Rincón de la Vieja National Park: Trails, Fees & Tips
Rincón de la Vieja National Park is Guanacaste’s volcanic playground, about 25 km northeast of Liberia. The highlights are the 3.5 km Las Pailas loop past bubbling mud pots and fumaroles, the turquoise La Cangreja waterfall, and hot springs and river tubing on the haciendas around the park. Tickets cost US$16.95 for foreign adults and must be bought online in advance.
Rincón de la Vieja at a Glance
Best time to visit: December to April for dry trails; May to November for greener forest and livelier mud pots
How long to allow: One full day, or two nights nearby to add hot springs and adventure tours
Entrance fee: US$16.95 for foreign adults, US$5.65 for children aged 2 to 12, online only (checked October 2026)
Nearest airport: Liberia (LIR), about 45 minutes by car to the Las Pailas entrance
Don’t miss: The Las Pailas loop, for mud pots and steam vents you can walk right past
Don’t plan on: Hiking to the crater, which has been closed since 2011
Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park (Parque Nacional Volcán Rincón de la Vieja) lies in the provinces of Guanacaste and Alajuela. It covers about 14,100 hectares, roughly 35,000 acres, and is part of the Área de Conservación Guanacaste, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The park has two visitor sectors, Las Pailas and Santa María. The main Las Pailas entrance is about 25 kilometers northeast of Liberia.
The volcanic massif has nine cones, including the active Rincón de la Vieja crater and the Santa María summit, at 1,916 meters the park’s highest point. Its slopes are the source of 32 rivers and streams that supply water to much of the region.
The name translates to “old woman’s corner.” It refers to a legend of a young woman whose father threw her lover into the volcano. She is said to have lived out her life on its slopes as a recluse with healing powers.
Rincón de la Vieja is one of Costa Rica’s most active volcanoes. Its last large eruption was about 3,500 years ago, but smaller steam-driven eruptions happen regularly, and the strongest of 2025 came in September.
Because of this activity, the crater trail has been closed since September 2011, and a restricted zone surrounds the summit. The lower trails stay open and are where you’ll see the geothermal action up close.
What to Do in Rincón de la Vieja National Park
1. Walk the Las Pailas loop
“Pailas” means cauldrons, and this easy 3.5 km loop through tropical dry forest shows you why. Along the trail you pass boiling mud pots, sulfur fumaroles, a small steaming “volcancito,” and seasonal waterfalls.
Allow about 90 minutes. If you only do one thing in the park, make it this.
2. Hike to La Cangreja and Escondida waterfalls
From Las Pailas, a longer trail leads to La Cangreja waterfall, which drops into a vivid turquoise pool. The round trip is roughly 10 km and takes about three hours.
The Escondida (hidden) waterfall sits on a branch of the same route. You must enter the park before noon to start either hike, so plan an early start.
3. Explore the quieter Santa María sector
Las Pailas, on the dry southwestern side of the park, gets the vast majority of visitors. The Santa María sector, on the wetter eastern side, is greener, cooler, and far quieter.
Its trails lead to waterfalls, cold-water springs, and natural hot springs, and the old Casona de Santa María hacienda house still stands near the ranger station. The access road is rough, so use a high-clearance 4×4.
4. Look for wildlife
Whether you go on foot or on horseback, you’ll pass through some of Costa Rica’s last remaining tropical dry forest. More than 300 bird species live here, along with howler, spider, and white-faced capuchin monkeys, coatis, and armadillos.
Tapirs, pumas, and jaguars also live in the park, but sightings are rare. Look out for the giant Guanacaste trees, the national tree of Costa Rica.
5. Soak in volcanic hot springs
The volcano heats springs and mud on the land around the park. Most visitors soak at the haciendas and resorts just outside it, which have built pools fed by mineral-rich water and volcanic mud baths.
It’s the best way to end a day of hiking. Alternate with a dip in a cold river or waterfall pool, and drink plenty of water between soaks.
6. Swim at Oropéndola waterfall on the Río Blanco
Just outside the park, the 25-meter Oropéndola waterfall pours into a turquoise pool on the Río Blanco. It’s on Hacienda Guachipelín’s land and has its own entrance fee, separate from your park ticket.
You can reach it by car and a short hike, or on horseback from the hacienda. It’s a perfect place to relax after hiking in the national park.
7. Go tubing and horseback riding
If you still want more adventure, the haciendas around the park run river tubing on the Río Negro, horseback rides, canyoning, and zip lines. The tubing mixes gentle stretches with livelier rapids, so you get time to take in the canyon around you.
Book these directly with your lodge or an adventure center, since they’re private tours rather than park activities.
Useful Information
How to get to Rincón de la Vieja National Park
No public buses go to the national park, so a rental car, a private transfer, or a tour is the way in. For Las Pailas, drive about 5 km north of Liberia on the Inter-American Highway, then turn right toward Curubandé and follow the signs.
