The Barva volcano is located in the province of Heredia and is the third highest volcano in Costa Rica after the Irazu and Turrialba volcanoes. 

Not to worry, the Barva volcano is considered “dormant” and that is why you can get close to its beautiful green lagoon. If you are lucky, you will be able to see this place covered in mist, which makes the landscape mysterious and very peaceful. 

In pre-Columbian times, this area was inhabited by the Huetar de Occidente kingdom, ruled by King Garabito. Because of the long and interesting history of the Barva volcano, there are many legends and tales about this place. 

One of these legends is that of the Barva Lagoon, which tells the story of when the Aztec people of the Calpixquis arrived in the Abra Valley (what today would be the Western Central Valley) with a matasano tree and an image of a snake. They wanted to leave these offerings in the Huetar village, but when they left the snake on the ground, a lot of water began to flow from it. The Huetars asked them to leave the tree alone and take the snake with them, so the Calpixquis deposited it on top of the Barva volcano. This is how the volcano’s lagoon was born. 

Take a walk around the Barva Volcano and soak up the history of Costa Rica and its rainforests. 

Author: Mónica Gallardo for Sensorial Sunsets

Source: Wikipedia