Sendero Laguna Botos (Poás)

Tip

Go in the first slot of the day; the lake is usually clearer before the clouds close in. Poás needs an online time-slot reservation and the park ticket (about US$15), so confirm both before driving up.

Be careful

It's cold and windy at 2,700 m: wear layers and a rain shell. Stay on the marked path.

Getting there

Inside Poás Volcano National Park, which requires an advance online reservation. The trail is sometimes closed, so check SINAC.

Places nearby

• Catarata Tesoro EscondidoParks & WildlifePrivately run waterfall on the edge of Bajos del Toro with its own lookout; large signs on Route 708 point the way.
• Catarata Río Agrio, Pozas Celestes & Dino LandParks & WildlifeFamily-run property where the acidic Río Agrio drops about 50 m into a steep canyon; the ticket also covers a lookout and the Pozas Celestes, cold baby-blue river pools down the road.
• El Silencio Lodge & SpaStaysCloud-forest eco-lodge in Bajos del Toro, between Juan Castro Blanco and Poás Volcano national parks, with private waterfalls and a spa.
• Restaurante ChubascosFood & CoffeeGarden restaurant on the way up to Poás volcano known for typical Costa Rican plates such as gallitos chubascos, strawberry juice and smoothies from local farms, hammocks and a pretty garden.
• La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature ParkParks & WildlifePrivate cloud-forest park with a trail down past five waterfalls, plus a large wildlife sanctuary (cats, birds, frogs, snakes), a butterfly garden and a hummingbird garden.
• Hacienda DokaFood & Coffee · takes 1 h · from $14Historic coffee estate on the slopes of Poás Volcano offering guided tours of its plantation and traditional water-powered mill.