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The Irazú Volcano is one of the most spectacular and fascinating destinations in Costa Rica. It is the highest volcano in the country and also the most visited, with an altitude of 3,432 mts (11,260 feet) above sea level, and has five craters of different sizes and colors.
Located in the Cordillera Central, east of Cartago, the Irazú volcano offers impressive views of its crater lake, forests, and surrounding valleys.
From its summit, on clear days, you can see the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and being one of the 4 volcanoes near San José, you can also see the Central Valley.
Getting to Irazú Volcano National Park
The Irazú Volcano is located in the province of Cartago, about 30 km (16.6 miles) from the city of the same name and about 60 km (37.3 miles) from San José, the country’s capital. There are two main options to reach the Irazú Volcano: by car or public transport.
By Car:
If you have a rental car, you can drive to the Irazú Volcano along the Interamericana Sur highway, taking the turnoff to Tierra Blanca and following the signs to the Irazú Volcano National Park. From San José, it takes about an hour and a half, and from Cartago about 45 minutes. The road is in good condition, but driving with caution is recommended, especially during the rainy season, as there are sharp curves and it can be foggy. Along the way, you will pass through picturesque landscapes of farms, villages, and mountains.
Once at the park entrance, a parking fee must be paid at the cafeteria.
Parking lot Fee: ¢2,000 ($4.78)
If you don’t have a car or don’t want to drive, you can get there by Taxi or Uber. But the prices to pay are a bit high and vary greatly according to the day and the amount of traffic.
Uber from San Jose:
¢19,850-¢28,090 ($38-54) per way
Uber from Cartago:
¢5,490-¢16,000 ($11-$31) per way
Irazú Volcano Directions:
By Public Transportation
For those who prefer public transport, daily bus services from San José to Irazú Volcano make the trip accessible. The bus departs from 2nd Avenue, near the National Theater, with an approximate duration of 2 hours. The journey may be a little longer than by car, but it is an economical and authentic way to reach the volcano without the hassle of driving.
From San José: Buses leave San José every day at 08:00 in front of the Hotel Costa Rica. On the way back the buses go to Cartago and leave the Volcano at 12:30 and 15:15. If you need to return to San Jose you need to take another bus or the train.
- Price: ¢2,905 ($5.5) per person one way
From Cartago: This bus leaves only 2 times a day (9:00-12:00) and takes 50 minutes to reach the Irazú Volcano.
- Price: ¢1,505 ($2.8) per person one way
Return bus to San Jose: ¢695 ($1.3) per person. Departures every 10 mins.
Return Train: ¢ 705 ($1.4) per person. Departures every 45 mins between 15:50 and 19:08
Entrance Fee & Opening Times
Irazú Volcano is part of the Irazú Volcano National Park, one of the most visited protected areas in Costa Rica. The park has two sectors: Craters and Prussia. The Craters sector is the one that allows you to access the craters of the volcano and enjoy the panoramic views.
The Irazú Volcano National Park – Craters Sector is open to visitors from 8:00 to 16:00 every day. However, the last time to enter this area is at 14:00.
Tickets must be purchased in advance through the official government website.
Buy tickets: SINAC- National Park Reservation System
You have to create an account first and then search for Irazú Volcano National Park – Crater Sector, select a time, enter your personal information, and make the purchase.
Once the purchase is completed, the reservation information will be sent to your email. This information is what you need to enter the park. The entrance fee for foreigners is $15 for adults and $5 for children. These fees contribute to the park’s conservation and maintenance efforts.
Things to do at Irazú Volcano National Park
There are many things to do in Irazú Volcano National Park, depending on your interests and preferences.
Hiking
The Playa Hermosa area is the main trailhead of this park. The trail starts near the parking lot and ends in front of the Crater Diego de la Haya, once there you have all the beach to walk and go to other viewpoints to observe the main Crater.
You can also hike to the highest point of the park, from which you can see the Pacific and Atlantic oceans on clear days, the hike is 1.1 km (0.6 miles) and takes about 20 minutes to reach. However, this viewpoint is also accessible by car.
Picnic
In the car park and next to the cafeteria you will find a small picnic area. This area has tables, benches, and rubbish bins. Public toilets are nearby.
This area is a perfect place to relax and enjoy a meal in the middle of nature. You can bring your food and drink or buy some snacks and drinks at the park’s cafeteria
Enjoy the Views
The summit of Irazú offers breathtaking views. On clear days, you can see the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as much of Costa Rica’s Central Valley, a truly rare and mesmerizing experience. I can be honest here, as a local I have never had the opportunity to see the oceans, the experience is difficult to experience, however, the cloud bed does not fail to give a breathtaking view.
From the highest peak of the Craters sector, you can admire the craters of the volcano and its colored lagoons, as well as the surrounding lunar landscape of Playa Hermosa. You can also see the Turrialba volcano, which is the closest active volcano to Irazú, and which sometimes emits ash and steam.
Best time to go
The best time to visit Irazú Volcano is during the dry season, from December to April. During these months, the skies are clearer and offer better views of the crater and surrounding landscapes. Mornings are especially recommended, as clouds tend to appear in the afternoon.
However, the weather at Irazú Volcano is unpredictable and can change rapidly, so always be prepared for cold, wind, fog, and rain, regardless of the season.
During the dry season, the crater lagoons are likely to be dry due to lack of rain. However, the level of the main lagoon has fluctuated over the years and has been affected by the infiltration process due to fractures within the volcano. The lagoon has gone unnoticed even for 7 years. By 2020 it began to disappear again and at the beginning of 2024 when I visited there was no gap. For now, we will have to wait for the rainy season to see if the lagoon reappears.
Tips for Visiting Irazú Volcano National Park
As a local, these are some tips for visiting the Irazú Volcano National Park
- Shoes: You must wear comfortable walking shoes. In the sector of the craters, you will walk through the whole area of Playa Hermosa which is full of sand.
- Gear: Bring along sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect against the sun. Irazú Volcano receives a large amount of radiation due to its height and proximity to the equator. It is also a place with very little shade.
- Clothing: You must wear suitable clothing for the weather. The average temperature on the volcano is 13°C, but it can vary between 5°C and 20°C, depending on the time of day, the season, and the sector. In addition, the weather can change rapidly from sunny to rainy or from clear to cloudy, no matter whether it is dry or rainy season.
- Buy tickets in advance, especially if you are going to choose the 10 am time slot. Being 2 hours from San Jose, this is the time that sells the most.
