Parks and Volcanos

Following are samples of what you will find in our e-book (Portable Data File), Multi-Media e-book, and paperback. Click on the "Order Now" button above or below any page to obtain your guide.

Braulio Carrillo National Park (Province of Heredia -- Central Valley)

This is the closest national park to San José. One of the best ways to see it is to drive through it by bus via the highway to Guápiles and Limón, but buses do not usually make stops in the park. You must ask to get off and flag down a bus on your return. Take:

An Empresarios Guapileños bus, route 735, from the Gran Terminal del Caribe on C Central/A15-A17 leaving hourly on weekdays from 5:30 am to 10:00 pm and on Saturday and Sunday until 9:00 pm; 1-1/2 hours. Buses return from 5:30 am to 7:00 pm. Tel: (San José) 2222-0610, (Guápiles) 2758-0618.

Or, an Autotransportes Caribeños (formerly Coopelimón) regular service bus to Limón, route 703, via the San José - Guápiles - Limón highway through Braulio Carrillo leaving every 45 minutes from 5:00 am until 7:00 pm from the Gran Terminal del Caribe on C-Central/A15. Buses return on the same schedule. Tel: (San José) 2222-0610, 2221-7990, or 2221-2596; (Limón) 2758-2575. If you are visiting the park, tell the driver “Quiero bajarme a la estacion Zurquí” (or to Quebrada González). See also Limón.

Tips:

  When returning, wait for the bus on the highway.

  You can combine a ride through this park with a visit to the Rainforest Aerial Tram, a 1-1/2 hour round-trip ride through the forest canopy. The bus to Guápiles will stop there, just past the northern border of the park.

  If you take the bus to Río Frío/Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, you can ride through the park and then get off at Horquetas, the connection point to Rara Avis.

  It rains here often. Bring a waterproof hat and jacket, binoculars, and insect repellent. Rubber boots are available but you may prefer to bring your own, especially if your wear a large size.

Lodging:  San José hotels.

Poás Volcano/Volcán Poás National Park (Province of Alajuela -- Central Valley)

In addition to the active volcano (2,700 meters, 8,856 feet), other attractions include nature trails through a cloud forest, a museum, and bird watching. Quetzáles and a variety of hummingbirds thrive here. Take either:

A route 1241 Tuasa bus, leaving daily from C12-C14/A2 opposite Park La Merced at 8:30 am; 2 hours. The bus returns at 2:00 pm. Get on line early; seats are not reserved. The bus stops in Alajuela to take on more passengers. Tel: (San José) 2222-5325, (Alajuela) 2442-6900.

Or, a route 200 SWA (Station Wagon Alajuela) or Tuasa bus to Alajuela from C10-C14/A2; then the route 228 bus, the route 254 bus, or the route 254BS minibus, to San Pedro de Poás and a taxi to the volcano. Tel: 2233-7477 or 2233-4481.

Or, a bus to Grecia, then a route 244 bus to San Pedro de Poás and a taxi to the volcano.

Lodging: 

  Pura Vida Hotel, Tel: 506-2430-2630 /2430-2624 /8383-2597 (cell). 4 Km from the airport. info@puravidahotel.com.

  Hotel Villa Real, C1/A3, Tel: 441-4856.

  Hotels in San José.

Poás is an easy day trip.

For complete descriptions of parques and volcanos and how to get there, click on the "Order Now" button above or below on any page.

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