DRIVING AND TOURING TO RINCON DE LA VIEJA NATIONAL PARK ~ Guanacaste Rent a Car

Rincon de la Vieja National Park, located in the Pacific Northwest of Costa Rica, is one of the great wilderness areas of Central America. It is an area that covers nearly 35,000 acres, full of volcanic activity, bubbling mud pits, hot springs, different types of forests, and geysers, as well as refreshing lagoons and spectacular waterfalls which produce a landscape of exceptional beauty. Some of the best examples of wildlife and plants are found here.

Rincón de la Vieja is the largest volcano in NW Costa Rica and one of its most active ones. It is, sometimes known as the "Colossus of Guanacaste," and has an estimated volume of 130 cu km containing at least 9 major eruptive centers.

Location

Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park, in Spanish Parque Nacional Volcán Rincón de la Vieja, part of the Guanacaste Conservation Area, World Heritage Site. It is a National Park in the northwestern part of Costa Rica which encompasses the Rincón de la Vieja and Santa María volcanoes, as well as the dormant Cerro Von Seebach. The last eruption here was by Rincón de la Vieja in 1998.

The Rincon de la Vieja massif, 1,916 meters high, is a composite structure. Nine eruptive spots have been identified on its peak, some of which still have fumorale activity. The park contain hot springs which give rise to very hot mountain streams (see photos); sulfuric ponds with small mud-filled depressions which bubble continuously; geysers releasing jets of stream, particularly during the rainy season; and mud cones in all shapes and sizes. Several waterfall exist throughout the park, as does a small freshwater lake which lies south of the main crater

Rincon de la Vieja National Park contains diverse habitats, produced by the differences in altitude and rainfall, the effect of volcanic eruptions and the type of slope. In the lower regions, trees include the Guanacaste, freijo, gumbo-limbo, bitter cedar and capulin. In the central region, between 1,200 and 1,400 meters, the most abundant trees are the cupey, manwood, calabash, jicaro danto and didymopanax. Beginning at 1,400 meters and continuing up to near the peak, the woods are low and the densely-branched trees covered with mosses and other epiphytes. The most common trees are the cupey, didymopanax and crespon. The peak of the volcano is covered with ash and has very sparse vegetation. Plants include the cupey and the poor man's umbrella.

Within the park, 357 species of birds have been sighted, including the three-wattled bellbird, great curassow, emerald toucanet, elegant trogon, blue-throated goldentail, spectacled owl, white-fronted amazon, various quetzals, eagles, and guaco. Some other mammals found here include the red brocket deer, collared peccary, agouti, and tayra. Northern tamandua, two-toed sloth, and howler, white-faced and spider monkeys are found here. Insects are very numerous and include four species of the abundant and beautiful morpho butterflies. (C Michael Hogan.2010)

Natural Attractions

Horseback riding, bubbling mud pits, geysers of sulfur dioxide and hydrogen are just the unique attractions at Rincon de la Vieja. However, any visit to Rincon de la Vieja withoutvisit to the Blue Lagoon is one wasted. Approximately 30 minutes from the park rangers ‘station, this small lagoon is blue as a result of special minerals in the lagoon's underlying stones. A large waterfall constantly replenishes the lagoon while a small hot spring to its left provides a warm welcome relief. The color of the lagoon is at its bluest during the dry season, as the volume of rainfall is at its lowest level.

The ranger station, at Las Pailas entrance into the park, provides maps of the park trails and washrooms. The easy and less strenuous hike is the Pailas Loop of 3 –km (2-miles) which takes about 2 hours to complete while trailing into the forest until you come to a point that features the park´s famous geothermal activity. Along the trails you will see fumaroles with steam hissing out of ground vents, and boiling mud fields named after pots (pailas).

Climbing to the crater is the most challenging experience you would have. The trails are well-marked paths that climb through deep shaded forest, then uphill into sun baked, treeless slope to the windswept crater with dramatic abysses where temperature goes down.

Rincon de la Vieja also offers terrific opportunities for those interested in mountain biking. While riding along the trails is prohibited, there are roads which wind throughout the park, all of which are challenging and easily accessible.

HOW TO GET THERE

Rincon de la Vieja, unlike most parks, is nearly impossible to access with public transportation. So renting a car is the best mode of transportation in the area to get to this natural wonderland. Located 6 km (3.6 miles) north of Liberia, along the Pan-American Highway 1North, there is a sign for the village of Curubandé on the right side of the road or look out for a Rincon de la Vieja sign posted along the road. Turn right onto a 23-km (14-miles) dirt road which is in good condition and passes through large deposits of white volcanic rock and you having to pay a small toll. Ample parking is available at the ranger station, as with the lodges which surround the park.

Source: Smithsonian Institution

Video Source: Canal de Globekarter

Links:
http://www.youtube.com/user/globekarter

http://www.costarica-nationalparks.com/rincondelaviejanationalpark.html

http://www.proparques.org/galeria.php?album