Tourism to the Poas Volcano Gradually Picks Up

Tourism to the Poas Volcano and Surrounding Area Gradually Picks Up...

The Poas Volcano National Park is located some 45 minutes from downtown San Jose in the province of Alajuela in Costa Rica. Due to its impressive crater as well as its proximity to San Jose, the Poas Volcano is one of the most visited by local and foreign tourists.

On January 8th 2009, a 6.2 earthquake on the Richter scale struck the surrounding area causing destruction and the loss of many lives. The natural disaster not only deprived many families from their homes and businesses, it also scared away tourism.

However, local residents and families have rapidly regrouped and worked hard in bringing back tourists in order to regain their income. The access to the Poas Volcano National Park has not been altered and the roads remain in perfect condition. The crater and lagoon also remained unaltered.

Currently, tourism has gradually picked up as tour operators and Costa Rica hotels continue to offer tours to the area. Local families from the Poas area have steadily rebuilt their stands to sell fresh grown strawberries, locally made cheese and corn biscotti.

Typical Costa Rican restaurants have also reopened their doors offering the same scrumptious local cuisine that includes rice, beans, red meat, poultry, fish and veggies. Traditional Costa Rican desserts served at the local restaurants include arroz de leche which is a sweet mixture of rice, condensed milk and raisins among others.

The majority of tourists that have visited the Poas Volcano National Park are foreigners as local tourists are slowly heading up to the volcano on the weekends.