Costa Rica Intensifies Efforts Against Illegal Tours at Poás Volcano
Authorities address safety concerns following increased volcanic activity and unauthorized access to restricted areas.
Costa Rican park officials are receiving reports of companies promoting illegal tours to Poás Volcano via social media, despite the national park's closure due to heightened volcanic activity.
The Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) recorded an eruption early Thursday, intensifying concerns regarding safety in zones designated as restricted.
The Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and OVSICORI have outlined specific areas around Poás Volcano as high-risk owing to ongoing volcanic activity, particularly the Quemaderos sector and regions adjacent to the crater.
These areas are characterized by toxic gas emissions, unstable terrain, and sporadic rock expulsions.
On Thursday, an eruption detected at 2:14 a.m. produced an ash plume that reached 600 meters above the crater and sulfur dioxide emissions exceeding 600 tons per day, according to OVSICORI volcanologist Geoffroy Avard.
Poás Volcano National Park has remained closed to visitors since March 26, following a decision by MINAE and the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) due to increased seismic activity and ash emissions.
A spokesperson for MINAE confirmed, "The park remains closed to protect visitors and staff while conditions are assessed," emphasizing that the closure will persist until volcanic activity returns to safe levels.
Despite the park's closure, several companies have been reported as offering tours that involve illegal access to the park through unauthorized routes, charging fees for entry.
MINAE has stressed that unauthorized entry into protected areas violates Article 58 of Forestry Law 7575, which could lead to penalties ranging from three months to three years in prison.
Businesses or individuals found to be organizing these tours could also face fines and further legal implications.
The latest activity at Poás Volcano is summarized as follows:
- March 26: Park Closure Initiated due to seismic activity and ash emissions.
- March 29: Major Eruption producing a 1,000-meter ash plume.
- April 3 (2:14 a.m.): Recent Eruption resulting in a 600-meter ash plume and intense degassing.
The designated restricted zones, including the crater rim and Los Quemaderos, have been classified as protected due to their ecological vulnerability and geological hazards.
The restrictions are instituted based on scientific assessments, national regulations, and international conservation agreements.
Ashfall has been reported in surrounding communities including Zarcero and Grecia, with gas emissions posing significant health risks, as noted by Avard through ongoing monitoring.
Officials have urged the public to report any entities promoting tours to restricted areas.
A MINAE spokesperson remarked, "These activities not only breaching legal statutes but also pose significant safety threats." Unauthorized access is reported to complicate emergency response efforts, requiring rescuers to navigate hazardous terrain to assist individuals in distress.
Past events, such as the substantial 2017 eruption that led to over a year of park closure, illustrated the complexities involved in managing emergencies under such conditions.
The National Emergency Commission (CNE) has elevated the alert status for Poás Volcano to Orange Alert, the third of four threat levels, indicating a substantial ongoing risk.
Nearby regions, including Poás, Alajuela, and Sarchí cantons are under Yellow Alert, prompted by ashfall and sulfur odors, leading authorities to recommend that residents use masks and limit outdoor exposure.
Avard commented on the situation, saying, "We’re observing consistent seismic signals and gas outputs," highlighting the unpredictable nature of the volcano's activity.
The closure follows a pattern of intermittent shutdowns linked to Poás’ volcanic activity, including minor eruptions in January 2025. The significant phreatic eruption in 2017 resulted in extensive ash ejections and led to a prolonged closure accompanied by stricter safety measures.
On March 28, the U.S. Embassy in San José issued a travel advisory cautioning American visitors to avoid the Poás area until conditions stabilize.
MINAE and OVSICORI are conducting daily evaluations of seismic activity, gas levels, and ash dispersion to ascertain when the park may reopen.
A MINAE spokesperson stated that the decision to reopen will depend on a sustained reduction in volcanic indicators.
Meanwhile, authorities are concentrating on enforcing the closure and informing the public about the dangers of engaging in illegal tours.
Reports regarding these unauthorized endeavors have surfaced on digital platforms, including X, where users have cited offers for “exclusive” access to the volcano.
The CNE and MINAE are working collaboratively to identify and address these operators while underlining that such tours jeopardize efforts to safeguard both public safety and the park’s ecological integrity.
The Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) recorded an eruption early Thursday, intensifying concerns regarding safety in zones designated as restricted.
The Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and OVSICORI have outlined specific areas around Poás Volcano as high-risk owing to ongoing volcanic activity, particularly the Quemaderos sector and regions adjacent to the crater.
These areas are characterized by toxic gas emissions, unstable terrain, and sporadic rock expulsions.
On Thursday, an eruption detected at 2:14 a.m. produced an ash plume that reached 600 meters above the crater and sulfur dioxide emissions exceeding 600 tons per day, according to OVSICORI volcanologist Geoffroy Avard.
Poás Volcano National Park has remained closed to visitors since March 26, following a decision by MINAE and the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) due to increased seismic activity and ash emissions.
A spokesperson for MINAE confirmed, "The park remains closed to protect visitors and staff while conditions are assessed," emphasizing that the closure will persist until volcanic activity returns to safe levels.
Despite the park's closure, several companies have been reported as offering tours that involve illegal access to the park through unauthorized routes, charging fees for entry.
MINAE has stressed that unauthorized entry into protected areas violates Article 58 of Forestry Law 7575, which could lead to penalties ranging from three months to three years in prison.
Businesses or individuals found to be organizing these tours could also face fines and further legal implications.
The latest activity at Poás Volcano is summarized as follows:
- March 26: Park Closure Initiated due to seismic activity and ash emissions.
- March 29: Major Eruption producing a 1,000-meter ash plume.
- April 3 (2:14 a.m.): Recent Eruption resulting in a 600-meter ash plume and intense degassing.
The designated restricted zones, including the crater rim and Los Quemaderos, have been classified as protected due to their ecological vulnerability and geological hazards.
The restrictions are instituted based on scientific assessments, national regulations, and international conservation agreements.
Ashfall has been reported in surrounding communities including Zarcero and Grecia, with gas emissions posing significant health risks, as noted by Avard through ongoing monitoring.
Officials have urged the public to report any entities promoting tours to restricted areas.
A MINAE spokesperson remarked, "These activities not only breaching legal statutes but also pose significant safety threats." Unauthorized access is reported to complicate emergency response efforts, requiring rescuers to navigate hazardous terrain to assist individuals in distress.
Past events, such as the substantial 2017 eruption that led to over a year of park closure, illustrated the complexities involved in managing emergencies under such conditions.
The National Emergency Commission (CNE) has elevated the alert status for Poás Volcano to Orange Alert, the third of four threat levels, indicating a substantial ongoing risk.
Nearby regions, including Poás, Alajuela, and Sarchí cantons are under Yellow Alert, prompted by ashfall and sulfur odors, leading authorities to recommend that residents use masks and limit outdoor exposure.
Avard commented on the situation, saying, "We’re observing consistent seismic signals and gas outputs," highlighting the unpredictable nature of the volcano's activity.
The closure follows a pattern of intermittent shutdowns linked to Poás’ volcanic activity, including minor eruptions in January 2025. The significant phreatic eruption in 2017 resulted in extensive ash ejections and led to a prolonged closure accompanied by stricter safety measures.
On March 28, the U.S. Embassy in San José issued a travel advisory cautioning American visitors to avoid the Poás area until conditions stabilize.
MINAE and OVSICORI are conducting daily evaluations of seismic activity, gas levels, and ash dispersion to ascertain when the park may reopen.
A MINAE spokesperson stated that the decision to reopen will depend on a sustained reduction in volcanic indicators.
Meanwhile, authorities are concentrating on enforcing the closure and informing the public about the dangers of engaging in illegal tours.
Reports regarding these unauthorized endeavors have surfaced on digital platforms, including X, where users have cited offers for “exclusive” access to the volcano.
The CNE and MINAE are working collaboratively to identify and address these operators while underlining that such tours jeopardize efforts to safeguard both public safety and the park’s ecological integrity.
