Colinas del Poás Activities

Legacy and Culture
Costa Rican culture is a reflection of its racial mix. The predominant influence has long been European, which is reflected in aspects like official language - Spanish - to the architecture of the country's churches and other historical buildings. The indigenous influence is less apparent, yet it is present in the tortillas - part of the typical Costa Rican meal -, and the handcrafts: ceramics sold at roadside stands.

A more recent cultural influence is that of the United States, which can be noted in everything from the movie selection at San Jose's theatres to the fast food chains that line some of the capital's streets. An important aspect of the cultural heritage of the Costa Ricans is their love for peace and democracy. The ticos (Costa Ricans) like to point out that their nation is the exception of Latin America, since Politicsis long ruled by a democratic system and not by dictators.

The ticos are proud of having over a century of democracy and more than 50 years without army, which was abolished in 1948. The money that the country saves by not having armed forces is invested in improving living standards of the Costa Rican people, helping to the social peace that makes this country a pleasant place to visit.

Though a majority of Ticos, as Costa Ricans are commonly known, are descendants of Spanish immigrants, many families originated from other parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and, of course, Central America. A number of Caucasian people also live in the country, especially in the Central Valley. In the lowlands, more people are Matzo - a mixture of European and Indigenous blood - where as the majority of people along the Caribbean coast are of African lineage. The few remaining full-blooded Indians of various ethnicities live in the mountain areas.

Costa Rica is at 2,000 meters above sea level. Costa Rica's seasons are defined by two marked periods: Summer (dry season), from December to April, while the rainy season is from May to November; and winter (rainy season), from June to November. In general, the weather is cool - between 50 oF (10oC) and 70 oF (21oC) - with sunny days.

Costa Rica offers a great variety of climates, changing completely from one region to the next one. Alajuela downtown, for instance, where the Juan Santa Maria International Airport is located, is at 900 meters above sea level, presenting warm weather, with an average temperature of 86 oF (30°C); and just at 24 KM, at the foothills of Poas Volcano - at 2,700 m. above sea level - the temperature ranges from 41 °F (5°C) to 68 °F (20°C).

The rainy season (or 'green season') is from June to November. The climate in Costa Rica features favorable conditions year round; it gets
hotter in the costal areas. The temperature in the mountains is not cold, especially during the day, when it is like being in an 'eternal spring'. The annual average temperature ranges from 89°F (31, 7ºC), in the coastal zones to 63°F (16, 7ºC), inland. The rainy season (or 'green season') is from June to November; and from December to April, it almost does not rain at all.

"Colina del Poas" Map

This is an area of great natural beauty, and picturesque green landscapes. Highways remain in good conditions and they interconnect different towns.
Fraijanes and Poasito are districts of the "Sabanilla de Alajuela" Canton, a place recognized for its excellent quality coffee production. There are also flower and fern plantations for exportation, as well as dairy products, strawberries, and other agricultural products.

Close to "Colinas del Poas", there are restaurants - most of them offer typical Costa Rican dishes - as well as supermarkets, hardware shops, gas stations, health, religious and educational centers, allowing visitors to get away from noise and pollution, and at the same time, to have the comforts of the city.

In the Poas Volcano National Park, we find one of the active and accessible volcanoes. This mountain massif - 2,704 meters above sea level - is located at 37 kilometers up north Alajuela, and at 8 kilometers from "Colinas del Poas".
In addition, visitors can find information centers, hiking excursions, and picnics; as well as exhibition and health centers.

"Colinas del Poas" is located at the foothill of the volcano, reason why its topography and vegetation are pretty similar to the ones of the Poas and Barva volcanic mountain massifs.

INFORMATION ON ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY

This property is located in the Central Volcanic Mountain Range at 1,900 m.a.s.l.; between the Poas Volcano - northwest -, and the Barva Volcano - southeast. It is a rainy area with an annual rainfall of 3,500 mm. It experiences two seasons: Humid and dry, and presents the same characteristics of a high Montane Cloud Forest. Due to its proximity to the Poas Volcano (a little more than 6 kilometers away), it is important to remember its history of eruptions, including the one that stood out the most - in 1919 - that formed a huge volcanic ash cloud, rising above 8,000 meters. The last eruptive period, consisted of a major volcanic ash and incandescent lava clots emission, along with noise underground took place between 1952 and 1954. The last eruption of Poas Volcano occurred in 1980. The Barva Volcano (2,906 m. high) -also known as "Cerro Las Tres Marías" Volcano - is located on the top of the Central Volcanic Mountain Range. The forest hosts a wide array of vegetal species, including Epiphytes - plants that usually grow over other plants -, and a variety of orchids and arborescent ferns. The Cloud Forest exists - among other factors - thanks to the plants, which absorb water from the air using it as a nutrient. In fact, when clouds come into contact with mountain picks, and stop creating this incredible cloudy effect. The trees in this region are covered by moss, bromeliads and ferns. There are 6 main streams flowing into the Yurro Hondo River, whose water flows into the Poas River. In addition to the Poas Canopy Tour, where you can enjoy nature - while performing the adventure of your life - gliding through the treetops from platform to platform, at more than 100 feet high - while admiring nature below your feet, "Colinas del Poas" also offers: • Personnel in charge of providing information • Trails • Viewpoints • Communication System • Health Services • Lakes for trout fishing and boat trips • Restaurant, specialized in trout fish

BOOK NOW!!!