Rincón de la Vieja, Full of Extraordinary Attractions
Rincón de La Vieja National Park is a very popular attraction for tourists and a major volcanic destination. Today, tourism is an important source of income for the surrounding population. The national park has played a key role in the development of the community. The park has an extension of about 34, 800 acres and was created in 1973. Rent a car in Costa Rica
It has an altitude of about 1,900 meters above sea level, and together with Arenal, Irazú, Miravalles, Orosí, Poás and Turrialba, represents the active volcanic range of Costa Rica.
It is composed of nine separate but contiguous volcanic craters, with dormant Santa María (1,916 meters) the tallest. Its crater shelters a forest-rimmed lake with quetzals, linnets, and tapirs. The main crater, which is called Von Seebach, and known as the Rincón de la Vieja crater, still steams. The Icy Lake Los Jilgueros lies between the two craters. The last serious eruption was in 1983 but the volcano disgorged lava and acid gases in 1991. The consequences of the acids can still be seen on the slopes of the volcano. The acid cloud burned away much of the vegetation especially on the southeastern slope. Costa Rica car rental 4×4
This area has many adventures and activities for its visitors such as zip lining, canyoneering, rafting, rappelling, and many more. There are also more relaxing activities such as horseback rides, hot springs, and the famous volcanic mud massages.
Rincón de la Vieja is located in the Guanacaste province. It is only 25 km. outside of downtown Liberia which is about a 45 minute drive. It is a good idea to have a four-wheel-drive to go to this region, especially during the rainy season which is from May to November.
There are other important sites located close to Rincón de la Vieja. For example Santa Rosa National Park, is just a 45 minute drive away. Other important areas include Arenal, Tamarindo or Flamingo Beach, and the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
The camping area at Rincón de la Vieja is open 24 hours. There are restrooms, showers and picnic areas available for the campers.
Additionally, there are well marked park trail systems that take you through the tropical forest to the park’s attractions. The trail guides can be arranged at the Pailas or Santa Maria Station.
The diverse conditions in the region foster an array of wildlife species. More than 300 species of birds include quetzals, toucanets, the elegant trogon, eagles, three-wattled bellbirds, and the curassow. Mammals include cougars, howler, spider, and white-faced monkeys, kinkajous, sloths, tapirs, tayras, and even jaguars.
Between the cloud forest and Las Pailas, a side trail, marked Aguas Thermales, leads to soothing, hot sulfur springs called Los Azufrales (Sulfurs). The thermal waters, which could be about 42 ° C, form small pools where visitors can bathe and take advantage of their curative properties. You can use the cold-water stream nearby to cool off. Las Hornillas are sulfurous fumaroles on the devastated southern slope of the volcano. Another trail leads to the Hidden Waterfalls, which feature four continuous falls.
The park is administered from the Guanacaste Conservation Area office in Santa Rosa National.
Visit Rincón de la Vieja National Park and admire its beautiful surroundings!