Information
Landmark: Rincon de la Vieja National ParkCity: Guanacaste
Country: Costa Rica
Continent: North America
Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, North America
Overview
In Costa Rica’s northwest, tucked into the Guanacaste Province, Rincón de la Vieja National Park ranks among the country’s most famous, with steaming vents and rugged trails winding through its volcanic slopes.The area’s famous for its rumbling volcanoes, rich wildlife, and endless ways to explore-whether you’re hiking a forest trail, soaking in a steamy hot spring, standing in the mist of a waterfall, or spotting a scarlet macaw overhead.The park lies within the Arenal-Hualien volcanic range, where steam rises from hot springs and the land shifts from steamy rainforest to dry forest and misty cloud forest.Rincón de la Vieja National Park lies in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) northeast of Liberia, covering roughly 14,083 hectares (34,800 acres) of rugged terrain.Established in 1973, it centers on the steaming, active stratovolcano that shares its name.The volcano, among the country’s most active, rises from the Cordillera de Guanacaste, where steam often curls from its slopes.Key features of Rincón de la Vieja National Park: 1.Rincón de la Vieja Volcano dominates the park’s landscape, its slopes leading to two distinct craters-Santa María and Rincón de la Vieja, where steam sometimes drifts into the cool mountain air.The volcano erupts often, sending up bursts of ash, and its steaming vents draw crowds eager to feel the heat under their feet.Visitors can wander among volcanic craters, feel the heat from steaming fumaroles, watch mud pots bubble thick and brown, and dip a hand near the edge of a shimmering hot spring.Steam hisses from the ground and the air smells faintly of sulfur, a reminder of the raw power at work here.Several trails wind toward the volcanic vents, including a rugged climb up to the Santa María Crater.Some trails take you past geysers and steaming mud pots, where the ground hisses and bubbles beneath your feet.Rincón de la Vieja’s well-kept paths range from easy walks to challenging climbs, winding through lush rainforest and stark volcanic terrain.One of the favorite hikes is the Las Pailas Trail, an easy-to-moderate path that winds toward the volcano’s steaming vents, bubbling mud pits, and warm, mineral-rich springs.As you explore, you might spot playful monkeys in the trees, iguanas sunning on warm rocks, or bright birds flashing through the leaves.The Crater Trail climbs steeply to the Santa María Crater, where sweeping views reveal forests, volcanoes, and the glint of the Pacific.The Oropendola Waterfall Trail is easier, leading to a turquoise pool beneath Oropendola Falls-perfect for a cool swim.Slightly tougher, the Rio Blanco Trail winds through rainforest to hidden waterfalls and steaming hot springs.Many of the park’s most breathtaking falls wait along these paths.These include Oropéndola Waterfall, a broad, breathtaking cascade spilling into a deep swimming hole where visitors can slip into cool, clear water; La Cangreja Waterfall, one of the park’s largest at 30 meters (98 feet), framed by dense green forest and a calm natural pool; Blanca Waterfall, famous for its thundering rush and striking scenery; and, thanks to the geothermal power of the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, several hot springs in and around the park where steam rises softly from the surface.Volcanic heat warms these hot springs, sending gentle steam into the cool air, and soaking in them melts away tension.At the thermal springs, you can slip into steaming pools framed by thick jungle leaves, the perfect reward after a long hike.The park also has natural mud baths where you can smooth warm volcanic clay over your skin, a practice many believe is good for the body.Rincón de la Vieja’s diverse ecosystems shelter everything from chattering monkeys to bright toucans.The park’s a great spot for wildlife watching, with tropical birds flashing bright feathers in the trees for anyone who loves spotting exotic species.Rincón de la Vieja National Park teems with life-you might spot howler or white-faced monkeys swinging through the canopy, coatis and agoutis rustling in the undergrowth, or even a solitary puma on the prowl.Birdwatchers can scan the treetops for toucanets, woodpeckers tapping at bark, bright parrots, and quick flashes of hummingbird wings.In the wetlands, iguanas bask on sun-warmed rocks while basilisks dart across the water’s surface, and frogs and salamanders hide in the damp shadows.The park spans several ecological zones, from the sun-baked tropical dry forest where plants and animals adapt to months without rain, to the lush tropical rainforest, its foliage heavy and glistening after an afternoon downpour.These forests shelter an incredible mix of plants and animals.Higher up, the landscape shifts into cloud forest, where the air turns cool and mist beads on every leaf.You can’t camp inside the park, but nearby you’ll find everything from simple wooden cabins to upscale lodges.Rincón de la Vieja Lodge sits just outside the park entrance, offering cozy rooms and eco-friendly adventures like guided hikes through steaming vents and relaxing dips in nearby hot springs.In the town of Liberia and along the coast, you’ll find plenty of hotels and resorts, many with easy access to beaches and water sports.The park lies about 25 km (15 miles) from Liberia-around a 30‑minute drive through Curubandé-and roughly four hours by car from San José via Route 1, the Pan-American Highway.Buses run regularly between San José and Liberia, where you can catch a taxi or local transport to the park.With its mix of lush forest, rugged trails, and volcanic wonders, Rincón de la Vieja National Park draws nature lovers, thrill‑seekers, and anyone captivated by dramatic landscapes.In the park, steam rises from bubbling geothermal pools, waterfalls tumble through green forests, and wildlife stirs in the shadows, while trails invite hikers, birdsong draws watchers, and warm hot springs offer a place to unwind.Volcanic activity-the sudden roar of magma pushing through rock-shapes the land in bursts of fire and ash.
