lake boots, everything very well marked and preserved! The staff is very friendly, we love everything! Come early!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hal72
Apr 1, 2025
Well worth the trip, great show. - Trip was from our Lodge to Poas. Nice drive. The crater is, currently, somewhat active. The Park Service controls access to fixed-size groups, provides hard hats, and limits time at the crater to allow others to funnel through. Our visit was on a clear day. Wonderful views of the crater and the active, bubbling vents. A rather vigorous walk uphill from the visitor's center two the crater.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Passenger11284975299
Mar 24, 2025
Buy tickets directly on the parks website - I'm so glad I read the reviews before we went. Because of them, I knew to go directly to the website for the park itself where the tickets are $15 each & it even alerts you to save your confirmation # & about how much the parking is. Because of this, we were fully prepared when we got to the park & handed over our confirmation # at the 1st window & paid for parking at the 2nd window. Then we knew to get a hardhat & watch a safety video. The whole process was seamless due to reading the reviews beforehand & the volcano was awesome! Great experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mlmdaisy
Mar 20, 2025
An exciting time to visit - We'd been fortunate to see the crater several times before, but this was a rare opportunity to visit when it's been active. Current restrictions limit time on the observation deck at 20 minutes (which is more than sufficient) and everyone has to wear hard hats. First we were directed to a theater to watch a safety video. I noticed that each "cohort" wore a different color hard hat (we were yellow). The group before us were green, and after, red. This is a clever way to keep track of how long visitors have been up there. There are small shelters to run into if needed (fun). I had not noticed these before. I had bought tickets from home, knowing that dealing with the SINAC website can be tricky. You also pay to park, I believe it was about 6 USD.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marianafermor
Feb 10, 2025
Beautiful! Worth the experience - I hesitated to go because it is far away and not go on tour suddenly it is a bit expensive to arrive on your own but it was worth the experience. Beautiful view
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dawnimac
Mar 31, 2025
Pick a clear day. Well organized except for website. - Website to get tickets is extremely difficult. This is second time on Costa Rica that I had to find another option. I bought tickets from s small souvenir shop on the way up., twenty minutes before our ticket time. Road is very good to the park, ample parking spots. Given colour coded helmets according to group. Shown a short video in large cinema Ten minute uphill walk to volcano. It was raining so visibility was nil, though we could hear bubbling. Found out that the park was closed the next day because of activity. So sorry not to see more.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Krys_jd
Jan 29, 2025
Very disappointing, Not worth $50 - Not really worth the $50, the crater is beautiful but all hiking trails are closed for whatever reason, so no access to the lagoon and other viewpoint! Very disappointing
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marco_j
Mar 10, 2025
Over charge - better to buy tickets directly with in the park site - Bad, we have to wait and wait because the park did not had our entrance ticket. They suggest to buy another tickets directly with them. And the price was double with this company.
Review provided by Viator
Y5454pseliset
Jan 21, 2025
Bad experience waste of money - Wasn’t able to see anything since it was raining and fog cloudy really poor experience, cold weather, other than that cafe nice experience great food
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $32
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).