The final stretch passes through Hacienda Guachipelín’s property, and a 4×4 isn’t needed. For Santa María, take the road from Barrio La Victoria in Liberia, and use a high-clearance 4×4.
When I visited on a backpacking trip in 2014, I stayed in Curubandé and caught a 6 AM lift with locals working near the park. Today, a rental car or transfer from Liberia is far simpler.
Opening hours and tickets
The Las Pailas sector is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8 AM to 3 PM and closed on Mondays. The Santa María sector is open Thursday to Monday from 8 AM to 3:30 PM.
Entrance costs US$16.95 for foreign adults and US$5.65 for foreign children aged 2 to 12. Tickets are sold online only through SINAC’s booking system, not at the gate (checked October 2026).
When to visit Rincón de la Vieja National Park
The dry season, from December to April, brings the easiest trail conditions and the most reliable weather. It’s also the busiest time, so book tickets early.
The green season, from May to November, makes the forest lush, and the fumaroles and mud pots tend to be more active. Expect afternoon rain, so hike in the morning.
Read also: Best time to visit Costa Rica.
Camping
Camping is not allowed in the Las Pailas sector. The Santa María sector has a camping area near the ranger station, but no restaurant, and campfires are banned because of the fire risk.
Bring good camping gear, insect repellent, and clothing for cool, damp nights.
Where to Stay near Rincón de la Vieja National Park
Hotel Hacienda Guachipelín is the closest base for the Las Pailas sector, a working cattle ranch with its own adventure center, hot springs, and the Oropéndola waterfall on its land. It suits active travelers who want to walk to the park.
Borinquen Thermal Resort, on the northern edge of the area, is the more relaxed option, built around thermal pools, mud baths, and a spa.
If you’d rather stay at a beachfront luxury resort, Rincón de la Vieja works well as a day trip from the Guanacaste coast via Liberia.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rincón de la Vieja
Is Rincón de la Vieja National Park worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you’re staying in Guanacaste. It’s one of the few places in Costa Rica where you can walk right past bubbling mud pots and steam vents on an easy trail, and it pairs well with waterfalls, hot springs, and adventure tours nearby. The park is about 45 minutes by car from Liberia airport.
How much does it cost to enter Rincón de la Vieja National Park?
Entrance costs US$16.95 for foreign adults and US$5.65 for foreign children aged 2 to 12, as of October 2026. Tickets are no longer sold at the gate. Buy them online in advance through SINAC, Costa Rica’s national parks booking system. Hot springs and waterfalls on private land outside the park charge their own fees.
Can you hike to the crater of Rincón de la Vieja?
No. The trail to the active crater has been closed since September 2011 because of volcanic activity, and a restricted zone surrounds the summit. Entering it is illegal and dangerous, as the volcano still erupts regularly. The lower trails, including the Las Pailas loop and the waterfall hikes, remain open.
What are the opening hours of Rincón de la Vieja National Park?
The Las Pailas sector opens Tuesday to Sunday from 8 AM to 3 PM and is closed on Mondays. The Santa María sector opens Thursday to Monday from 8 AM to 3:30 PM. To hike to La Cangreja or Escondida waterfalls from Las Pailas, you need to enter the park before noon.
Do you need a 4×4 to visit Rincón de la Vieja?
Not for the Las Pailas sector, which most visitors use. The road from Liberia through Curubandé is suitable for a regular car. The Santa María sector is different: its access road is rough gravel and stone, so a high-clearance 4×4 is strongly recommended, particularly in the rainy season.
Are there hot springs inside Rincón de la Vieja National Park?
There are natural hot springs on trails in the Santa María sector, but most visitors soak just outside the park. Haciendas and resorts around Rincón de la Vieja use volcanic heat to fill thermal pools and mud baths, which you can visit with a day pass or as a hotel guest.
What is the best time to visit Rincón de la Vieja?
December to April, the dry season, offers the easiest hiking and most reliable weather, though it’s also the busiest. May to November, the green season, brings lush forest and often more active mud pots and fumaroles, with rain usually arriving in the afternoon. Hike early in either season.
Where should I stay near Rincón de la Vieja?
Hotel Hacienda Guachipelín is the closest base to the main Las Pailas entrance and has its own adventure center and hot springs. Borinquen Thermal Resort is a more relaxed option built around thermal pools and a spa. Travelers staying at Guanacaste beach resorts can visit the park as a day trip via Liberia.
- About the Author
- More info
Mareike Wielens is a highly experienced and passionate Tourism in Costa Rica expert with over 10 years of experience in the travel industry.
She is the CEO of Emotional Travel, a Costa Rica travel agency specializing in well-being and mental health vacations, but also designs tailormade roundtrips in Costa Rica.
