Practicalities
A visit to Irazu is strictly for day-trippers, since there's nowhere to stay in the park and camping is not allowed. Only one public bus runs to the park, leaving from San Jose's Gran Hotel Costa Rica at 8am on weekends and public holidays only - be there early in high season to make sure you get a seat. The bus stops to pick up passengers at Cartago (from Las Ruinas) at 8.30am. The return fare is about US$4.50 (US$2.25 from Cartago), which doesn't include the park entrance fee. The bus pulls in at the crater parking area, where there are toilets, information and a reception centre containing a snack bar serving tamales , cakes and hot drinks, and a small gift shop which rents out waterproof ponchos (US$2) - it can get cold at the summit, so bring a sweater. The bus returns to San Jose at about 12.30pm. You can also get to Irazu on any number of half-day tours run by travel agencies in San Jose, which whisk you back and forth in a modern minibus for around US$35, not including the entrance fee.
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