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Volcan Turrialba Review

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Volcán Turrialba

Category: Volcano
Location: Turrialba

Fodor's Review:

Although you can't easily drive up to its summit as you can at Poás and Irazú, Volcán Turrialba is still worth visiting. The easiest way to arrange the excursion is to call the Volcán Turrialba Lodge (273-4335) and request a guide. You can ascend the 6 km (4 mi) from the lodge on foot or horseback in 1 to 2 hours (allow 5 hours for the round trip, including exploring), and at 3,329 m (10,920 feet) with luck you'll see clear down to the Caribbean coast. On the road that runs from Pacayas to Turrialba through Santa Cruz there is a signed turnoff at La Pastora, west of Santa Cruz, that leads up the mountain. The drive up is 15 km (9 mi) and starts paved, but the road gets worse the higher you go. In most cases you'll need a 4WD to make the last section before the trailhead, which is in a very small community called La Central de Turrialba. The road veers left toward the Volcán Turrialba Lodge, while a very washed-out road leads right toward the summit. If you want to take the latter route, you can park on the left just after the school; usually someone is around to charge you a few dollars for the privilege, but like elsewhere in the country, it in no way guarantees your car's safety. We recommend parking at Volcán Turrialba Lodge—they don't charge, will point out the way, and you can rest up with some snacks and hot chocolate at the restaurant when you're done. Get an early start and dress for the weather—it can get chilly up there even during the day. A park employee hangs out at the top to collect the $1 entrance fee and hand out maps.

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