what to do in rincon de la vieja
*This postal service may incorporate chapter links, as a result, nosotros may receive a small-scale commission (at no extra cost to you) on any bookings/purchases you make through the links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read our full disclosure.
Costa Rica is one of the most pop vacation destinations in the world – and with good reason. Itslush green forests, incredible outdoor adventure opportunities, and pristine beaches tin yield the perfect holiday for anyone.
With tourism booming year circular, it can feel like yous're constantly bumping elbows with other visitors, but luckily that's not the case for every destination in the country!
Rincón de la Vieja National Park is one of the least visited national parks in Costa Rica , but information technology is also ane of the most spectacular.
Every hiking trail within the park offers a unique, breathtaking expedition through i ofCosta rica's just dry tropical forest. And if you're more than interested in relaxing and (literally) soaking up all that nature has to offering, the park boasts incrediblenatural mud pools and hot springs!
Near Rincon de la Vieja National Park
Rincon de la Vieja is a volcano located about an 60 minutes away from Republic of liberia in the northern portion of the Guanacaste province. Though the volcano is considered active, it is safe to visit.The national park encompasses the volcano and surrounding geothermal mural.The entire area makes upwards part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Guanacaste Conservation Surface area.
There are 2 sections of the park – the Las Pailas and the Santa María sections.If y'all're driving in yourself, we recommend inbound from the Las Pailas entrance, as the roads leading to the Santa Maria entrance are more often than not unpaved and require an all-wheel-drive vehicle.
To admission the Las Pailas Zone,you lot enter the park and follow the Interamericana highway north a few miles until Guadalupe. The road and then becomes gravel for the remainder of your trip.
Hiking Trails in Rincon de la Vieja Costa Rica
There are vii major trails within the park ranging in difficulty, length, and terrain. Which trails you stop upward exploring will depend on the section of the park and ranger station that you get-go at!
Las Pailas Trails
Las Pailas Circular Sector Trail
Length: 3km (two miles)
Difficulty: High
This Las Pailas loop trail starts at the Las Pailas ranger station and winds through the extensive geothermal landscape. You'll seebubbling volcanicmud pits , and fumaroles, and if you visit during the rainy flavour, you can see the seasonal waterfall.
Boiling mud pots at Rincon de la Vieja National Park
Rio Blanco Spring Trail
Length: 800 m (0.five miles)
Difficulty: Moderate
This is a quick hike to the Poza del Rio Blanco – the river spring! You can swim hither, so make sure to pack your bathing adjust.
Escondidas Waterfall Trail
Length: iv.3km (iii miles)
Difficulty: Loftier
This is another hike that leads to a swimming pigsty! This trail leads to 3 cute waterfalls, but the hike there will have some steep inclines in both directions.
Rincon de la Vieja Crater Trail (CURRENTLY CLOSED)
Length: 8km (five miles)
Difficulty: High
If you're a sucker for a good vista point,the hike to the summit of the Volcan Rincon de la Vieja is a must-do. This is the highest point in the park, and the trail tin exist extremely challenging at times – especially during the rainy flavour! Due to the potential dangers hike, this trail has been closed since 2020.
Von Seebach Trail (CURRENTLY Closed)
Length: 8km (5 miles)
Difficulty: Loftier
Partway through the hike to the Volcan Rincon de la Vieja crater, there is a fork in the trail at the timberline. Left takes y'all to that volcano'due south summit, correct takes you to the Von Seebach summit. This trail is subject to closing, seeing as this volcano is considered active! It emits steam regularly and sometimes bubbles up.
Santa MaríaTrails
Colibri Trail
Length: 500 meters (0.iii miles)
Difficulty: Moderate
This is a short trail, but information technology's packed with wildlife! It'southward perfect for people interested in seeing agouti, peacocks and pizotes indigenous to the area. There is also the remnants of a sugarcane mill.
BONUS: Pailas – Santa Maria Trail
Length: 8km (5 miles)
Difficulty: High
If yous want to option just one trail to hike in Rincon de la Vieja, it should be this one! The Pailas – Santa Maria trail connects the two ranger stations inside the park and traverses the mountains in between. Along the trail, at that place will be several opportunities to veer off and feel the untamed beauty of the park – from pristine waterfalls to natural hot springs you tin take a dip in.
Visit Waterfalls
La Congreja Waterfall Trail
Length: 5km (3 miles)
Difficulty: High
The Escondidas Waterfall Trail and this trail starting time in the same identify for fork a couple kilometres in from the ranger station. While historically this trail has been the more popular of the two considering of its' sparkly blueish waters (it's been dubbed the "bluish lagoon" of Rincon de la Vieja), unfortunately, you lot can no longer swim hither! It's however a beautiful hike and an incredible waterfall, and yet very worth the trek in our opinion!
Chorreras Waterfall
Length: 2km (1.25miles)
Difficulty: Moderate
This is the closest waterfall to Hacienda Guachipelín that'southward easily reached on foot or horseback over roughly25 minutes each mode. The coulee is a lovely place to have a dip or merely admire the incredible nature. This cascading waterfall is perfect for those wanting a short walk with impressive views.
