Hiking Tours in Rincon de la Vieja National Park with Hacienda Guachipelin
Tour / Activity Description
There are many hiking trails around Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Here are twelve options we created so that you can enjoy nature at its best.
1 – Hike to Las Chorreras Waterfall – $27
Swim and Relax at Las Chorreras Waterfall – 1.5 Hours.
Near the Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, Las Chorreras waterfall is a beautiful place where you can relax in nature and swim in a pool formed by a tropical waterfall.
Two twin falls cascade into a spectacular pool of sky blue mineral waters. A small canyon of volcanic rock surrounds the falls and the pool, creating an intimate and private tropical oasis for a refreshing dip.
Las Chorreras waterfall is located 1.5 km from Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin. Walk for 30 minutes on beautiful trails in the forest to reach the waterfall, with the picturesque landscape of the dry tropical forest and observing the wildlife that we find on the way. You will have plenty of time to relax at the waterfall before walking back to the hotel.
2 – Hike to Las Pailas Trails – $37
Explore the Rincon de la Vieja National Park via Las Pailas Trails – 3 Hours.
The Las Pailas trails of Rincon de la Vieja National Park are located very close to Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin.
The Las Pailas sector spectacularly shows the power of the Rincon de la Vieja volcano, the most active and largest volcano in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Steam and sulfur come from natural fumaroles of the yellow and rusty soil. Witness clay pails in various shades of brown with boiling volcanic water, fine gray volcanic mud bubbles and explosions in large pails. This volcano is like no other in Costa Rica.
With our bilingual naturalist guide, you can walk the 3.5-km Las Pailas circular path through the tropical forest to enjoy the best views of the volcano, incredible nature, volcanic activity, and wildlife. The park is home to more than 300 species of birds, and many other animals, such as armadillos, bays, iguanas, coatis and white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys and spider monkeys. When we finish in the park, our one-day tour in Guanacaste ends with the walk back to Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin.
The entrance fee to Rincon de La Vieja National Park is not included in the price. ($15)
3 – Hike to Las Chorreras & La Victoria Waterfalls – $37
Trek through the Forest to Two Beautiful Waterfalls – 2.5 Hours.
The stunning Victoria waterfall dramatically drops 115 feet (35 meters) into the Black River (Rio Negro). Its surrounding canyon has unique vegetation and topography, and you can swim in the crystal clear pool at the waterfall’s base. This is where our incredibly fun Rio Negro Tubing Adventure starts its downriver trip.
Victoria Waterfall is located 2.5 miles (four km) from Hacienda Guachipelin. We walk an hour on pretty forest trails to get to the falls, taking in the picturesque scenery of the dry, tropical forest and sighting any wildlife along the way. Once at the river, there is a short, steep descent down to the waterfall pool. You will have plenty of time to relax at the river before your walk back to the hotel.
See our Horseback riding tour to Victoria and Chorreras Waterfalls for another option to this Guachipelin adventure.
4 – Hike to Las Pailas Trails & La Oropendola Waterfall – $42
Trek to La Oropendola Waterfall and Las Pailas Trails – 3.5 Hours.
The Las Pailas sector spectacularly showcases the power of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, the most active and largest volcano in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Fumaroles, geysers, bubbling mud pots, and many other attractions give you an experience that you won’t find in any other volcano in Costa Rica.
With our bilingual naturalist guide, walk the 3.5-km Las Pailas circular path through the tropical, dry forest to enjoy the best views of the volcano, volcanic activity, incredible nature, and wildlife sightings. You may see more than 300 species of birds and many other animals, such as bays, armadillos, coatis, iguanas, and white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, and spider monkeys.
When you finish the hike, get ready for a refreshing dip in the La Oropendola Waterfall. From the entrance of the national park is a small walk along a path of varied terrain that leads to the river. You also walk a small distance inside the river until you reach the waterfall. La Oropendola waterfall, with its impressive 25 meters, falls into a bubbling turquoise pool in the exuberant canyon of the Blanco River, creating an incredible tropical oasis.
