drives· Highland· Misty· Scenic Road
Poás Highlands
Persistent cloud, strawberry farms, dairy stands — the country between two volcanoes
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Vara Blanca
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Persistent cloud, strawberry farms, dairy stands — the country between two volcanoes
The Vara Blanca plateau sits at 2,000 metres between Poás Volcano to the southwest and the Barva massif to the southeast, in a band of near-permanent cloud that keeps the landscape cool and damp year-round. The road through this section of the highland connects the Central Valley to the northern Caribbean lowlands, and the transition it passes through — from urban Alajuela at 900 metres to the cloud-shrouded farms of Vara Blanca at 2,000 metres to the green plains of Sarapiquí below — covers more ecological variation than most full-day drives anywhere. Strawberry farms operate at the plateau level and sell fruit and jam from roadside stands that sit in the cloud. Dairy stands sell cheese and natilla in the same cold air. The landscape on clear mornings — which are rare — reveals the volcanic terrain on all sides: Poás to the south, the Barva highlands to the east, and the blue Caribbean lowlands far below.
This drive crosses 1,100 metres of elevation gain from urban Alajuela through cloud-shrouded highland farms to the Caribbean lowlands, compressing multiple ecosystems into a single route. Expect near-permanent cloud cover and cool, damp conditions at the plateau; clear mornings are rare but reveal volcanic terrain on all sides—Poás to the south, Barva highlands to the east, and the Caribbean plains below. Stop at roadside strawberry and dairy stands that operate in the cloud itself, selling fresh fruit, jam, cheese, and natilla produced at elevation.
Best Time to Visit
Visit December–April for the clearest volcano views and lowest rainfall, arriving by 8am before afternoon clouds roll in; mornings are crisp and visibility is best. May–November offers lush green scenery and fewer crowds, but expect frequent afternoon rain and reduced visibility—go early morning immediately after rain for the freshest mist and wildflowers. Vara Blanca itself is quieter than Poás volcano proper; weekdays are less crowded than weekends year-round.
Getting There
From San José, take the highway north toward Alajuela and continue toward Poás Volcano. Vara Blanca sits along the main road connecting the Central Valley to Sarapiquí in the northern lowlands, approximately 1.5-2 hours from San José.
What to Bring
Safety Considerations
Who This Is For
“Visit roadside farm stands in early morning before clouds thicken for the clearest views of Poás and Barva volcanoes, and to purchase fresh strawberries and artisanal cheese directly from producers while selection is best. Many stands close or have limited hours by mid-day.”
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Scenic Cafés
Espresso on a working coffee farm with valley views
Hidden Gems
The highland town where the town square is a topiary garden — and has been since 1964
Viewpoints
A famous and accessible active volcano
Viewpoints
One of the southern-facing viewpoints around Arenal Lake and the lava flow side of the volcano.
Scenic Cafés
One of the most beautiful and prestigious coffee-growing areas
Living traditions near this place
🪶 Indigenous Cultures
The last speakers of Maleku weave language into palm fiber
🏺 Slow Craft
The world's most ornate wheel, still painted by hand in the same workshops
🏔️ Mountain Foodways
The food that built the highlands
♨️ Thermal Culture
Volcanic heat meets river current in the most accessible thermal zone