Encounter Rincon de la Vieja
Authentic Central American Experiences For Your Clients Request A Quote
Tucked away in the Northern Guanacaste Province, the Rincon de la Vieja National Park was created in 1972 and protects over thirty streams and rivers that have their source there.
Everywhere you go you’ll hear the rush of hidden cascades and murmuring brooks. The park is named after the legend of an indigenous Chorotega girl whose disapproving father threw her lover into the crater of the volcano. Mourning her lost love she became a recluse on the mountaintop, where she developed healing powers. It is thought that these powers are now present in the volcanic hot-springs that flow from the mountain and are one of the major draws of the region.
Costa Rica’s countryside and cowboy culture
Guanacaste is a true country wonderland with dry and tropical forests and herding pastures of grazing cows and Sabaneros (the local cowboys). You can see children play on the street and grandmas on their porch in their rocking chairs as you go through quiet, sleepy villages. The distance and serenity of the country are interesting, but things are not so peaceful under the surface of the earth. The volcano of Rincon is always steamed and rumbled down, with hidden volcanoes and several volcanic ponds and mudpots spitting amongst the forests. The region can be enjoyed in many respects, from adventurous hikes, recalls, hiking and canopy rides to calming horse rides, gentle walks and hot springs.
build your clients trip with our experts
WHAT NOT TO MISS IN
Rincon de la Vieja
Hike to the Volcano
If you are ready for a challenge, then take on the Las Pailas Trail near the entrance of the National Park to hike to the volcano’s crater. There is a 2.5-hour version of the trail for a less extreme hike, which leads you to waterfalls, hissing volcanic mud pots, and natural hot springs.
Tubing Adventure
Have a relaxing and thrilling tubing experience in Rincon de la Vieja. Enjoy bouncing and splashing your way down gentle Class II and III rapids in a crystal clear river. There are several quiet pools and calm water where you’ll be able to appreciate the surrounding beautiful tropical scenery.
Zipline Adventure
Feel the adrenaline rush of flying through the treetops and zip-lining your way across canyons in Rincon de la Vieja. Experiencing a canopy zip line is a fast, exciting, and unforgettable adventure that is a must-do during your stay in Rincon de la Vieja.
Horseback Riding
Saddle up! You can enjoy the beautiful dry-tropical scenery outside the National Park like a true Sabanero (local cowboy) on a horseback riding excursion. The horses used for riding on are well-preserved, uniform, clean, and well educated, making it suitable for kids and beginners and seasoned riders.
Volcanic Hot Springs & Mud Bath
Natural Spa Day! The thermal hot springs in Rincón de La Vieja are just as beautiful as relaxing. Heated naturally by the Volcano, you’ll be able to unwind in the peace and quiet of your surroundings. Later on, get muddy and soak away your troubles—the ancient Chorotega Indian ritual of a volcanic mud bath.
Rio Celeste Waterfalls
Admire the breathtaking beauty of the turquoise blue Rio Celeste Waterfalls at the nearby Tenorio Volcano National Park. Plunging 64 ft. down into an incredibly sky blue, almost turquoise pool of water below, Rio Celeste is a natural, beautiful, and hidden wonderland!
