Irazu Volcano National Park
Irazu Volcano National Park
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This park is centered around the largest volcano in the country, which has a surprising moon-like landscape.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
821 reviews
Excellent
362
Very good
277
Average
104
Poor
50
Terrible
28
JamesFFC
Maidenhead, UK655 contributions
Aug 2020
I caught the public bus (leaves SJO from just opposite the National Theatre in the centre of town). Bus costs 2,500C and leaves at 8am Monday - Sunday. I went Aug 2020, so even during the COVID pandemic, bus still went.
The bus drops you at the top at just after 10am. If I'm honest, this is a bit too late. The visiblity was fairly poor although the clouds did come and go. Although the views are excellent and there are a few decent viewpoints, the information at the top is completely non-existent. There are no signs, one poor trail map and no information whatsoever about the volcano. This meant that unless you are with a leading volcanologist, there is no way of getting any information about the volcano. WiFi and data doesn't work at the top.
Entrance fee is 9,000C although is much less if you are a CR resident. There is a small and overpriced cafe at the top so I'd recommend bringing your own food. Bus leaves back down at 12:30 promptly. It also left, on the day I went, 50yrds back up the road for some unknown reason so worth checking in the smaller car park if you can't see the bus at 12:20!
Overall, it was a pleasant morning and there are a couple of nice trails to walk around. Would I rush back however? Probably not.
The bus drops you at the top at just after 10am. If I'm honest, this is a bit too late. The visiblity was fairly poor although the clouds did come and go. Although the views are excellent and there are a few decent viewpoints, the information at the top is completely non-existent. There are no signs, one poor trail map and no information whatsoever about the volcano. This meant that unless you are with a leading volcanologist, there is no way of getting any information about the volcano. WiFi and data doesn't work at the top.
Entrance fee is 9,000C although is much less if you are a CR resident. There is a small and overpriced cafe at the top so I'd recommend bringing your own food. Bus leaves back down at 12:30 promptly. It also left, on the day I went, 50yrds back up the road for some unknown reason so worth checking in the smaller car park if you can't see the bus at 12:20!
Overall, it was a pleasant morning and there are a couple of nice trails to walk around. Would I rush back however? Probably not.
Written September 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Myo M
Coquitlam, Canada22,928 contributions
Jan 2020
Really quite a memorable experience was a walk around the "lava field" on the top of this volcano (or almost on the top since there's still a higher ridge or such along one side of the field) where the surface is just as firm as regular ground and the field is actually "quite spacious" that I only got to cover like half or two-thirds of it (also a "pretty unique" experience of being on a volcano instead of watching it from a distance both before & since this one including Volcan Arenal right in this country that I'd done just 2 days prior to this one). And yes, apart from that "nice exhilarating" walk is the view of the "crater lake" down below but not too far down to get a pretty good view of it although the railing at "a bit too far" from the edge (in my opinion) is such that you'll either have to stand on the railing or go over it to get the "full view" (a sight somewhat reminiscent for me of those seen from above Chacaltaya Mountain in Bolivia, with this lake also of a similar size & a similar beauty to those!). And also kind of a "nicely contrasting" sight to this barren field (except for some small shrubs on a few spots) is the long hillside looking like a "plant wall" with an assortment of vegetation on it including some colorful flowers (alongside the walkway leading to the field from the entrance area where there's also a pretty nice gift shop).
Coming from San Jose, there's a bus at 8 am from just across the big street Av.2 from Teatro Nacional (likely a daily one at the same time with the destination sign Tierra Blanca) and which takes about 2.5 hours (with stops as it is a public bus), but it's a slow journey I actually kind of appreciate for these lush scenes of the hillside (some "cloud-covered" either wholly or partially). And as the way being through Cartago, I would say there's an option (on the way back) to get off in Cartago for the Santiago Apostol "church ruin" & the big cathedral Basilica de Los Angeles (not the latter for me which I wasn't aware of at the time, and my visit actually being on another day from San Jose), then to take one of the "frequent buses" back to San Jose (from the station in Cartago near its rail tracks).
Coming from San Jose, there's a bus at 8 am from just across the big street Av.2 from Teatro Nacional (likely a daily one at the same time with the destination sign Tierra Blanca) and which takes about 2.5 hours (with stops as it is a public bus), but it's a slow journey I actually kind of appreciate for these lush scenes of the hillside (some "cloud-covered" either wholly or partially). And as the way being through Cartago, I would say there's an option (on the way back) to get off in Cartago for the Santiago Apostol "church ruin" & the big cathedral Basilica de Los Angeles (not the latter for me which I wasn't aware of at the time, and my visit actually being on another day from San Jose), then to take one of the "frequent buses" back to San Jose (from the station in Cartago near its rail tracks).
Written October 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
johnnyyo
New York City, NY12 contributions
Feb 2020
This was my first time being on a volcano so I was pretty hyped. And unfortunately given the ~1.5hr bus ride from San Jose (3hr total travel time), I was expecting a little bit more. You can walk around the top of the volcano, do any additional exploring and take all the pics you need in less than an hour. That being said, the scenery is very nice and is similar to what you see in the picture (even though when we went, the body of water was a lot smaller). You can get some good views of the inside from multiple vantage points. Also because you are so high up, you might want to grab a light jacket or windbreaker. It gets chilly up there!
