Tour Rincon de la Vieja through Blue River Resort
| Quick Facts: Rincon de la Vieja | |
|---|---|
| Area: | 14,083 hectares (approximately 3,500 acres). |
| Elevation: | Ranges from 650 meters to 1,965 meters ( approximately 2132 feet to 6,447 feet) Von Seabach crater 1,895 meters / 6,217 feet Above Sea Level Santa Maria crater 1,916 meters/6,286 feet above sea level Park base 980 meters (3215 feet) |
| Precipitation: | 2540 mm to 5080 mm (100 to 200 inches) annually, depending upon the location |
| Location: | Guanacaste Province 10.830 North, 85.324 West |
| Park Created: | 16 November 1973 |
| Eruptions: | First – Approximately 3,500 years ago First Recorded in 1765 Most recent in1983 (but spewed lava & acid in 1991 and 1998) from Von Seebach |
| Climate: | Pacific side entrance: Upland dry tropical forest Caribbean side entrance: Cloud forest and tropical rainforest (average 5 F cooler) Inside Park: Tropical rainforest & cloud forest becoming cooler along the ascent |
| Admission: | Pacific side only: $10 for foreigners, $2 for nationals, pay at ranger stations |
| Hours: | Pacific side only: 7am to 5pm daily, no entry after 3pm – from ranger stations |
The Rincon de la Vieja National Park is renowned for its stunning rainforest diversity, yet it is a relatively undiscovered gem. Rincon de la Vieja’s rainforest and volcanoes boast many colors, interesting textures and enticing fragrances. Discover a magical mysterious place that is among Costa Rica’s most diverse national parks for ecology. It is a convenient travel destination for tourists staying at the beach resorts near Liberia, Guanacaste, like Papagayo, Hermaso, El Coco, Ocotal, Flamingo and Tamaringo. Those staying around Upala, Alejuela, La Cruz and Nicaragua are particularly close. In fact, Rincon de la Vieja is Guanacaste’s most popular travel destination for day-visits. But staying such a short time does not do it justice. Even when compared to the more popular Arenal volcano, the Rincon de la Vieja volcano is no less mesmerizing and there are even more natural wonders to experience and more eco-adventure tours available nearby.
Travelling along the Caribbean (north) side of Rincon de la Vieja, the region is a cool lush rainforest and uniquely features blue volcanic rivers , natural mineral “green” hot springs and more flora a fauna. Travel along the Pacific (west) side of Rincon de la Vieja where the geography is dry tropical forest and just inside the park, experience the famous natural mud pots. From either side, when ascending the volcano peaks there are many climatic changes that make for an astounding variety of habitats, flora and fauna. The park boasts fantastic scenery, beautiful waterfalls and lagoons, blue volcanic rivers, natural mineral hot springs, boiling mud pits, fumaroles and dry lava flows. At the top are the volcanoes, with nine separate contiguous craters which are the source of no less than thirty-two rivers and streams that bridge the Continental Divide.
Visiting inside Rincon de la Vieja National Park can involve a hike up the volcano which takes 2 to 4 hours to travel, each way. The landscape changes and physical wonders are mesmerizing. At the top of the volcano are panoramic views of Nicoya peninsula to the east and Lake Nicaragua to the north. Hiking the volcano from the Pacific side is shorter and some people choose only to visit the famous boiling hot mud pots (springs). Along the Caribbean (north) side, the climate begins in a more moderate rainforest that offers blue volcanic rivers, volcanic flows and natural hot springs, but the hike is more strenuous. (i.e. the natural mineral “green” at Blue River Resort & Hot Springs).
Along the base of the park and in the vicinity there are many lodges, resorts and hotels, plus there are many eco-tours and adventures set up here. For many, this eco adventure vacation represents what Costa Rica is all about. Tours around Rincon de la Vieja national park include mountain biking, canopying, tubing, rappelling canyons, waterfalls, horseback riding, hot springs, mud pools and bird watching, butterfly and botanical gardens. By way of example, at the Blue River Resort & Hot Springs property, there is onsite botanical gardens, butterfly gardens, natural hot springs pools and spa, plus many nearby volcano, blue river, waterfall & horseback riding tours. One popular community past-time is bull riding. From the large cities to the smallest of villages, each has bull riding stadium. If you have the chance, look for festivals and enquire about the bull riding. Its worth travelling to Rincon de la Vieja.
For those visiting the many Guanacaste and Nicaragua beach resorts or living in Liberia and Upala, Rincon de la Vieja is a must-visit.
WARNING: This website created the section heading, “Rincon de la Vieja” for use by visitors of the Blue River Resort & Hot Springs which is located close to one of Costa Rica’s national parks, called Rincon de la Vieja. Blue River Resort & Hot Springs is located in the rainforest at the base of the volcano, Rincon de la Vieja, a stunning national park of Costa Rica with volcanoes. People often vacation at convenient beach resorts nearby, in Liberia, Guanacaste, Papagayo, Hermaso, El Coco, Ocotal, Flamingo, Tamaringo and nearby Upala, Alejuela, La Cruz and Nicaragua.. The information offered herein has been gathered from a variety of articles found online about Rincon de la Vieja for tourists and from a local guide. The factual of the information cannot be guaranteed.