POáS VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK, GRECIA & SARCHí
We take the Pan-American Highway towards the city of Alajuela. En route we go by the Agriculture Monument, the Monument to Juan Santamaria and the famous Mango Park. As we ascend towards the volcano we stop for a brief explanation on our golden bean, coffee, and then continue our trip through fern, flower and strawberry farms.
There is a noticeable change in temperature and vegetation, preparing us for the pleasure of the exuberant cloud forest of Poas Volcano.
The Poás Volcano is in central Costa Rica. There are two crater lakes near its summit. Poás has erupted 39 times since 1828. The volcano is located within the Poas Volcano National Park. It is considered the largest active crater in the world, about 1 mile (1.6 km.) wide and 320 meters deep, with frequent geyser-like eruptions.
Near the volcano's active crater, there are lakes of molten sulfur, thought to be the only examples of their kind in the world.
Lake Botos fills an extinct crater and is home to many cloud forest birds like hummingbirds, tanagers, flycatchers, toucanets, clay-colored robin and the resplendent quetzal.
At the Volcano we will have time to enjoy the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles, and hike on a trail to the beautiful Botos Lagoon as we learn about the different ecosystems in the park. After visiting the volcano, we will have time to enjoy a delicious lunch in one of the typical restaurants of the area.
Our third stop is beautiful Grecia. Considered one of the cleanest towns of Latin America, it is home to the only Metal Church in Central America and a national monument that fills its inhabitants with pride. In order to catch a glimpse of local lifestyle we will also visit the central market area.
Our last stop is Sarchi, known as the Cradle of Costa Rican Artisans because of its fine workshops. Here we will have time to enjoy the artistic work of the local artisans as they create the famous typical oxcart and you will be able to shop for that special souvenir to take home.
