General Information:
Location: 266 km (165 mi.) northwest of San José via Liberia; 27 Km (17 mi.) northeast of Liberia in the Guanacaste Province
Weather: Warm and dry during the day; mild at night. One of the driest areas in the country; the wet season is mild and runs from mid-May through November.
Temperatures: Daily temperatures vary from 67-94 °F; average is 84° F. Humidity: 74%
Altitude: Elevations range from 1800 ft. to the peak of Santa Maria Volcano at 6286 ft.
Read more about the North Pacific Tourism Region
About:
Located in the heart of cowboy country in Guanacaste Province, Rincon de La Vieja is much more than a national park. It is a destination rooted in folklore and tradition where cattle ranching is still a way of life. A long-time symbol of Guanacaste, the sabanero is Costa Rica’s hard-working cowboy, a lasso-throwing, expert horseman who works the dry plains of the family farm. Cowboys herding cattle on beautiful criollo horses are a common sight in the sun-baked savannahs around Rincon de La Vieja and much of northern Guanacaste.
Home to Rincon de la Vieja National Park, the area is named after Volcan Rincon, one of Costa Rica’s five active volcanoes. The Santa María Volcano is the dormant twin of Rincon, rising to 1916 meters (6286 feet), making it the highest peak in the national park. In addition to the area’s bubbling mud pots and volcanic hot springs, visitors are attracted to nearby working cattle ranches turned eco-lodges, where guests can participate in daily farm chores and cattle round-ups, as well as take guided trips into the park.
The region is rich in biodiversity and affords excellent wildlife watching. Travelers to the park often encounter toucans, coatimundis, armadillos, deer, boa constrictors and the occasional tapir. Hikers can visit natural hot springs and secluded waterfalls via a series of trails that traverse dry forest and open grasslands. The more adventurous can try the strenuous 16-kilometer trek to the summit of Rincon Volcano, a windy and cold crater at 6250 feet which is best climbed with a seasoned guide.
Horseback adventures, soothing hot springs and a glimpse into the country’s traditional cowboy culture are all on offer in Rincon de La Vieja, a gem in the Guanacaste Province.
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