Spend a few minutes reading about Costa Rica and you'll quickly find that it's a country of extraordinary natural beauty. Verdant rainforests, misty cloud forests and bucolic hills and pastures cover much of the country. A tremendous diversity of birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals can be found throughout the region. However, it's the volcanoes and other geologic features that truly make Costa Rica one of the most popular and beloved travel destinations in the world. Famous peaks like Arenal, Irazu and Rincon de la Vieja attract travelers and adventure-seekers from around the world, but there are other hidden gems to be found as well. The Miravalles volcano is a perfect illustration.

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Miravalles is part of the Miravalles Volcano Protected Zone, which is also referred to as the Miravalles National Park. The Miravalles Protected Zone was established in 1976 in order to protect the rich biodiversity and natural beauty of the region surrounding the volcano. It encompasses 28,840 acres of forests, jungles and mountains in an area between Rincon de la Vieja National Park and Tenorio National Park. Cloud forests and tropical rainforests cover much of the park. There are also a number of rivers and waterfalls throughout the area, particularly in the more tropical east. Jaguars, ocelots, cougars and other big cats prowl the park grounds, and a number of species of monkeys, tapirs and other mammals can be found as well. Bird watching is also a popular hobby in the area, as the range of ecosystems contained within the park makes it a great place to see a dizzying array of bird …show more content…
The area is about 100 miles north of the capital of San Jose, and while it's located well inland from the coast, it's not terribly far away from many of Costa Rica's most popular destinations. There isn't much development near the volcano area, so the small town of Bagaces is often used as a jumping-off point for adventures to Miravalles and the nearby Palo Verde National Park. Bagaces is about 14 miles north of Canas on Costa Rica's Highway 1. From there, Highway 164 leads northeast and slowly ascends to the volcano area and the town of La Fortuna de Bagaces. A loop road in this area leads toward Las Hornillas, which is home to Las Hornillas Volcanic Activity Center. This center is a prime destination if you're planning a visit to Miravalles, and it's a great place to begin your