After relaxing for a while at the waterfall, our one-day Guanacaste tours end with the return walk to Hacienda Guachipelin. You can also reach the Rincon de la Vieja National Park and La Oropendola Waterfall using the hotel’s transportation, in one or both directions. It’s 10 minutes by car from the hotel.
The entrance fee to Rincon de La Vieja National Park is not included in the price. ($15)
5 – Hike to Las Pailas & Rio Negro Hot Springs & Mud Baths – $45
Trek to Las Pailas Trail Before Relaxing in Natural Hot Springs & Mud Baths – 4.5 Hours.
Meaning “The Cauldrons” in Spanish, the Las Pailas area spectacularly shows off the awesome power of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, the largest and most active volcano in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Steaming fumaroles, mini-geysers and bubbling volcanic mud pits give you an incredible experience like no other volcano in Costa Rica.
Hiking in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park on the Las Pailas loop trail takes you 2.5 miles (3.5 km) through dry tropical forest to see the best views of the volcano, incredible nature, volcanic activity and wildlife. Our bilingual naturalist guide will point out many of the 300 bird species that live here, and any other animals, like white-faced, howler and spider monkeys, armadillos, collared peccaries, iguanas, snakes, or white-nosed coatis.
When you finish your hike, a car will be ready to take you to the Rio Negro Hot Springs, one of the most popular attractions at Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Surrounded by thick tropical dry forest, Rio Negro (Black River) flows through 10 man-made pools filled with steaming mineral-rich volcanic waters. You access pools on both sides of the river by two hanging bridges. Heated volcanic clay is available to smooth all over like a spa “body masque.” After it dries, wash it off with cold river water before jumping back in the hot pools.
There are changing rooms, bathrooms and lockers at the hot springs entrance. From there, you will walk a beautiful trail less than a quarter-mile (350 meters) through the forest to the hot springs pools.
The entrance fee to Rincon de La Vieja National Park is not included in the price. ($15)
6 – Hike to La Cangreja Waterfall – $55
Journey to the Beautiful La Cangreja Waterfall in the National Park – 5 Hours.
Do not miss out on one of the best day tours in Guanacaste, Costa Rica! Walk five km inside the national park to reach the waterfall. Along the trail you can see wildlife such as white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys and spider monkeys, coatis, armadillos, agoutis, iguanas, and birds such as the bobo bird or the emerald tucancillo.
From 40 meters high, a bubbling white water flow comes out from among the green forest, and the La Cangreja Waterfall forms a transparent pool of blue water at its base. Copper minerals that come from the volcano, dissolved in the water, give the water a heavenly blue color. Our bilingual naturalist guide provides a picnic lunch for you to enjoy next to the waterfall. Come relax in pure paradise!
Transportation to the entrance of the national park and the return trip is by vehicle from Hacienda Guachipelin (10 minutes per trip).
The entrance fee to Rincon de La Vieja National Park is not included in the price. ($15)
7 – Hike to Las Pailas, La Oropendola Waterfall & Rio Negro Hot Springs – $55
Hike to three amazing spots in the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park – 5 Hours.
Meaning “the cauldrons” in Spanish, the Las Pailas area spectacularly shows off the awesome power of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, the largest and most active volcano in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Steaming fumaroles, mini-geysers and bubbling volcanic mud pits give you an incredible experience you can’t find at any other volcano in Costa Rica.
Hiking in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park on the Las Pailas loop trail takes you 2.5 miles (3.5 km) through dry tropical forest to see the best views of the volcano, incredible nature, volcanic activity, and wildlife. Our bilingual naturalist guide points out many of the 300 bird species that live here, and any other animals, like white-faced, howler and spider monkeys, armadillos, collared peccaries, iguanas, snakes, or white-nosed coatis.
When you finish your hike, get ready for a refreshing swim in the Oropendola waterfall. It is a short walk from the national park entrance on a trail with varying terrain to get down to the river bottom. The Oropendola waterfall plunges an impressive 82 feet (25 meters) to a sparkling turquoise pool in the lush canyon of the Rio Blanco (White River), creating a picturesque tropical oasis.