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DougFirDino
Prince George, Canada15 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
I was prepared to pay, but entrance required creation of an online profile which took about 25 minutes. Far from intuitive, the website sends a temporary password to email that would be difficult to remember and not accessible to cut and past with the usual double-click on iPhone ( prolonged pressure instead). After retrieving the temporary password from email, the visitor logs back into the park website, to enter a new password twice with a cap and a number. Full names and passport numbers are then required for all members of the party before entering credit card information. Parking needs to be paid separately at a different location. The website thinks endlessly if you fail to fill any of the fields correctly. The fee was $15 for adults. I was much more impressed with volcanos in Panama and Atacama. Even Turrialba was better, without all the haste around Irazú.
Written March 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MilosStepita
Phuket, Thailand90 contributions
Feb 2021
We got to the volcano at 2PM, the guy at the gates asked as if we registered online. We didn’t and so he told us to fill out some registration form on computer for 15 minutes. The form didn’t want to submit, so we were waiting another 10 minutes. Then he just told us after 2 PM the form doesn’t want submit so we just paid 15 dollars per person to get in. Not sure why he made all that hustle. We thought that was too expensive already, little did we know this is a standard price to see pretty much anything in costa rica.
The volcano itself was nothing special, there wasn’t even water in the crater like on the pictures. You have a little walking path, but only through little part around the crater.
The Bosque the Prusia nature reserve down the road is much more worth it, but you have to get out of there by 3:30PM which is a shame. This is the first time we realized that almost everything in costa rica is private and you need to pay for. Totally different than Europe.
The volcano itself was nothing special, there wasn’t even water in the crater like on the pictures. You have a little walking path, but only through little part around the crater.
The Bosque the Prusia nature reserve down the road is much more worth it, but you have to get out of there by 3:30PM which is a shame. This is the first time we realized that almost everything in costa rica is private and you need to pay for. Totally different than Europe.
Written March 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Μάνος Π
9 contributions
Jan 2021
Well, first of all the local direct bus from San Jose : Leaves at 08:00 and charges 2600 colones. Make a stop at Cartago and arrives at 10:00 in the park. Returnes back at 12:30 but only at Cartago ( 1340 colones ). Then you must go at Lumaca bus station at take another bus to San Jose ( 610 colones ). I still cant understand those prices.
In the park , you dont need more than one hour to explore it. You can start from the main entrance to see the two craters and the playa hermosa. ( where is this wonderful colour that we saw in photos ?? )
The best view is from the left of the main entrance. Its longer but worth it .
Keep in mind that is chilly, so go prepared.
Generally, if you want to go, its up to you. If you have time do it, but dont waste your money in tours about that volcano.
In the park , you dont need more than one hour to explore it. You can start from the main entrance to see the two craters and the playa hermosa. ( where is this wonderful colour that we saw in photos ?? )
The best view is from the left of the main entrance. Its longer but worth it .
Keep in mind that is chilly, so go prepared.
Generally, if you want to go, its up to you. If you have time do it, but dont waste your money in tours about that volcano.
Written January 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Claudia Segovia
Quito, Ecuador63 contributions
Apr 2022
It is a nice place to walk, see plants and animals very similar to the Andean Paramos. The weather is nice but could be a little chilly. You have to be lucky to see the lake , usually is cloudy . We spend there a couple of hours. You have to buy tickets on line, and the internet it is not so good at the entrance. Then it is better to do that in advance.
Written May 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
diamelapq
Miami, FL12 contributions
Jun 2021
The fence around the volcano was so far that you can’t see anything, only black sand away from the volcano. To top it off, they charge for parking in addition to entrance fee. Don’t loose your time and money.
Written July 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LaLaOntheRoad
New York City, NY294 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
11,260ft in the clouds!!!!!! IT’S AMAZING!!!!! The ride up the mountain is beautiful through very lovely landscape, rolling hillsides with vista views along the way. If your driving without a local, note, that the road doesn’t have many if any guard railing. It is well paved and not very much traffic but there are plenty of spots where the road is winding and curved so be careful. Once you arrive there is a parking lot and small refreshment area/souvenir shop. Walking out freely in the sand of the volcano is incredible. Really can appreciate the nature of this phenomenal site. The day we were there it was clear gorgeous blue skies with little clouds. You are actually above the clouds which is truly amazing. It is colder due to the elevation so bring a light jacket in case. The spectacular treat of our visit was the pool of blue electric water at the bottom of the volcano. Really breathtaking. Make this location a day trip from San Jose with other surrounding sites in Cartago city.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gerard H
33 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Caught the public bus to Volcano Irazu $32AUD return (2hrs one way), park entrance $53AUD.
The excursion was disappointing, with limited views of the crater lake obtained by standing on the barrier fence and no interpretive explanation of the volcano at all.
When I visited, the lake in the crater was very low.
It was an easy stroll to complete the circuit within 45min which allows plenty of time to undertake some other walks to adjacent lookouts before the bus departs.
