Orosi Volcano

Location: Guanacaste National Park, Guanacaste Volcanic Mountain Range 

Altitude: 1484 meters (4879 ft.)

The Orosi Volcano is the first mountain you see when you drive into Costa Rica from Nicaragua. 

You will enjoy the drive. It takes you through the miles of farm and cattle land, made rich by the flow of minerals from the volcanoes. Keep your eyes on the mountain sides for signs of old eruptions everywhere. In the western part of the forest, there are thousands of pre-Columbian petroglyphs. The northern wall of the volcano offers hikers a good view of Lake Nicaragua, miles to the north.

People who will believe anything believe that Orosi takes its name from a priest who led a party of Indians to the mountain top where they were assaulted by a violent earthquake. "Aha!" said the priest. "The earthquake is sign. There must be silver here." From the depths of the volcano came a powerful, echoing voice replying, "Plata, no; oro, si." ("Silver no, Gold Yes.")

".. Oro –? SI!" Oro-si. Get it? And thus did the mountain get its name if you believe the story. 

Visitors are not permitted to climb to the volcano top for fear they might stumble into the pit and turn to steam. You'll find a good panoramic view of the Orosi Volcano from the Santa Rosa National Park.