Discover Costa Rica's Rincón de La Vieja National Park - 5 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Liberia, Drive to Rincón de la Vieja National Park

Welcome to Costa Rica! Upon arrival in Liberia, you'll collect your rental car and get ready to hit the road. It's just a 40-minute drive away, but you'll be amazed by how quickly the scenery changes from city to dense jungle. Rincón de la Vieja National Park is your ultimate destination and where you'll be spending the next five days. With the towering volcano of the same name at its core, this mountain range is one of four that separate Caribbean Costa Rica from the Pacific.

Located within the Guanacaste region, this is one of the most diverse areas of Costa Rica, with desert landscapes, pristine beaches, and verdant tropical forests coexisting within miles of each other. You may notice the nearby smoldering peak of the Rincón de la Vieja volcano spluttering to life as you approach. The national park is a haven for outdoor lovers, hikers, or those who simply want to get back to nature. Use your time here hiking the web of trails, swimming in the stunning Río Celeste, or tapping into the region's vibrant cowboy culture.

Day 2: Horseback Riding with Cowboys, Self-Guided Hike in the National Park

Costa Rica has a long history of cattle herding, with its local cowboys known locally as sabaneros. While most sabaneros herd cattle on the Guanacaste savanna, you'll learn the ropes today on a two-hour horseback ride into the jungle. Volcanoes, a thin trail of smoke curling from within the craters, will start to appear as you ride along. After a few hours in the Central American sun, take a dip in the stunningly blue Río Blanco to cool off.

If you still have energy left after your morning's adventures, head out on a self-guided hike through Rincón de la Vieja National Park. The Las Pailas loop trail is just 2.5 miles long (3.5 km) but offers spectacular views of the largest, most active volcano in Guanacaste, Rincón de la Vieja itself. Las Pailas translates to "The Cauldrons," and you'll certainly feel like you're getting closer to the volcano as you begin to see increasing geothermal activity, like fumaroles and bubbling mud pits. Keep your eye out for wildlife like armadillos, peccaries, and coatis along the way.

Day 3: Explore Palo Verde National Park by Boat & Visit a Sugar Plantation

Start today exploring a different side of the jungle—by boat. You'll glide through the vast wetlands of Palo Verde National Park on a three-hour journey, uncovering its unique flora and fauna, like the jabiru (a large stork). A visit to a nearby sugar cane plantation with its own wildlife reserve will punctuate the day. Over 5,000 acres (2,023 ha) make up this private sanctuary, situated along the Río Tempisque. Part of the reserve is an endangered ecosystem known as a tropical dry forest and an integral part of the annual bird migration, one of the largest in Central America. 

Continue spotting elusive crocodiles, fruit bats, and friendly monkeys swinging from the trees before calling it a day. Later this afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to visit the Río Negro Hot Springs at your leisure. Ten different pools of varying temperatures make up the hot springs complex, surrounded by verdant jungle.  

Day 4: Full-Day Exploring Waterfalls & Río Negro Hot Springs

Day four is dedicated to chasing waterfalls on a seven-hour expedition with your local guide. Begin this memorable excursion at the Chorreras Waterfalls, two cascades that merge into one sky-blue mineral pool and a great spot for a refreshing dip. Next up is a visit to the Victoria Waterfall, plunging into the Río Negro from 115 feet (35 m), before heading to the Oropendola Waterfall, a part of the Río Blanco Canyon.

The grand finale to your day is another visit to the Río Negro Hot Springs. You'll continue seeking out ribbons of blue, uncovering three hidden waterfalls and hot springs that are all naturally heated by the Rincón de la Vieja volcano. Coat your tired body in the nutrient-rich volcanic mud, washing it away in the cool waters of the Río Negro before returning back to the hot springs. This rejuvenating mix of fire and ice will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed after a long day of hiking through the jungle.

Day 5: Drive to Liberia, Depart