Oropéndola Waterfall
Length: 4km (2.5 miles)
Difficulty: Moderate
The sister waterfall to Chorreras. Upon inbound the Rincon de la Vieja national park via the Las Pailas section, you will find the trailhead to this impressively high waterfall plunging into the puddle below. The trail winds along the River Blanco making for a peaceful walk.
Oropendola Waterfall, Rincon de la Vieja National Park
On the bridge to Trail to Oropendola Waterfall, Rincon de la Vieja National Park
Victoria Waterfall
Length: 4km (2.5 miles)
Difficulty: High
You can reach the crystal blueish water of Victoria falls by starting at Hacienda Guachipelín.Exist aware at that place is a steep descent to get downwards to the falls. It is well worth information technology but brand sure yous bring plenty of food and water if you plan on spending some time hither. If yous hike downwardly, you take to hike back upwardly!
Rio Negro Waterfalls
Length: 1.3 km (0.8 miles)
Difficulty: Moderate
If you're planning to enjoy the healing powers of the Rio Negro hot springs, be sure to check out the waterfalls every bit well. The waterfall trail follows the Rio Negro river toiv different waterfalls, each with a small pool for swimming. It's a overnice style to explore the trails before enjoying a soak in the sulfur springs.
Wildlife and Vegetation in Rincon de la Vieja
Because this national park is located within a dry tropical rainforest, you'll encounter more unique wildlife and the vegetation here than you would anywhere else in the country. Instead of your typical Costa Rican rainforest – full of lush green copse and unfathomable biodiversity –this part of the state is characterized by rolling hills and copse sprouting yellowish, cerise, and orange flowers.
This surface area is also home to unique creatures similar theagouti, nine-banded armadillo, white-nosed coatis,spider monkeys, and 300 different bird species.
Activities and Adventure Centres in Rincon de la Vieja
At that place are loads of outdoor activities to explore in Rincón de la Vieja with adventure centres scattered around the park. They offering tours and a range of short or full-24-hour interval adventures to get your share of fun. Some of the best gamble centres in Rincón de la Vieja include:
Vandará Hot Springs & Adventures: Vandaráblends gamble and relaxation with ziplining, horseback riding, and a relaxing spa.Vandará offers 7 unlike packages that showcase the unique nature and culture of the Rincón de la Vieja area. Enjoy the park's lush grounds while swinging through the trees or splashing down the 400m (1313 ft) waterslide before relaxing with a mud mask.
Vida Aventura Nature Park:The 400 acres atVida Aventuraare all near nature, adventure, and relaxation. They offer outdoor activities similar horseback riding and ziplining, along with relaxation massages and an invigorating thermal pool. Plus, if you stay in one of their apartments, you lot'll get to enjoy each activity for only $25 per person.
Bluish River Resort:Terminate by for a 1-day eco-adventure tour or spend the week in a tropical cabana.Bluish River Resort has neat packages for tubing, hiking, horseback riding, and even a dinosaur park. The on-site thermal springs are perfect for a relaxing soak or plunge into the swimming pool on the exhilarating bullet water slide.
Buena Vista Del Rincon Eco Adventure Park, Hotel & Spa:Another dandy adventure centre celebrating nature, culture, adventure, wellness, and sustainability. Experience hanging bridges, bird watching, waterfall hiking trails, and more atBuena Vista Del Rincon. The tours are complemented by rustic wooden cabins set in a picturesque garden with a sun-soaked swimming pool.
Hacienda Guachipelin:Offering the widest range of activities in Rincón de la Vieja,Guachipelinhas a tour or action for everyone. See our detailed description of the adventure middle and its offerings below.
Activities at Hacienda Guachipelin
Without a doubt,Hacienda Guachipelin is our favourite adventure center and has been a staple on all of our visits. Guachipelin hasover 20 different tours to choose from with a range of thrills from canyoning to river rafting. The resort is a i-cease shop for accommodation, dining, hazard, and relaxation at their on-site spa.
In add-on to tours, Guachipelin has a butterfly garden, frog habitat, and serpentarium. There'due south so much to explore and the staff at the gamble center tin can assist you lot adjust a fun-filled trip.Beneath are some of ourelevation recommended activities at Guachipelin.
Ziplining
It wouldn't be a Costa Rican holiday without a quick zip through the rainforest! The best way to incorporate this take chances into your vacation is withGuachipelin's Canyon Awning Bout . The tour is very unique and is guaranteed to get your eye pumping!
After zooming along7 different ziplines, you lot'll get a chance to cross hanging bridges, swing on aTarzan swing, andrappel down a canyon. Plus, you lot can test your climbing skills on a natural rock climbing wall over the spectacular White River Coulee. The tour lasts 2 hours and costs $60 per developed.
It's our favourite tour in Rincón de la Vieja, non to mention one of the best zip lines in Costa Rica!
Tubing
TheRio Negro Tubing Adventure allows y'all to experience theclass 2 & 3 rapids of the Rio Negro safely, so anyone can do information technology! You bladder downwards the river with an experienced guide, stopping in calm pools periodically to take in your beautiful surroundings.
