Tag: Turrialba Volcano

Is it Possible to Visit Both Turrialba and Irazu Volcanoes in One Day?

The quick answer to this question is yes, although logistically it is a little more complicated than that.

If you are asking this question then more than likely you already know the background on both volcanoes, so I won’t bore you with those details. Instead I’ll give you some things to consider.

Irazu Volcano is the easiest, of the two to visit. You don’t need a guide and you don’t need to hike. However, you do need to purchase your ticket online on the government website here. Be sure to purchase the Sector-Crater ticket. The cost is $15.00 for non residents and 2000 CRC to park. The park is open from 8-3.

Irazu National Park
Irazu crater

Turrialba Volcano is more complicated. You need to hike to the crater and you have to do it with a guide. It is an exhausting hike. It’s more pricey- $40 USD. You need a 4×4 vehicle to get to base camp. You need to purchase your tickets in advance or at least reserve your spot. Tours occur from 6-11 am on the hour. This tour takes at least 4 hours. Here’s the link for the tour.

The crater to Turrialba
This is at the crater of Turrialba. It was too foggy to see inside

If you are staying near the San José area, it will take you 2.5 hours to drive to Turrialba or 1.5 to get to Irazu. They are about an hour drive apart. The driving times are a big consideration when planning to visit both of these volcanoes within the same day.

Easiest plan: Visit Irazu first because you’ll be very tired after your hike to Turrialba. Arrive at Irazu at 8 am. Spend about an hour there. Then take the hour drive to Turriabla. Arrive at Turrialba between 10-10:30 for your 11:00 reservation. Complete the hike by 4. I highly recommend visiting the Sector-Prussia at Irazu, but you’ll have to plan that for another day. A trip to Irazu is not complete without a visit there.

Plan B: Stay in Cartago. (I don’t recommend driving from San José at 3am to get to Turrialba by 6) Hike Turrialba at 6am. Complete your hike by 11. Head over to Irazu by 1 (consider traffic) Spend about an hour there. The good thing is that after hiking Turrialba, Irazu is easy (no hiking required).

I have visited both volcanos on separate occasions (you can read my experience to Irazu here, and my experience to Turriabla here). I wanted to visit both within the same day but did not plan properly as I didn’t know the logistics. Also, seeing both, although doable, would be rushed and I like to take my time. But if you’re pressed for time, it’s a good idea to squeeze them both into one day. Keep in mind that the weather changes quickly in Costa Rica and the clouds roll in and out at their own pace, this will influence how much of the craters you will be able to see. When I visited Turrialba (Feb 2023), a new road closer to the crater was being built to shorten the hike, that would definitely make things easier.

Visiting Irazu
Visiting Turrialba

Have you hiked these 2 volcanoes in one day? What was your experience?

Hiking Turrialba Volcano- Information, Suggestions, and more…

Have you ever hiked an Active Volcano?

Costa Rica has 6 active volcanoes and 61 that are dormant. After seeing the Poas Volcano, I knew I wanted to see as many as I could. Turrialba is another active volcano in Costa Rica and not too far from Turrialba is Irazu volcano. I had ambitiously planned to see them both on the same day, and yes it can be done, but no, I was unable to do it. (If planned properly it can be done, read how here)

Logistics

Turrialba is over 10,000 feet high. It is the second highest volcano in Costa Rica. It is located about a 2.5 hour drive from San José, in the Cartago province, inside the Turrialba Volcano National Park. Due to eruptions in 2014-2017, the park was closed. In 2020, it reopened to visitors. To hike this volcano, you are required to have a guide, wear a helmet and sign a waiver.

At this time there is only one authorized guided tour. Here is the link: https://icetur.com/volc%C3%A1n-turrialba They have tours every hour on the hour from 5am – 11am. You can reserve your spot and pay in advance or pay at the base camp: Cortijo Quetzal Lodge. The rate is 22500 CRC for foreigners, which is about $40 and then you have to pay to enter the park, once you’re there which is $12 usd. The hike will take no less than 4 hours.

Entrance to base camp

Getting there

As I mentioned, it takes about 2.5 hours to get to Turrialba. The first hour of driving is highway, then windy roads. If you get car sick, prepare. As you get closer to the base camp, the road is no longer paved. It is rocky and steep. A 4×4 is highly recommended for these back roads. For this reasons, I chose to drive during daylight. If you are not familiar with the roads in Costa Rica and curvy, steep roads make you feel uneasy, I recommend a tour at 9am or later.

Rocky, Steep, Curvy road to base camp
Thank God for Skittles

The Hike and the Summit

The elevation mixed with the rocky paths made this hike particularly difficult for me. I was pretty slow going up. It also rained which made the hike slippery and muddy. It took almost 3 hours to reach the summit. If you want to know just how out of shape you are, hike Turrialba.

At the top, Unfortunately, the clouds and fog would not let up and we were met with disappointment. We could not see the craters. We waited for awhile to see if the clouds would depart but they never did. It is also cold and windy up there.

Overcast killing the vibe
Made it to the top but can’t see anything
Protective Bunker in case of surprise eruption

Although we didn’t get to see inside the tummy of the beast, it was an enjoyable hike. I admired the scenery along the way. The ash settled upon the leaves of plants are memories left behind from previous eruptions. Eventually we began our descent. Descending is always easier for me which is the opposite for others. We made some stops along the way to take in the views and watched as the sky began to clear. I wondered if it would be possible to see inside the crater now but I was not willing to climb back up to find out. The total experience lasted 4 hours 47 minutes and was so worth it.

If it didn’t get recorded, it didn’t happen. Thank God for my Garmin

Ash on the plants
Enjoying Life

Beautiful views

More Suggestions

This hike is not an easy one, doable, but not easy, take that into consideration. Bring a walking stick but walking sticks are available at base camp to use for free. Dress appropriately, comfortable but in layers. You’ll be cold from the weather, then hot from the walk, then cold at the top, then hot during the descent. I wore work out tights, sports bra, tank top. But I also took a puffer jacket that can be easily folded and packed and a rain jacket. I used everything. Wear hiking boots or sneakers. My Merrils have been my saving grace. Carry a lightweight, hiking backpack. Bring snacks, water, hot tea (if you don’t mind carrying it in a canteen) and a portable charger. Bring some money too, because you can purchase snacks and coffee at base camp.

There are bathrooms at base camp and halfway up the volcano, where you pay for the park admission.

When driving away from Turrialba, take your time and enjoy the views but be mindful that it is a farming town. You may be met by a roadblock.

Roadblock of Cows, after a few beep beeps they moved

Would you hike Turrialba? Let me know in the comments.

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