Irazu Volcano

Costa Rica sits atop the Pacific Ring of Fire whose colliding tectonic plates are responsible for the country's spectacular volcanoes. Irazu Volcano, which we visited, is one of the five active volcanoes on the country

Since it is about 11,000 feet above sea level, it is usually very cold up there and often drizzly and windy making the visibility very low. We were told to dress in warm layers and bring an umbrella. We were so fortunate to have spectacular weather when we got up there, about 60 degrees. clear and sunny. Our tour guide told us that this was the first of his many trips there that he did not have a cold windy, wet day.

Since the park is above tree line, the wind and volcanic activity conspire to give it the effect of a moonscape. There are several craters rimmed by gnarled, scorched trees and lined with brilliantly colored rain fed mineral pools.