After your swim, a car is waiting to take you to the Rio Negro Hot Springs, one of the most popular attractions at Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Surrounded by thick tropical dry forest, Rio Negro (Black River) flows through 10 manmade pools filled with steaming mineral-rich volcanic waters. You access the pools on both sides of the river by two hanging bridges. Heated volcanic clay is available to smooth all over your body like a spa body mask. After it dries, wash it off with cold river water before jumping back in the hot pools.
There are changing rooms, bathrooms, and lockers at the hot springs entrance. From there, you walk a beautiful trail less than a quarter-mile (350 meters) through the forest to the hot springs.
The entrance fee to Rincon de La Vieja National Park is not included in the price. ($15)
8 – One-Day Nature Pass – $60
Spend a Full Day in Costa Rican Nature – 5 Hours.
Enjoy the best nature tour in Guanacaste, Costa Rica with the one-day Nature Pass at Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin. Observe breathtaking nature and wildlife, incredible volcanic activity, and scenic beauty of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, and return home with amazing vacation memories after this Hacienda Guachipelin combo tour.
Spend time in the butterfly garden, frogs display, and serpentarium, where you can take a picture with an immense boa! Then enjoy a walk to the Mirador before being transported to the waterfalls in the Rio Negro. There, you get to partake in the hot springs and a relaxing volcanic mud bath. The package also includes a delicious lunch at Hacienda Guachipelin Restaurant.
9 – Hike to Las Pailas Trail & Simbiosis Spa – $65
Enjoy a Trek to Las Pailas Trail, Then Relax in Our Hotel Spa – 4.5 Hours.
See the best of Guanacaste on this combination tour at Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Hike the Las Pailas Trails in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park by one of Costa Rica’s most active volcanoes and relax in natural volcanic hot springs for the perfect day.
The Las Pailas (“the cauldrons”) area spectacularly shows off the awe-inspiring power of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, the most active and largest volcano in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Sulfur and steam flow out of the rust-colored and yellow ground at natural fumaroles. Coffee-colored and clay pools boil with hot volcanic water. Smooth gray volcanic mud explodes and bubbles in large pits. This is an experience unlike any other volcano in Costa Rica.
Hike the Las Pailas loop trail 2.5 miles (3.5 km) through dry tropical forest with a bilingual naturalist guide. The park is home to more than 300 bird species, and other animals like collared peccaries, iguanas, white-nosed coatis, snakes, armadillos, and white-faced, spider, and howler monkeys.
When you finish your hike, reach the Simbiosis Spa, located a short distance from the entrance to the park and surrounded by thick forest. We invite you to enjoy our sanctuary at Simbiosis Spa in Costa Rica, amid the healing and peaceful energy of pure nature. Simbiosis Spa offers luxury spa services, scenically set next to the bubbling Colorado River in the rare tropical dry forest of Guanacaste, at the foot of the majestic Rincon de la Vieja Volcano.
For the best natural spa experience, we recommend starting with the sauna for about 10 or 15 minutes to open up all your pores. Then you should apply the pure volcanic clay – which comes directly from our volcanic mud pans – all over your body. Wait for the mud to dry and then wash it off in the showers.
Now it’s time to relax in one of our three pools with clay hot springs. Finish your treatment with a cold shower so that your pores can close again and you will feel like a newborn.
The entrance fee to Rincon de La Vieja National Park is not included in the price. ($15)
10 – Hike to Las Pailas, La Oropendola Waterfall & Simbiosis Spa – $70
Hike in the National Park, Swim in a Waterfall & Relax in Our Spa – 6.5 Hours.
See the best of Guanacaste on this combination tour at Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Hike the Las Pailas Trails in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park by one of Costa Rica’s most active volcanoes, visit a beautiful rainforest waterfall, and relax in natural volcanic hot springs … what a perfect day!
The Las Pailas area, which means “the Cauldrons” in Spanish, spectacularly shows off the awesome power of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, the largest and most active volcano in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Steam and sulfur pour out of the yellow and rust-colored ground at natural fumaroles. Clay and coffee-colored pools boil with hot volcanic water. Smooth gray volcanic mud bubbles and explodes in large pits. It’s an experience like no other volcano in Costa Rica.
