| Irazu Volcano National Park |
| Places To See - Parks, Reserves and Protected Areas | |
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About:The landscape at Irazú Volcano National Park is similar to what you'd find in the Andes Mountains. It's the only place in the Central Volcanic Range system that has a rain forest and subalpine paramo (treeless plains) situated from 3,300 to 4,000 meters (10,827 to 13,124 feet). The Irazú volcano is one of Costa Rica’s active volcanoes.
Plant-life
in the park has taken a beating from the gas and magma oozing from the
volcanoes. The craters here are fringed with a battered collection of
bush and trees, the remains of forests and grasslands wrecked by the
eruptions and vapors.
Tour companies offer tours to the area for $45 to $50 dollars (entrance fee not included).
Weather:
Temperature: 40ºF annual average
Activities:Visitors will enjoy easy hiking trails with views of the crater. To the southwest of the volcano, in an area now known as the Ricardo Jimenez Oreamuno Recreation Area, there are trails and camping areas.
Facilities:There is a restaurant with restrooms and a gift shop at the top in the parking area. Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Trails:There is one trail with views to the volcano’s crater. More trails are available in the Ricardo Jimenez Oreamuno recreation area.
Flora & Fauna:
Species
commonly found in the vicinity of the craters: arrayan and
arracachillo. Species found northwest of the main crater: black oak,
poor man's umbrella, age and shallot. Fees and Schedule:
Open: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Getting There:From San José, take Highway 1 south to Cartago. There is a paved road that leads through the mountains and all the way to top where there is a visitor center.
A
bus goes to Irazú Volcano National Park weekends and public holidays,
leaving at 8am. from San José's Gran Hotel Costa Rica (for information
call 272-0651 or fax 272- 2948. Bus fare (one way) from San Jose is $4;
from Cartago, $2.25. The bus drops you off and picks you up at the
parking area of the main crater where you'll find restrooms and an
information desk. The bus returns to San Jose at 1pm. It makes a stop
at Restaurant Linda Vista – wonderful views. Business cards all over
the world are pinned to the walls. Nearby Parks:
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