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Poas Volcano National ParkPoas Volcano Park is a birdwatcher's paradise. The park is home to eighty or more species of birds, including sooty robins, black guans, the resplendent quetzal, green toucan and flame-throated warblers, squirrel cuckoos, great curassows, purple-throated mountain gems, golden-hooded tanagers and hummingbirds. The beauty of the area, the spectacular views of the Poas Volcano, make this the most visited National Park in Costa Rica. The park contains four major habitats: arrayans, stunted forest, cloud forest and, finally, areas with little or no vegetation. In the cloud forest look for Oak trees and Cypress 20 m. (66 feet) tall, draped with ephyphyties and moss. In other areas, acid rain from the volcano prevents anything but ferns, and other small plants from growing. Hikers will be treated to glimpses of baird's tapirs, coyotes, rabbits, skunks, and various species of bats. Vegetation includes banderita española orchids, royal brooms zorrillos and poor man's umbrellas, famous for having the largest leaves of any plant in Costa Rica. How to Get to Poas VolcanoThe trip is an easy one, whether going on a tour, by car, taxi or bus. A taxi from San Jose to the main entrance of the National Park cost between $45 to $50 dollars (you can split the cost with four other people). A taxi from San Pedro de Poas costs between $25 - $30. Don't forget, you will still have to pay the entrance fee as well. There are two buses from San Jose to the volcano. A private bus leaves from Parque La Merced Sundays at 8 a.m.. The bus stops at Restaurant El Poas in the hamlet of Poasito. Passengers should eat their fill and perhaps fill their pockets as well; there are no restaurants in the park. The bus arrives at the park around 10 a.m. and returns to San Jose at 1:30 p.m. Sunday is the most popular day to visit the volcano. To learn more about the culture we recommend you pack up a few sandwiches and join the natives at one of the picnic areas. It's a perfect opportunity to meet a few Costa Ricans and tell them a few exaggerated some lies about your own country. General InformationLocation:
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