With a bilingual naturalist guide, hike the Las Pailas loop trail 2.5 miles (3.5 km) through the dry tropical forest. The park is home to more than 300 bird species, and other animals like armadillos, collared peccaries, iguanas, snakes, white-nosed coatis, and white-faced, howler and spider monkeys.
When you finish your hike, you’ll be ready for a swim in the Oropendola Waterfall, located near the national park entrance. The falls plunge an impressive 82 feet (25 meters) to a cool turquoise pool in the lush canyon of the Rio Blanco (White River).
A short distance from the waterfall and surrounded by thick forest is the Simbiosis Spa. Renew, relax, and restore your natural balance. We invite you to experience our sanctuary at Simbiosis Spa in Costa Rica, amid the peace and healing energy of pure nature. Simbiosis Spa offers luxury spa services, scenically set beside the bubbling Colorado River in the rare tropical dry forest of Guanacaste, at the foot of the majestic Rincon de la Vieja Volcano.
For an optimal natural spa experience, we recommend starting with the sauna for about 10-15 minutes to open all the pores of your skin. Then we recommend applying pure volcanic clay – which comes directly from our volcanic mud pans – all over your body. Wait for the mud to dry and then wash it in the showers. Now it’s time to relax in one of our three pools with clay hot springs. Finish your treatment with a cold shower so that the pores of your skin can close again and your skin will feel baby-soft.
The entrance fee to Rincon de La Vieja National Park is not included in the price. ($15)
11 – One Day Waterfall Expedition – $110
ENJOY A RELAXING DAY EXPLORING WATERFALLS – 7 Hours.
The perfect day for nature and water lovers! Waterfalls are one of the most majestic things you can find in Hacienda Guachipelin, Rincon de la Vieja Guanacaste. Some of them are perfect for a swim, others to take a jump or simply to admire their beauty. Pristine waterfalls, jungle forest, natural hot springs are the main attractions that you will enjoy on this unforgettable expedition day.
Chorreras Waterfalls, two side-by-side waterfalls that cascade into a beautiful sky blue mineral water pool, is perfect for a cooling swim. A tiny, shallow canyon of volcanic rock rings the waterfalls and pool, creating an intimate and private tropical oasis.
At Victoria Waterfall, the falls drop 115 feet (35 meters) into the Rio Negro (Black River), and are where the Rio Negro Tubing Adventure starts its downriver trip. The surrounding canyon has unique vegetation and topography, and you can swim in the crystal clear pool at the waterfall’s base.
Oropendola Waterfall, plunges an impressive 82 feet (25 meters) to a sparkling turquoise pool. The beautiful lush canyon of the Rio Blanco (White River) makes a picturesque tropical oasis perfect for a refreshing swim.
Rio Negro Hot Springs and waterfalls combine three beautiful hidden waterfalls and relaxing, volcanic hot springs, heated naturally by the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano – the largest and most active volcano in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
A buffet lunch is included. Children younger than 5 years old are not recommended for this tour.
12 – Private Full Day Bird Watching Tour – $154
Bird lovers, get ready to see new species – 7 Hours
Costa Rica is a colorful country, especially when it’s about birds: definitely a birdwatchers paradise. With over 900 species of birds, Costa Rica is one of the world’s top destinations for birding.
The Rincon de la Vieja Volcano is replete with birdwatching opportunities due to its diverse ecosystems. Over 300 different species have been identified in the area, including the Spectacled Owl, the Curassow and the Montezuma Oropendola. In the ecosystem fly colorful, sonorous, intrepid birds and owners of an exceptional environment. This is a show that you can experience on our guided bird watching tour.
The dry forest is full of wildlife and unique species. The perfect place to enjoy wildlife and bird watching is in the hotel’s lush gardens of native trees and exotic flowers around the rooms. Come to explore this bird paradise yourself, you’ll never regret it.
A box lunch is included.
Private transportation available: $190 (price for Tamarindo Area)