Irazu Volcano

Where is It?

25 km northeast of San Jose, located inside Irazu Volcano National Park in the Central Volcanic Mountain Range in the Orosi  Valley

How Tall is It?

Summit Elevation: 3432 meters (11,260 feet) 

Volcano Type

Stratovolcano

Type of Activity

Fumarolic, Explosive

How Old is It?

14,000 years old

The Last Big Eruptions

 1963 - 1965 and 1994

Did You Know?

• This is the tallest volcano in the country.

• Irazu's mass covers more than 500 sq. km

• This is one of the only places in Central America that on a clear day you can see both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans at once.

• 

• There are three main craters.  The main active crater is 1000 meters wide and 180 meters deep. There are atleast 10 other flank cones.

• One of the main craters is filled with an acid lake rich in minerals that changes  color and size.

• The land around the volcano is perfect for agriculture due to its mineral rich soil.

• The area leading up to the volcano is full of wildlife and beautiful flora. Keep your eyes open for:

  • Baird's tapirs
  • Tanagers
  • Sooty robins
  • Porcupines
  • Bromeliads
  • Poorman's Umbrella

A Bit of History

All recorded eruptions from the past 10,000 years have been explosive in nature. The main and most catastrophic recorded eruption occurred in 1723 destroying the capital at the time - Cartago. The next major eruption after that was in 1963 during President John F. Kennedy's visit to Costa Rica. It caused major damage to San Jose and the surrounding valley. 1994 was the last notable major activity when a sector of the main crater's northwest wall collapsed. Today, it continues with regualr fumarolic activity.

Insider's Tip

The best time to visit the volcano is in the mornings from May to November. Bring sunscreen and a wind breaker or rain jacket because the weather changes rapidly.

Tours

Contact us to organize a day trip to Irazu