Turrialba Volcano

Volcán Turrialba

An active volcano with dramatic ongoing eruptive activity and a rugged, high-altitude crater landscape. Access can vary with volcanic conditions, but its raw geology and surrounding dairy country reward the adventurous.

Things to do

• Turrialba Volcano National Park — Visit the national park to view the active crater and its dramatic gas plumes, though access depends on current volcanic and safety conditions.
• Crater viewpoint hike — When open, walk the rugged trails toward the main crater rim for close-up views of the steaming fumaroles and stark volcanic terrain.
• Volcán Turrialba Lodge — Stay or stop at this high-altitude lodge on the volcano's slopes, a base for guided tours and horseback rides through paramo and dairy country.
• Guayabo National Monument — Explore Costa Rica's largest pre-Columbian archaeological site nearby, with ancient stone aqueducts, mounds, and petroglyphs beneath cloud forest.
• Horseback riding through dairy pastures — Ride horses across the green highland pastures and cattle farms that blanket the volcano's fertile lower slopes.
• Rafting the Río Pacuare — Head down to the Turrialba region's famous Pacuare River for world-class whitewater rafting through jungle gorges.
• Birdwatching in the highlands — Spot resplendent quetzals, hummingbirds, and highland species in the forested corridors around the volcano's base.

Food to try

• Queso Turrialba — Sample the region's famous fresh white cow's-milk cheese, a protected denomination-of-origin product made in the surrounding dairy farms.
• Casado — Enjoy this hearty plate of rice, beans, plantains, salad, and a choice of meat, the everyday staple in local sodas.
• Gallo pinto — Start your day with this classic Costa Rican breakfast of stir-fried rice and beans, often served with eggs and fresh cheese.
• Agua dulce con queso — Warm yourself in the highland chill with hot sugarcane drink paired with slices of local Turrialba cheese.
• Tamales — Try corn-masa tamales wrapped in banana leaves, especially popular at family gatherings and rural markets.
• Fresh dairy and natilla — Seek out farm-fresh cream (natilla) and milk products straight from the dairy country that defines this region.

Local customs & good to know

• Check volcanic activity before visiting — The national park and roads can close abruptly due to eruptions or gas emissions, so confirm status with SINAC or local authorities beforehand.
• Dress for cold, wet highlands — At over 3,000 meters the volcano is chilly, windy, and often foggy, so bring layers and rain protection even in the dry season.
• Support local dairy farmers — Buying Queso Turrialba directly from roadside stands and small producers sustains the region's traditional cheese-making livelihood.
• Respect Guayabo's heritage — At the archaeological monument, stay on marked paths and avoid touching structures to protect this sacred indigenous site.

Nearby

• Guayabo National Monument — 10 km
• Irazú Volcano National Park — 11 km
• Turrialba — 16 km
• Ujarrás Ruins — 22 km