Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Reached by a tortuous, rugged road (4WD recommended), this working sheep and cattle
ranch 14km northwest of Santa Cruz truly gets you away from it all. Tidy, lemon-yellow
cabinas
come with wood stoves and full kitchens, and many offer fantastic views of Vol-
cán Turrialba. The staff can also organize hikes and horseback rides.
Meals (US$15 to US$19) feature typical country cooking and are served in front of a
blazing stove at the restaurant-lounge, where there is a TV, board games and a small bar. It
gets chilly up here, so bring warm clothes.
Information
Because of the recent volcanic activity, it's imperative to inquire locally about conditions
in the national park before attempting a visit. If and when the summit reopens, bear in
mind that the average temperature is only about 15°C (59°F), so dress accordingly.
Getting There & Away
The volcano is only about 15km northwest of Turrialba as the crow flies, but more than
twice that far by car. From the village of Santa Cruz (13km from Turrialba and connected
via public buses), an 18km road climbs to the top of the volcano. At the time of research, it
was only possible to drive as far as Volcán Turrialba Lodge, about 6km shy of the summit.