The toilets at the summit were very clean.
The excursion was disappointing, with limited views of the crater lake obtained by standing on the barrier fence and no interpretive explanation of the volcano at all.
When I visited, the lake in the crater was very low.
It was an easy stroll to complete the circuit within 45min which allows plenty of time to undertake some other walks to adjacent lookouts before the bus departs.
The toilets at the summit were very clean.
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kim f
South Dakota56 contributions
How long of a drive to volcano from S@n José?
lazytravel
San Jose, Costa Rica312 contributions
It’s around 1 hour depending on traffic.
dfritsch
South Point, OH5 contributions
Would like to drive to Irazu after getting our rental car. Would luggage be safe while we hike?
Quinten Jiskoot
Amsterdam, The Netherlands514 contributions
There is parking lot from where you can make short walks to the crater. If you put your luggage out of sight I guess it is completely safe.
Julie B
Lac-Superieur, Canada14 contributions
Bonjour, je voudrais savoir si le stationnement est assez sécuritaire pour les laisser les bagages dans l'auto sans crainte de se faire voler?
Steve E
Costa Rica155 contributions
Bonjour... oui, sur le parking, il y a des gardes de sécurité et des rangers ... salutations
Compass289226
10 contributions
we'll be visiting Arenal and Poas is Irazu Volcano a must?
Nomadtranslator1980
San Jose, Costa Rica92 contributions
Yes if you have any other questions or information do you need to buy these serious don't hesitate to contact me. There's my link to my page
Iriscepero
London, UK5 contributions
En la review de Milagros ella habla de un autobus, el #307 que sale del Hotel Costa rica a las 5 de la mannana para el volcan. En todas las demas comentarios que he leido dicen
que el autobus sale a las 8am del lado del Teatro Nacional. Nosotros planemos ir alrededor del dia 18 o 19 de diciembre. Alguien puede sugerir la mejor y mas rapida manera de llegar desde San Jose y luego, al regresar, parar en Cartago, por transporte publico todo. Gracias
rwzwkljl
Stonington, CT1 contribution
We are traveling in April and our flight comes in at 10:30am. We are renting a car from Solid and are staying at Dantica Cloud Forest lodge our first two nights. I was considering heading straight to Irazu immediately after getting our car, I want to arrive at Dantica by 5:00pm! I do not want to be driving in the dark!! Hoping someone can give me some advice on whether or not that plan is realistic? is it worth the 2+ hours of extra driving? How long does it take to tour? Is it likely we'll run into traffic? Thank you for any advice!!
Cris A
San José103 contributions
Irazú Volcano is located in a National Park, usually National Parks open at 8 or 9 am and close at 4 pm. You can go in a day by a tour or by yourself, if you go by yourself you can be there as long as you want until 4 pm, but traffic in Costa Rica after this hour ir complicated in the main cities.
stelec89
New York City, NY
Hi! Would anyone know when the best time is to visit this volcano, so as to avoid clouds and ash from the Turrialba volcano? Also, would an active 75-year old woman be able to hike up to the crater? My grandma will be joining me on this visit. I'd appreciate any help.
Cris A
San José103 contributions
Hi! The National Park has physical access until volcano to everybody, so there's no problem with your grandma. The clouds and ash can be present at any hour and any day of the year, actually this both situations are ramdomized, like all others conditions in Costa Rica (we have a crazy tropical weather were you have to carry every day a sun protection and an umbrella because you don't know what is gonna happen), but the most possibility to avoid them is at morning.
Irazu Volcano National Park (Province of Cartago) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Irazu Volcano National Park
- We recommend booking Irazu Volcano National Park tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 35 Irazu Volcano National Park tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Irazu Volcano National Park:
- Irazu Volcano and Hacienda Orosi Hot Springs Full Day with Lunch (From $157.00)
- Combo tour: Irazú Volcano + Orosi Valley + Ujarrás Ruins (From $177.64)
- Day Trip from San Jose to Irazu Volcano National Park, Cartago City and Orosi Valley (From $130.00)
- Irazú Volcano National Park (Half Day). (From $99.00)
- Explore Two Amazing Active Volcanoes With a Local (From $127.00)
- Hotels near Irazu Volcano National Park:
- (7.61 mi) Guayabo Lodge
- (6.48 mi) Grandpas Hotel
- (2.69 mi) Jaco's Best Luxury and Value Condo
- (9.98 mi) El Salto Ecolodge
- (3.89 mi) Secret Garden Cabañas Turísticas Y Mirador
- Restaurants near Irazu Volcano National Park:
- (1.47 mi) Restaurante Sueños del Irazú
- (1.44 mi) Restaurante Nochebuena
- (7.16 mi) Bocadito Del Cielo
- (6.99 mi) La Posada de la Luna
- (7.84 mi) Mi Tierra
- Attractions near Irazu Volcano National Park:
- (9.11 mi) Aquiares Coffee & Community Experience
- (9.09 mi) Santuario Nacional Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles
- (9.17 mi) Green World Adventures
- (4.01 mi) Ruinas Sanatorio Carlos Durán
- (9.33 mi) Ruins of the Church of Carthage