Costa Rica National Park Rincon de la Vieja

National Park Rincon de la Vieja has a size of about 14.000 hectares. It is located on the hills of the two volcanoes Rincon de la Vieja and Santa Maria in the so called "Cordillera de Guanacaste". Rincon de la Vieja has a height of about 5900 feet above sea level and belongs to the sleeping volcanoes. It´s neighbor Santa Maria has a height of 5000 feet and is extincted since a long time.

Drive to Liberia and from there 3 miles more until Guadelupe, where the street has a turn to the right leading to the park. From there you need to drive 7 miles more until Curubande and from there another 4 miles until Guachepelin. The last 3 miles of the way, you have to walk, if you do not come with a 4-wheel car. From the ranger station, you follow the trail to Rincon de la Vieja. After 10 minutes, you pass a turn to waterfall Rio Blanco, where you can take a bath. If you follow the trail, you come to the area of "Las Hornillas", famous for it´s steam fountains. It is an area of about 50 hectares, where many hot springs originate. The water of about 104 Fahrenheit collects in small natural pools.

If you walk on the trail from the ranger station to the west, you reach another area called "Las Pailas" with mud wholes as well as steaming and stinking clefts. If you continue, you reach a nice outlook point called Mirador Santa Maria.

Volcano Rincon de la Vieja with the beautiful lagune "Jilgueros" and it´s island in the middle, is not easy to climb. Watch the strong winds and be very careful walking up.

Park is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm, entrance fee is US$ 6 per person.