Turrialba Volcano is currently Costa Rica’s most active volcano in Turrialba Volcano National Park with several eruptions both minor and somewhat major recently.

Turrialba has replaced Arenal Volcano as being the most active volcano in Costa Rica, and it is making international headlines in the process. Along with the volcano, activity in the park is moving and shaking, too. The park has been one of the least visited national parks in Costa Rica up until recently. The eruptions of Turrialba Volcano have sparked more interest in the 3,900 acres park in the province of Cartago of late.

The park is populated by eighty four species of birds including quetzals, goldfinches, clay-colored thrushes, warblers, tanagers and many types of hummingbirds. The park is neither as grand nor as diverse as some of the parks in the Costa Rican diaspora, but that doesn’t make it any less a desirable habitat for a number of creatures living in Turrialba. Species such as armadillos, skunks, coyotes, rabbits, porcupines, pumas and ocelots all call Turrialba Volcano National Park in Costa Rica home.

Turrialba has two distinguishable ecosystems that make the plant life a mesh of tropical and pre-montane forest specimens. As you travel further up the volcano, the botany of the area changes with the temperature and slightly thinner atmosphere. One of the more spectacular sights at Turrialba National Park in Costa Rica is a one hundred meter waterfall that flows from the Rio Turrialba. Plants that are fed by this river and other water sources in the area include the cacho de venado, the salvia, the ratoncillo and oak trees.

The cities of Turrialba, Pacayas, Capellades, Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa are all pretty close by, and can be used as jumping off points from which to enter the park. Heading into Turrialba, it would be best if you travelled via a four wheel drive vehicle for the steep inclines, and the wet season from May to December can make travel in the park quite difficult. When heading up to the precipice of the volcano you should bring thicker clothes (as temps dip to below 60°F), binoculars, a camera, sunscreen and a backpack.

Location: Turrialba Volcano National Park
Items to bring: thicker clothes, binoculars, a camera, sunscreen and a backpack
Species of fauna: quetzals, goldfinches, clay-colored thrushes, warblers, tanagers, many types of hummingbirds
Species of flora: the cacho de venado, the salvia, the ratoncillo, oak trees
Cities nearby: Turrialba, Pacayas, Capellades, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa
Ways to get here: rental car, taxi, private shuttle, tour bus