Ricon de la Vieja Attractions
National Parks:
Rincon de la Vieja National Park
Created in 1973, Rincon de la Vieja National Park has evolved a small tourist infrastructure over the years but remains one of Costa Rica’s best-kept secrets. Natural trails, a seasonal waterfall, steaming fumaroles, a small volcanic crater, and bubbling mud pots highlight the park’s most popular Las Pailas trail, and Rincon de la Vieja Volcano beckons to hikers willing to make the 8-hour roundtrip trek to its crater.
Strangler figs amaze every park visitor. The giant trees begin life by latching onto an existing tree trunk, slowly growing stronger until they eventually surround their host and strangle its life away. They are easy to spot with their huge root systems that snake along the forest floor and immense, but hollow, trunks, the only remaining memory of their long-lost hosts. Rincon de la Vieja National Park also contains the largest population of Costa Rica’s national flower, the Cattleya skinneri, a type of purple orchid.
Rincon de la Vieja’s volcano is considered to be gently active. Though it has experienced no major eruptions in recent years, it habitually belches up steam and ash. Santa Maria Volcano, the tallest in the park, towers at 6,286 feet, while the national park’s lowlands hover at just 1,969 feet above sea level. This 4,000-foot altitude change allows for several different microclimates that range from hot and dry to cool and misty.
The Red Pond and Blanco River Pool
A hike or horseback ride from the Las Pailas park entrance, this dynamic duo offers beautiful and natural surrounding. The Red Pond is a red and white solid rock formation, created by lava runoff many years ago. Its neighboring Blanco River pool is a quiet, tranquil pool of clear water surrounded by only forest and birdsong. Round trip, including time spent relaxing and enjoying these two natural wonders, will last three or four hours.
Waterfalls:
Oropendula Waterfall
Just four miles from Rincon de la Vieja National Park’s Las Pailas entrance, this 82-foot tall waterfall tumbles into an incredible, emerald green pool. Visitors can hike through the dry forest or rent horses to get there.
Las Chorreras Waterfall
This beautiful double waterfall teams up with the Blanco River to create a beautiful blue pool at its base where many visitors enjoy taking a dip in the cool waters. These waterfalls are just a mile from one of the area’s premiere hotels, but anyone can hike or rent horses to get there.
La Cangreja Waterfall
A four and a half mile hike from Rincon de la Vieja’s Las Pailas entrance, these falls are found within the park’s borders. Dissolved copper salts give the waterfall a celestial blue color, a striking sight against the gray cliffs behind it. A small pool at its base is wonderful for cooling off after the hike.
La Victoria Waterfall
Accessed by a steep trail, the hike to this 115-foot waterfall is not for the faint of heart. For those that make the journey, a moss-covered canyon and beautiful greenery await.
Hidden Waterfalls
Almost two miles farther west of La Cangreja Waterfall, the Escondidas Waterfalls are actually a group of four continuously cascading falls set into the Agria Ravine. A calm bathing pool sits at the base of one waterfall.
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