Poás Volcano National Park in Alajuela Province will remain closed to the public indefinitely due to repairs on a bridge that provides access to the park, the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) announced Monday.

Authorities said the park had been scheduled to reopen on Monday following the expected completion of repairs to a bridge over the Tigre River in the Poasito district of Poás canton. The bridge is located near National Route 120, the park’s main access road.

However, after assessing the condition of the existing bridge, experts from the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) determined the closure must be extended until a new bridge can be built to ensure safer vehicle access.

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As a result, visits to the park will not be allowed until a new bridge is in place. Officials have not announced a reopening date.

SINAC also urged visitors not to attempt to reach the park using alternative routes, warning that those roads also pose a high risk of accidents.

MOPT crews have begun transporting a modular bridge, commonly known as a Bailey bridge, to the site. The structure will serve as a temporary solution to restore vehicle access and allow entry to the park. Installation is expected to take about one month.

Traffic police and road signage will be deployed to guide drivers to Alternate Route 146, known as the old Poás road, which connects the communities of Sabana Redonda, San Juan Norte and Poasito. The route, however, is suitable only for four-wheel-drive vehicles due to narrow roads, steep grades and sharp curves.

As a precaution, the park will remain closed to tourists until further notice. Visitors who purchased tickets during the closure may reschedule their visit or request a refund by contacting Sinac at poas.info@sinac.go.cr


To reschedule, visitors must provide their preferred date and time. To request a refund, they must submit a copy of the ticket, proof of payment, a valid ID and bank account details for the transfer.

Poás Volcano National Park covers approximately 16,000 acres, with its summit reaching about 8,900 feet above sea level. When conditions allow, visitors can typically walk to the edge of the main crater.

The main crater, about 950 feet wide, remains highly active and regularly produces geyser-like eruptions and lava outbursts. The park also includes two smaller craters, Von Frantzius and Botos. The Botos Crater is a popular attraction, known for its vivid green lake measuring roughly 1,200 feet in diameter.

In addition to its volcanic features, the park supports a wide range of plant and animal life. Birdwatchers may spot clay-colored robins, quetzals, hummingbirds, tanagers, flycatchers and toucans. Mammals in the park include pumas, coyotes, rabbits, marmots and other species.

The construction of a new bridge in Poás Volcano National Park is part of a broader national effort to improve transportation infrastructure across Costa Rica. Recently, MOPT crews began construction on a new section of Route 1, the northern Inter-American Highway in Guanacaste Province.

SINAC is the government agency that manages Costa Rica’s national parks and protected areas.

MOPT is the state-owned organization that oversees the country’s road network, ports, airports and public transportation systems.

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