The Inactive Volcanoes
Costa Rica has more than 112 volcanic structures. Many of the "mountains" you drive by are not just regular mountains...they might be one of the many dormant volcanoes that dot the Costa Rican landscape.
Tours
We can arrange guided tours to any of the following volcanoes. Tell us if you're an avid bird watcher or hiker, and we will find a tour or guide for you. Just let us know your needs. We can also recommend hotels in the area.
Barva Volcano
Where is It?
In the Braulio Carrillo National Park, part of the Central Volcanic Mountain Range, between Irazu and Poas Volcanoes.
How Tall is It?
2906 meters (9535 feet)
Did You Know?
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This is the oldest volcano in Costa Rica.
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The last major explosion was in 1492.
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It is also called 'Cerro Las Tres Marias'.
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It is the remains of an ancient calderic structure.
- It has amazing panoramic views of surrounding areas.
- Barva Volcano has two main craters that are filled with crystal clear waters: Barva Lake and Danta Lake.
- Two species of endemic toad live in the rich forests surrounding the volcano
- The only way up is in a 4x4 and then a final climb. Contact us for your car and tour.
- If you're lucky you will see the resplendent quetzal.
Cacao Volcano
Where is It?
In the Guanacaste National Park, part of the Guanacaste Volcanic Mountain Range.
How Tall is It?
1659 meters (5443 feet)
Did You Know?
- You can take a horseback tour thru the primary forest on trails leading up to the top. Contact us for a unique volcano tour.
- Tons of epiphytes live in the cloud forest at the top.
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Cacho Negro Volcano
Where is It?
In the Braulio Carrillo National Park, part of the Central Volcanic Mountain Range.
How Tall is It?
2136 meters (7007 feet)
Did You Know?
- It is a dormant, almost perfect conical shaped volcano.
- Surrounding it is a forest rich with cypress, pine trees and wildlife.
Chato Volcano
Where is It?
In the Arenal Volcano National Park, part of the Tilaran Mountain Range
How Tall is It?
1140 meters (3609 feet)
Did You Know?
- The last big explosion occurred 3500 years ago.
- Guided tours (a four hour trek) is the only way to get to the top to
look at the 500 meter wide, lagoon-filled crater. Contact us for the
best tour for you
Congo Volcano
Where is It?
In the Poas Volcano National Park, part of the Central Volcanic Mountain Range.
How Tall is It?
2014 meters (6607 feet)
Did You Know?
- Added into the Poas National Park's boundaries in 1993, it is the closest volcano to Poas Volcano.
- There is a lake inside the collapsed crater.
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El Viejo Volcano
Where is It?
In the Juan Castro Blanco National Park, part of the Central Volcanic Mountain Range.
How Tall is It?
2122 meters (6962 feet)
Did You Know?
- El Viejo (the old man) was once called 'La Mina' (the mine) because it was once a mine to extract pumice stone for manufacturing soap.
- This dormant crater is close to Poas Volcano and its forests are full of cypress, cedars and heart of palm.
La Platanar Volcano
Where is It?
In the Juan Castro Blanco National Park, part of the Central Volcanic Mountain Range, northwest of Poas near Bajo del Toro.
How Tall is It?
2183 meters (7162 feet)
Did You Know?
- The volcano is surrounded by primary forest.
- Juan Castro Blanco National Park has two other volcanic structures: El Viejo and Porvenir Volcano.
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Miravalles Volcano
Where is It?
Part of the Guancaste Volcanic Mountain Range, east of Liberia in the Miravalles Forest Reserve.
How Tall is It?
2028 meters (6554 feet)
Did You Know?
- Take a 4x4 to the top of the sleepy Miravelles Volcano. Contact us for a tour.
- Although it's been dormant for centuries, it did give a little burp of an explosion in 1946.
- The scenic view at the top offers a beautiful view of Lake Nicaragua.
- The
area around the volcano is a cloud forest full of rivers, waterfalls,
hot springs and a ton of plants and wildlife.
- The only geothermal power plant in Costa Rica is at the base of this volcano.
Orosi Volcano
Where is It?
In the Guanacaste National Park, part of the Guanacaste Volcanic Mountain Range.
How Tall is It?
1487 meters (4878 feet)
Did You Know?
- This is the first volcano seen when crossing the Costa Rican border from Nicaragua.
- Tons of pre-Colombian petroglyphs are found in the western part of the forest heading up to the volcano.
- If you hike the northern wall you'll get a great view of Lake Nicaragua.
- The best view of the volcano is from Santa Rosa National Park.
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Porvenir Volcano
Where is It?
In the Juan Castro Blanco National Park, part of the Central Volcanic Mountain Range, northwest of Poas.
How Tall is It?
2267 meters (7437 feet)
Did You Know?
- You can hike the remote cloud forests that dominate the upper reaches of this volcano.
- Juan Castro Blanco National Park has two other volcanic structures: El Viejo and La Platanar Volcano.
Tenorio Volcano
Where is It?
In the Tenorio National Park, part of the Guanacaste Volcanic Mountain Range.
How Tall is It?
1916 meters (6286 feet)
Did You Know?
- There are horseback and hiking tours through this wild country ripe with wildlife available for close-up views. We'll be happy to arrange it for you.
- The tours also take you to Rio Celeste's light blue, sulfur filled waters.
- The best time to visit the volcano is January and February, otherwise it may be too windy and rainy.
- Tenorio Volcano is part of four volcanic cones and has a twin dormant crater known as Montezuma Volcano.
- Macadamia nut plantations thrive at the base of this volcanic formation.
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