What does Rincón de la Vieja mean?
It translates to Old Lady’s Corner or Nook. It refers to a local legend of a young indigenous princess whose lover (son of chief of a different tribe) was thrown out into the crater by her angry father. The suffering caused the young lady to become a hermit who then, learned from medicinal plants and volcanic mud to cure and heal people, living out her days in a remote place (corner or nook) on the slopes of Rincon de la Vieja volcano.
SCHEDULES & PARK FEES
Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed on Monday.
- Foreign Entrance Fees: Adults $ 15
- Children (6-12 years) $ 5
RINCON DE LA VIEJA AT A GLANCE
Region: Northwest Guanacaste
Closest town: Liberia
Area: 14,083 hectares (34,800 acres)
Year established: 1973
Elevation : 396 – 1,916 meters (1,299 – 6,286 feet)
Private managed: no
Government managed: yes
Rangers station: yes – Las Pailas and Santa Maria
Public restrooms: yes
Entrance fee: $15pp
Days: Tuesday – Sunday (closed on Mondays)
Hours: 08:00 – 15:00
Hiking trails: yes
Boat tours: no
Average temperature: 20- 30C (70 – 90F)
Average yearly precipitation: 2,000 millimeters (79 inches)
General Information
Rincon de la Vieja National Park is located in the Northwest Pacific region of Costa Rica, in Guanacaste. The 14,083 hectares (34,800 acres) Rincon de la Vieja National Park was established on Nov.16, 1973 to protect the region’s important watershed (with more than 32 rivers and streams), the country’s largest population of its national flower (the purple orchid), and more than 300 different species of birds and abundant wildlife.
This National Park protects very important river basins, since the Rincon de la Vieja massif forms part of the watershed, between the Caribbean and the Pacific, in the northwest area of the country. It also has the largest existing population of the Purple Orchid (national flower of Costa Rica). Rincon de la Vieja Park is also home to a great variety of ecosystems and impressive landscapes with plenty of wildlife. Among mammals, there are three species of monkeys, including white-faced, spider and howler monkeys. There are several species of wild cats including pumas, jaguars, and ocelots. In addition, there are armadillos, coyotes, tapirs, white tail deers and kinkajous. There are many species of reptiles including iguanas, whip tailed lizards, rattlesnakes, boa constrictors, fer-de-lance and much more. Over 300 species of birds have been identified in the park including curassows, laughing falcons, crested guans, spectacled owls, blue-crowned mot-mots, oropendolas, white fronted parrots and many other species.
It also protects the volcanic activity and its geological attractions. Due to the volcanic hot springs, the accessible hiking trails, and the wide variety of wildlife, the park has become one of the top tourist destinations in the northwestern Costa Rica. For those who choose to avoid hiking the volcano, there are several excellent trails that include a well-rounded tour of the park as well as the best bird watching in the area.
The park entrance fee is US$15 per person (per day) and It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8am – 3pm (closed on Mondays) with the last admission at 12 p.m. Due to the active geysers and hot springs around the volcano, guided hikes are highly recommended since they always have the safety of their guests in mind. (you can hire professional guides at the main entrance). For the more adventurous, self-guided hikes are also available and trail maps are provided by both the ranger stations at both entrances. Since safety is of the most concern, visitors are required to hike only one trail at a time in the park before reporting back to the ranger station. If they fail to do so, the park rangers are required to begin a search.
The Rincon de la Vieja national park is accessible through two ranger stations: Las Pailas on the western side of the park and Santa Maria, 5km past the small town of San Jorge. Each one offers restrooms and potable water. The entrance fee at either station is $15 per person. Most visitors to Rincon de la Vieja stay at lodges or bed & breakfast in Liberia city.
Las Pailas Sector
The Las Pailas sector of the park is located on the Pacific slope. It shows plenty of evidence of volcanic activity with natural hot springs, boiling mud pits, and fumaroles. This area is very hot and dry most of the year. Las Pailas is the most popular entrance point because of better road conditions and closer to geothermal sites and volcanic features like steaming fumaroles, mud pots, and boiling mud fields that have compared to Yellowstone National Park in the U.S. At a casual pace, it takes approximately two hours from start to finish.
Santa Maria Sector
The Santa Maria Sector is located on the Caribbean slope of the park with lush vegetation due to much more precipitation. It is closer to the sulfurous hot springs and a small waterfall. that also includes an observation tower. This area has a trail that links with the longer Las Pailas trail to main Ranger Station. This 6km (4mi) trail travels through a cloud forest along the lower slopes and offers views of the park’s lowlands, a cloud forest and a variety of wildlife. You can also reach Santa Maria ranger station by a road in NOT good conditions 5km past the small town of San Jorge.