No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsRincón de la Vieja Volcano Erupts in Costa Rica

Rincón de la Vieja Volcano Erupts in Costa Rica

Yesterday, the Rincón de la Vieja volcano in northwestern Costa Rica erupted, sending a column of ash 2,000 meters above its crater. The eruption, reported by the Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica (Ovsicori) at 7:13 a.m. No immediate damage or injuries were reported, and local communities remain unaffected so far. Authorities are keeping a close watch, as the volcano has a history of frequent activity.

Rincón de la Vieja is about 270 kilometers from San José and sits within the national park known for its hiking trails and geothermal features like hot springs. The volcano, standing at 1,896 meters, has been active in recent years, with notable eruptions in 2023 that produced ash clouds up to 3,000 meters high. This latest event, described as phreatic—caused by the interaction of hot magma and water—fits the volcano’s pattern of releasing steam and ash without major explosions. Ovsicori noted that while the eruption was significant, it doesn’t signal an immediate risk of a larger event.

Costa Rica’s National Emergency Commission (CNE) has not yet raised the alert level from its current status, but monitoring continues. In 2023, the volcano’s frequent activity led to an orange alert, one step below the maximum red level, after 58 eruptions were recorded in a single month. For now, officials advise tourists and locals to stay updated through local news and avoid restricted areas near the crater.

The eruption comes amid heightened volcanic activity in Costa Rica, with Poás Volcano also making headlines in April for ash plumes reaching 4,500 meters. For those planning to visit Guanacaste’s any time this week or even later, checking for park closures or safety advisories is a smart move.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Warns on Methanol Risks in Alcohol Amid Regional Outbreaks

Costa Rica's health officials have stepped up alerts on the dangers of methanol poisoning from contaminated alcohol, aligning with similar actions across Latin America...

Belize Signs Safe Third Country Deal with US for Asylum Seekers

Belize and the United States have sealed a deal that positions Belize as a temporary host for migrants pursuing asylum in the U.S., according...

Tourist Numbers Dropped in Costa Rica During 2025’s First Seven Months

Costa Rica's tourism took a hit in the first seven months of 2025, with visitor numbers dropping compared to the previous year. By the...

Trump Says He Will End US Aid to Colombia as Tensions Spike

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday accused his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, of tolerating drug production and announced he would end “large-scale payments...

Expat Guide to Bilingual Schools in Guanacaste Costa Rica

When my wife and I moved to Costa Rica we were gloriously young and childless. Needless to say, childhood educational options were absent from...

Guatemalan Migrant Children Fear Deportation by Trump

At 15, I.B. fled poverty and an abusive father in Guatemala. She emigrated alone to the United States, like hundreds of children living in...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica