In a country as small as Costa Rica, it’s a good thing that only five out of more than 200 volcanic formations are considered active: Arenal, Poas, Rincon de la Vieja, Irazu and Turrialba. Most of these are located in the central highlands where many visitors whizzing by in taxis may mistake them for regular mountains.

Read a summary on the country's Active Volcanoes

Costa Rica sits atop the Pacific Ring of Fire whose colliding tectonic plates are responsible for the country’s spectacular volcanoes. The most popular volcanoes for tourists are Arenal (the most active in Costa Rica), Poas (another of the most active and most easily accessible) and Irazu (the tallest volcano in Costa Rica). These are accessed by paved road while others are more remote and offer the exploratory traveler secluded and beautiful hiking or horseback riding adventures.

All this volcanic activity has played a key role in the richness and biodiversity that makes Costa Rica one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet. Due to the many eruptions over the past 65 million years, the soil in the volcanic lowlands and forests is rich in minerals and very productive. In this fertile environment, a multitude of different plants thrive, providing habitat for abundant bird and wildlife species.

Volcanoes by Mountain Range:

Guanacaste Volcanic Range System: Cacao, Miravalles, Orosi, Rincon de la Vieja, Tenorio

Central Volcanic Range System: Barva, Cacho Negro, Congo,Irazu, La Platanar, Poas, Porvenir, Turrialba, El Viejo

Tilaran Volcanic Range System: Arenal, Chato

The Active Volcanoes:

Dormant Volcanoes: