Parque Nacional Volcán Poás is very famous, and the heavy traffic proves it. It is located 37km north of Alajuela and the journey is very enjoyable, going through winding, scenic roads. This national park is special compared to others around the region, for it is only here that you can look into a live volcano without going up the mountain. The centre of the park is the volcano itself, Volcán Poás, which last blew some fifty over years ago. The crater here is huge, up to 1.3km across and 300m deep, and it serves as a very good tourist spot. Most of the people come here to see the live action of steam and sulphurous mud being spewed into the air.