Biological Reserve & Environmental Education Center
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Biological Reserve & Environmental Education Center
For security conditions, currently, the entrance to the park is not allowed.
This protected area is located in the canton of Turrialba in the province of Cartago, in the easternmost part of the Central Volcanic Range, 14.9 miles (24 km) northwest of the city of Turrialba.
Turrialba Volcano forms a single system in conjunction with the Irazú Volcano. It is a stratovolcano oval and its formation is due to explosive and effusive lava events, it has three craters with the presence of dry lava flows on their flanks. On its slopes two possible cones were developed: Cerro Tiendilla at 9747 feet above sea level (2971 m s.n.m.) and Armado at 9022 feet above sea level (2750 m s.n.m), where you can find two living areas, according to Holdridge classification: Forest Tropical Rainforest and Premontane very Humid Forest.
It has a maximum elevation of 10958 feet above sea level (3340 m s.n.m.), it is the second-highest volcano in the country and has an average temperature of 60 Fahrenheit (16 ° C.) and an average rainfall of 9.8 feet (3000 mm) to 13.1 feet (4000 mm).
Turrialba Volcano National Park was created by Article 6 of Law No. 1917 of July 30, 1955, published in Official La Gaceta 175 of August 9 of that year, indicating that its perimeter is given by 1.24 miles (2 km) in diameter around the active crater, which gives a total of 1256 hectares.
Its name comes from the Spaniards who called for the first time: Torre Blanca (White Tower) or Torre Alba.
Currently, it has a volcanic activity that began in the 80s and gradually increased to January 5, 2010, when the first eruption happened, generating gas and dust mainly; since that time it is taken as active, reporting a new eruption on January 12, 2012.
In 2013 new eruptions within the normal range of activity were reported, without causing major risks or damage, they were primarily exhausted gas and ashes in a low proportion, the largest one happened on May 21, resulting in the largest volume of material and gases expulsion, so far.
During the morning of October 29, 2014, it was presented as a strong eruption, with several subsequent minor eruptions occurring in the morning and next day, forcing to move all emergencies agencies in the canton and a national level alert, due to the great expulsion of gases and ash magnitude.
On March 12, 2015, three eruptions of large dimensions were presented, which forced the closure of Juan Santamaria International Airport by the expulsion of large amounts of gases and ash containing juvenile material, reporting for the first time the output of magma, determining its entry to a new activity stage.
During October 2015, it entered into a period of shorter eruptions, but with a higher level of explosiveness.
The most representative flora species are oak (Quercus sp.), Orange blossom bush (Azahar de monte, Clusia sp.), Candelillo (Piper sp.), cipresillo (Cypress, Podocarpus sp.), Chili grind (Drymis granadensis), bayberry (Weinmannia pinnata), among others.
84 species of birds have been identified, being the most representative in the area of craters red tail hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), Frentiverde hummingbirds lance peak (Doryfera ludoviciae) and Chispita volcanera (Selaphorus flammula), Jilguerillos (Catharus ustulatus), Tangaras (Tangara spp.), carpenters (Picoides villosus). There have been reported 11 species of mammals such as the coyote (Canis latrans), rabbit (Sylvilagus dicei), armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), and smelly fox (epatus semistriatus).
Turrialba Volcano allows in clear days to observe magnificent landscapes of several points of the top and you can have a panoramic view of the Caribbean plains, the Turrialba valley, view massifs of the National Parks Braulio Carrillo (as Barva Volcano and Cacho Negro), Póas Volcano and the highest peaks of Talamanca mountain range.
Because the park is closed to the public, we recommend visiting agricultural areas and scenic areas in the Santa Cruz district surrounding the National Park.
There are no facilities for visitors.
Rates are established by Executive Decrees No. 38295 and 38546, but as indicated, due to visitor safety conditions, the park is closed to the public.
Feel free to reach out and we’re happy to answer any questions you may have.