In order to outwit the authorities and risk their lives over a simple adventure, groups of people clandestinely climb to the top of Poás Volcano.
They do not mind walking up to five hours in mountainous areas, from Bajos del Toro (seven kilometers away), to be face to face with the colossus of Alajuela.
Poás Volcano National Park is closed since April 13th last year, due to the increase in eruptive activity that has been decreasing since last November. However, preventive measures to prohibit the entrance to the site were not dictated by chance. For example, officials of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) waited up to five months after the closure to return to the active crater viewpoint.
The order that restricts access to visitors two kilometers around said crater is still maintained, but the rangers of the park explained they have already surprised two groups of people illegally entering the park. Both groups were reported to the Public Ministry for the crime of contempt of authority and are subject to criminal proceedings.
Currently, the State authorities are working on a plan to reactivate the entry of tourists to the national park. It is estimated that SINAC has stopped receiving – at least – $2 million since the closure.