Page 302 - Central America

Central Volcano Range Main attractions: Poor Man’s Umbrella trail Botos Lagoon trail:
Biosphere Reserve
Conservation Area The park offers facilities for disabled Measuring some 2,000 ft. long and a 10- This trail takes visitors
people, as well as tour guide services in the 15 minute hike, this trail leads visitors to a hike and measures 2,6
Poas Volcan early morning and at night. spectacular lookout point of the Poás Volcano’s
main crater where you can observe the circular This trail takes visitors
National Park Visitors can also observe majestic and depression measuring 4,330 f. in diameter and where a great variety
impressive scenic views from various sites 131 ft. deep with a lagoon rich in sulfur and be observed and lea
The Poás Volcano National Park was along the trails that the park offers. acids. This lagoon is an old
created on January 25th, 1971. It is an ft. deep and 1,312 ft. i
active composite volcano with a conical There are an abundance of epiphytes, tree- There are many fumaroles to observe, which crystal-clear, cold wate
shape and various caldera depressions shape ferns, and Poor man’s umbrella along serves to show the consistent activity this
in the upper half. Between 1953 and the trails which offers visitors a unique volcano has. North of the main crater is the Escalonia trail:
1955 there were a series of strombolian experience upon entering the Poás Volcano Von Frantzius cone, the oldest eruptive focal
eruptions. National Park. point at the top of the mammoth formation. This 1,700 ft. long trai
hike and leads visitors
This protected wildlife area ranges from forest where a variety
4,000 ft. to 8,860 ft. above sea level, at be observed, as well a
its highest point. Its 16,000 acres protects itself.
species of flora and fauna, as well as an
important water resource. Its majestic Access Routes
forests are represented by rainforest,
and lowland humid rainforest, which are • In order to get to th
divided into four main habitats: cloud national route No.2
forest, rainforest, stunted or short forests, San Isidro – Fraijane
and areas with scarce vegetation around miles).
the crater.
• Another option is t
The park has a great diversity of fauna, de Poás, Fraijanes,
particularly its rich bird species wildlife if in Alajuela: (33 m
with 79 bird species recorded. Some
of the species noted are: sooty robin, • All routes are paved
hummingbirds, quetzal, Rufous-collared condition.
sparrow, and Yellow-thighed finch.
There have also been a number of Horario de Atenció
mammals identified like shrews, weasels,
porcupines, rabbits, squirrels, as well as De 8:00 a.m. a 3:30
common flora species like Poor man’s Todos los días. Ever
umbrella (gunera insingnsi), tree-shaped
ferns, and bromeliads, among others.