- Volcanic formations
- ~200
- Active volcanoes
- 5–6
- Irazú
- 3,432 m
- Arenal's big eruption
- 1968
Which volcano should you visit?
| Volcano | What you see | From |
|---|---|---|
| Arenal | Classic cone, lava-flow trails, hot springs | La Fortuna |
| Poás | Active crater and acid lake from a viewpoint | San José (1 h 15) |
| Irazú | Moonscape craters; views of both oceans on clear days | San José (1 h 30) |
| Rincón de la Vieja | Mud pots, fumaroles, waterfalls | Liberia (1 h) |
| Tenorio | Río Celeste blue river and waterfall | La Fortuna / Liberia (1 h 30) |
At Poás and Irazú, go early: clouds usually cover the craters by late morning. Poás tickets must be bought online for a timed slot, and visits at the viewpoint are limited in time because of gas.
Poás tours from San José include the timed ticket and often a coffee farm or La Paz Waterfall Gardens.
Book a Poás tour ↗Volcanic hot springs
The same heat feeds Costa Rica's hot springs: Arenal has the most (Tabacón, Baldi, EcoTermales), with others around Rincón de la Vieja and Miravalles in Guanacaste and in the Orosi Valley near Cartago.
Arenal combo tours pair a volcano hike with an evening at the hot springs.
Arenal volcano tours ↗Plan your trip to Costa Rica's volcanoes
Tours & tickets
Guided tours, day trips and activities with free cancellation on most bookings.
See tours ↗Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see lava in Costa Rica?
Not currently. Arenal produced visible lava until 2010. Poás, Rincón de la Vieja and Turrialba have frequent small eruptions of gas and ash, but no visible lava flows.
Which is the best volcano to visit in Costa Rica?
Arenal for scenery and activities, Poás for an easy look into an active crater, and Rincón de la Vieja for mud pots and fumaroles.
Do I need tickets for Poás Volcano?
Yes. Entry to Poás Volcano National Park is by timed ticket, which must be bought online in advance.
Last reviewed October 2026. Opening hours, prices and road conditions change: check official sources before you travel.