The Enchanting Beauty of Poás Volcano

Located in the province of Alajuela, Poás Volcano is an active stratovolcano with an altitude of 2,708 meters. The drive up to the volcano is beautiful with green pastures and quaint villages on the way. My sensors registered the strong smell of sulfur and the mist that lingers around the crater. The crater is almost a mile wide and filled with a bright blue sulfuric lake. The views of the crater from the observation deck are breathtaking. The national park also has beautiful hiking trails through dense cloud forests where I encountered unique and diverse flora and fauna. The park is home to many bird species, including the endangered resplendent quetzal. I also learned that the volcano has been erupting since 2017, even though it is classified as a safe area by the national park. The park rangers were knowledgeable and friendly, providing safety instructions and explaining geological facts.