destination map
| Title | Address | Description | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
San José | San José, Costa Rica | Sprawling and chaotic at first sight, San José is nonetheless a vibrant capital with plenty to see and do. There are still pockets of colonial gems around San José and some very fine museums and green spaces, as well as a lively cultural life.Read more… | |||
Manuel Antonio | Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, Provincia de Puntarenas, Quepos, Costa Rica | In the Manuel Antonio National Park you’ll find sloths, iguanas and the rare squirrel monkey among many other species. In the pristine waters around the perfect bays there is a flurry of marine life from dolphins and turtles to whales and colorful tropical fish.Read more… | |||
Arenal & La Fortuna | Volcán Arenal, Provincia de Alajuela, San Carlos, Costa Rica | The presence of the impressive Arenal Volcano is everywhere. Whether strolling around La Fortuna village, canopy rappelling in the forest, boating along Lake Arenal, horseback riding or hiking the countryside…adventure lies around every corner.Read more… | |||
Monteverde | Provincia de Puntarenas, Monteverde, Costa Rica | Home to Costa Rica’s most stunning and pristine Cloud Forest where you can find birds, monkeys and people (zip-lining of course) flying through the trees! There are plenty of adventures from the Sky Walk to horseback riding and hiking.Read more… | |||
Tortuguero | Tortuguero, Limón, Costa Rica | On Costa Rica’s northern Caribbean Coast,, Tortuguero is a water world made up of canals, lagoons, streams and dense rainforest. Known as the ‘Land of Turtles’, Tortuguero is one of the world’s most important turtle nesting sites! Read more… | |||
Puerto Viejo | Limón, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica | The laid-back pace of this Caribbean beach town is bound to win you over. Here you’ll get a taste of Costa Rica’s Creole culture and enjoy the adventures of the nearby Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Reserve as well as relaxing in its calm Caribbean waters. Read more… | |||
Tamarindo | Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo, Costa Rica | This once small, unassuming fishing village on the Pacific Coast has become the center of Costa Rica’s high-end beach scene. Tamarindo offers designer shopping, incredible restaurants and plenty of nightlife for those seeking a not so quiet beach setting. | Nicoya Peninsula | Península de Nicoya, Costa Rica | Jutting out out into the Pacific, this tropical peninsula is a mountainous and sparsely populated area with an abundance of wildlife. The stunning coastline is dramatic and unspoiled with long stretches of sandy beaches backed by jungle.Read more… |
Rincon de la Vieja | Volcan Rincon de la Vieja, Provincia de Guanacaste, Costa Rica | There are many ways to experience the area ranging from hiking, rappelling, rock-climbing and canopying to relaxing horseback rides and soaking in the volcanic hot springs flowing from the mountain – one of the major draws of the region.Read more… | |||
Central Highlands | Cordillera Central, San José, Costa Rica | This region has some of the highest mountains in Costa Rica with cool, misty cloud forests and rushing rivers. It runs from Nicaragua to Panama and separates Costa Rica’s Caribbean and Pacific Coasts, creating two very different climatic regions. Read more… | |||
Osa Peninsula | Peninsula de Osa, Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica | The Osa Peninsula is an untouched natural wonderland with wildlife-filled rainforests and palm-backed Pacific beaches. Visit the Osa Peninsula’s Corcovado National Park where almost one-tenth of all the mammals found in the Americas live! Read more… | |||
Sarapiqui | Heredia, Sarapiquí, Costa Rica | Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui in the lush Caribbean lowlands is known for its natural environment filled with tropical flora, and for the broad Sarapiqui River that flows through it. Read more… |
Depending on your client’s preferences, we can help you determine the best experiences tailored for your clients. From where to visit, when to go, what to do and how to get there safely, our travel experts will help you create an experience your clients will love.
Best times to visit Rincón de la Vieja
Rincon de la Vieja’s green season is one of the best periods (May to November). This is the most active moment for the volcanic fountains and boiling mud pots. Typically the crater is in a cloud on the flipside, so it’s not the safest time to walk uphill.
practical information
HOW TO GET THERE
Rincon de la Vieja is located close, about an hours drive to Costa Rica’s second international airport Liberia. Rincon de la Vieja can be reached easily by road from san Jose (about 5 hours) as well as the pacific coast (Tamarindo), Arenal and Monteverde.
The road is asphalted all the way to the lodges in Rincon de la Vieja and the drive is easy.
GETTING AROUND
The best way to get around Rincon de la Vieja is if you have your own car, you can visit easily the hot springs and the National Park and the roads are beautiful to drive. if you arrived with a shuttle, the only way to visit the hot springs or the national park is by booking a tour through your lodge.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation in Rincon de la Vieja is limited and most of the accommodation are lodges, there is one 3-star superior lodge and some comfort lodges. Most lodges offer food and excursions as well.
More highlights of Costa Rica
With eight local offices in Latin America, we have the perfect base to help you build the perfect trip for your clients. Unrivaled experience with a wide selection of bed & breakfasts, small posadas, unique boutique hotels and world class luxurious lodging.