Hiking in Rincón de la Vieja

Hike to Las Pailas Trails (Rincon de la Vieja Volcano) and La Oropendola Waterfall, Rincon de la Vieja

Explore fumaroles, geysers, bubbling mud pots in the most active volcano in Costa Rica and swim at the base of a waterfall

Overview

Start your day with a hike through Rincón de la Vieja National Park's Las Pailas sector, known for its exceptional views of the smoldering Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, bubbling mud pots, fumaroles, and geysers. Keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife, including over 300 species of birds, armadillos, coatis, and three species of monkeys. After the hike, cool off with a swim in the turquoise pool at La Oropendola Waterfall.

Highlights

  • Witness the power of the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and its unique volcanic activity
  • Spot diverse wildlife, including over 300 species of birds and three species of monkeys
  • Swim in the refreshing turquoise pool at La Oropendola Waterfall

Know before you go

Duration
3.5 hours
Recommended for
All ages
Group
Small group

What you'll do

Start your day with an early morning pickup from Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, a delightful accommodation on the edge of Rincón de la Vieja National Park. You'll be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who will take you on a 3.5-kilometer hike through the Las Pailas sector of the park. Along the way, you'll enjoy the breathtaking views of the smoldering Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and observe its unique volcanic activity, such as bubbling mud pots, fumaroles, and geysers that can't be found at any other volcano in Costa Rica.

As you hike, keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife that inhabits the park. You may spot over 300 species of birds, armadillos, coatis, and three species of monkeys – the white-faced, howler, and spider monkeys.

After your hike, you'll head to La Oropendola Waterfall for a refreshing dip in the turquoise pool. From the park entrance, you'll take a short walk along a path leading to the river and then walk along the riverbanks for a little distance until you reach the waterfall. At 82 feet (25 meters) high, the waterfall is an impressive sight to behold as it cascades into the turquoise pool in the Río Blanco river canyon. It's a great spot for swimming and relaxing.

After a while at the waterfall, your tour ends with the return walk to Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin.

Transportation not included

Start times

  • Daily
    8:30 am, 11:00 am
  • Monday
    Not available

What's included

  • Bilingual guide

Traveler reviews

3 total ratings, 2 with reviews
5.0 out of 5
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
5.0
Guides, Drivers and Staff
5.0
Transport
5.0
S
Shantanu B.
De Pere, WI | Reviewed on Dec 09, 2022
Excellent experience seeing the volcano and rainforest Read more

Excellent experience seeing the volcano and rainforest

Tips for future travelers

Definitely take a dip in waterfall / worth it !!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Stephen
Stephen B.
Johnston, RI | Reviewed on Jul 01, 2022
We had a private guided hike in the national park and to the Oropendula waterfall. Our guide was amazing, and he could easily spot animals and plants we would have never noticed if we just hiked it ourselves. Read more

We had a private guided hike in the national park and to the Oropendula waterfall. Our guide was amazing, and he could easily spot animals and plants we would have never noticed if we just hiked it ourselves.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport

Itineraries with Hike to Las Pailas Trails (Rincon de la Vieja Volcano) and La Oropendola Waterfall

Volcanoes, Cloud Forests, and the Pacific Coast - 10 Days

This 10-day itinerary combines mountain adventures with a bit of a beach holiday. Spend two days in Rincón de la Vieja exploring the area around one of the country's most active volcanoes. Then travel deeper inland to cross suspension bridges in the jungle, zip-line over trees, and enjoy guided hikes in La Fortuna and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. You'll end your trip by returning to Guanacaste for relaxation on the beaches of Papagayo.

Costa Rica's Volcanoes, Cloud Forests & Golden Coast - 14 Days

Explore some of Costa Rica's most classic settings on this adventure trip, from active volcanoes to the rainforest to its gorgeous Pacific beaches. You'll see volcanic fumaroles in Rincon de la Vieja, visit hot springs and cross hanging bridges in Arenal, encounter tons of tropical wildlife in Monteverde, and unwind on the beaches of the Gulf of Papagayo. Get ready to go hiking, whitewater rafting, zip-lining, and more on this thrilling tour of Costa Rica's northwest.