-Hotels & Tours by Zone-
SARAPIQUI & POAS
Hotels | Tours
Both
these regions have in common their proximity to the city of San Jose. Your
trip might begin with a visit to the Poas Volcano followed by a visit to Sarapiquí
Region, from where you can easily connect to Arenal Volcano.
The 37 km (23 miles) road to Poás Volcano is a tour itself, first
passing by the picturesque town of Alajuela, home to the country’s national
Hero: Juan Santamaría. It continues ascending to the Volcano and admiring
the coffee plantations and the fern and flower ones. When you reach the Volcano,
at 2,708 m (8,560 feet) the national park offers visitors one of the largest
craters in the world, an impressive sight. A walk to the secondary crater,
the Botos Lagoon offers an opportunity to witness the varied flora and fauna
of the area.
Sarapiquí: a naturalist’s dream come true… an area
of small lodges, diversity of terrain, and outstanding flora and fauna; there
are rainforests and cloud forests, jungle rivers, and a great array of birds
and wildlife. Named after it’s river, the region borders the Braulio
Carrillo National Park and in between huge plantations of banana, pineapple
and palm.
Climate: in the plains (Sarapiquí), the weather tends to characterize
itself with warm daytime temperatures (low to mid 80's) and relatively high
humidity. There are intermittent rain showers that usually pass quickly. The
Poás Volcano and surrounding areas is often enveloped in clouds, so
it can get coop up here, especially when the sun isn’t shining.
What to bring: Necessary equipment is simple. If you are visiting
during the rainy season, keep rain gear handy and keep comfortable shoes on
your feet when taking in the sights. Binoculars are mandatory when in the
area since birdwatching is excellent. Light clothes for the plains and long
pants and long sleeved shirts and a sweater for the mountains. A wind breaker
/ light jacket is a must for visitors to Poas.
What to see: The Sarapiquí River can be explored in many different
ways: by kayak, by boat and by raft for the more adventurous. The Poas Volcano
is recommended to be visited early in the day, where there’s a better
chance to see the crater, and we recommend the hike to the lagoon.
SARAPIQUI & POAS HOTELS: