Poás Volcano Park Opens With Controlled Access

Authorities began to allow limited access to PoásVolcanoNational Park, north of San José, Saturday, after a series of eruptions closed it down last week.

It s almost back to normal, said Eliécer Duarte, a researcher with the Volcanic and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI), based at Universidad Nacional (UNA) in Heredia.

Visitors who wish to see the volcano, one of Costa Rica s top tourist attractions, will be limited to groups of 50, accompanied by a park official and a vehicle, and can stay for only 45 minutes. The Red Cross has installed a small station to attend to any emergencies that may arise, according to the National Emergency Commission (CNE). To facilitate evacuation in case of an emergency, parents are advised against bringing children to the park, reported the daily La Nación.

The park was closed after the volcano erupted multiple times March 24, launching sediment and rocks at least 150 meters in the air (TT, March 31). According to the CNE, Poás erupted 16 times.