Fodor's Expert Review Irazú Volcano National Park

Costa Rica's highest volcano, at 11,260 feet, is one of the most popular with visitors, since you can walk right down into the crater. Its presence is a mixed blessing: the ash fertilizes the Central Valley soil, but the volcano has caused considerable destruction through the centuries.  Do not leave anything of value in your car while you visit the volcano. There have been a lot of thefts in the parking lot here, even though it is supposed to be guarded.

Most San José and area tour operators include the volcano among their excursions, and this is the easiest way to visit. With the Poás Volcano National Park near Alajuela limiting visitors these days, numbers have risen dramatically at Irazú, where no such restrictions exist. Weekends here get very busy. Things are a lot more manageable during the week. For more information, see the highlighted listing in this chapter.