Horseback Riding
1 of the best ways to explore Rincón de la Vieja is on horseback! Guachipelin offers different horseback riding tours based on what kind of adventure you lot're subsequently. Choose fromriding to Las Chorreras Waterfall , touring the hot springs, or existence a full-blown cowboy for a 24-hour interval, there's a horseback take a chance for everyone.
Hiking
With then many breathtaking hiking trails to explore, you lot could spend a whole trip discovering them all. Nosotros dearest Guachipelin'sOne-Day Nature Tour that highlights all the unique flora and fauna of the park. Spend an afternoon hiking to multiple waterfalls, exploring the red pond, or joining aPrivate Total-Day Bird Watching Bout .
Mountain Biking
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, Guachipelin offers trail tours and mountain bike rentals for self-guided adventures. There are30 km of trails to explore passing by waterfalls and wildlife, all the while being the just trails in Costa rica to circle an agile volcano!
Canyoning
If you've e'er tried rock climbing, you lot might just love waterfall canyoning. You'llclimb and rappel downwards rock walls before cooling off in the splash of the river. It's certainly one of the most interesting ways to run into the river and definitely non for the faint of heart!
Spa Treatments
After hours of thrilling adventure, relaxing at the spa is an platonic style to finish the 24-hour interval. Many of Guachipelin's tours stop with asoothing soak in the Rio Negro hot springs and mud baths. They as well have the peacefulSimbiosis Spa on-site, offer saunas, massages, and mud masks.
Hot Springs
Due to the area's high levels of geothermal activity, natural thermal springs can be found all around Rincon de la Vieja! Our peak option is thehot springs of Rio Negro, accessible from the Las Pailas section. The waters are rich in minerals and known to haverejuvenating and therapeutic backdrop.You tin soak all day or soap upwardly with a mud mask to treat your pores to a spa body masque. At that place are10 different pools open from ix AM – 5 PM daily. Entrance is $25 per person and can be booked through Guachipelin.
Combo Tours
To go the nigh out of your visit, Guachepelin offersfantastic philharmonic tours blending adventure and relaxation.We recommend the1 Mean solar day Waterfalls Expedition to hitting 3 dissimilar waterfalls with a buffet luncheon and trip to the hot springs. Similarly, theHorseback Riding to the Rio Negro Hot Springs tour includes an hour-long horseback ride to both manmade and natural hot springs. All with a local guide explaining the wild fauna and terrain along the way.
And if you're not sure which one to pick, become for aI-Day Adventure Laissez passer! Y'all'll get4 tours in anewith a solar day filled with canyoning, tubing, hot springs, and a horseback ride. This is past far our favourite philharmonic parcel and one we recommend to those wanting to experience all this park has to offer.
Traveling to Rincon de La Vieja
How to Get There
Coming from Liberia Airport, bulldoze into the boondocks of Republic of liberia. At the main intersection, turn left and you will outset seeing signs for the Las Pailas sector of the national park. To visit the Las Pailas sector, plow correct at the entrance and continue for xx km (12 miles).
To visit the Santa Maria sector, don't make the turn into the offset park archway – instead, keep along the main road and you will start seeing signs for Santa Maria Ranger Station.(Reminder: the roads to Santa Maria are accessible simply with vehicles with four-wheel bulldoze, as they are generally unpaved.)
Entrance Fees
The park is open up every solar day of the week from 8 am – iv pm; the Las Pailas section is closed on Mondays. Entry for adults is $15, children ages 6-12 is $v.
Other Tips and Essential Travel Details
- For each day that you're spending in the park, make sure to bring a sizeable water bottle.In that location is a filling station at the admission part, but not within the park.
- Mosquitos aren't a huge problem here – as it is a dry rain forest – so you tin can clothing shorts while hiking.
- Thebest time to visit Rincón de la Vieja is during greenish season when volcanic action is at its peak. You lot'll encounter the nigh boiling mud pots, mini geysers, and powerful waterfalls in the woods.
- Make sure to utilise the toilet at the admission office – in that location are none inside the park!
Where to Stay While Exploring the Park
Hotel Hacienda Guachipelín
Hotel Hacienda Guachipelín is an eco-hotel/ranch is right outside of the park, offers beautiful rooms with complimentary breakfast, and can help you organize whatsoever kind of tour you'd like to do in the surface area.
Borinquen Mount Resort and Spa
Also located just outside of the park, Borinquen Mountain Resort and Spa is an eco-resort is another groovy option for all kinds of travelers. Their rooms are beautiful, they offer epic tour packages, and their on-site spa will assistance you relax and unwind later on a long solar day of adventure.
Rinconcito Lodge
Just 15 minutes away from the Santa María ranger station,Rinconcito Lodge is the perfect launchpad to explore Rincón de la Vieja. They have lovelygarden and mountain view rooms with an on-site eatery, relaxing puddle, and fantastic tours.
Have you visited Rincon de la Vieja National Park? What was your favourite office of the visit?
Source: https://drinkteatravel.com/rincon-de-la-vieja-national-park-costa-rica/
0 Response to "what to do in rincon de la vieja"
Post a Comment