After a week at the beach, head inland. The volcanoes of the Guanacaste mountains are close enough for a weekend, with trails, waterfalls, bubbling mud and hot springs. Here is how to plan it.
All driving times are approximate, measured from Playas del Coco. Mountain roads can be slow, partly unpaved and affected by rain, so check conditions before you leave and give yourself extra time.
Rincón de la Vieja National Park
Driving time: about an hour to an hour and a half.
Rincón de la Vieja is an active volcano northeast of Liberia. In the Las Pailas sector, a loop trail of about three and a half kilometers passes boiling mud pots, steam vents and fumaroles. Longer trails lead to waterfalls.
Check the park hours before you go. The Las Pailas sector is typically closed on Mondays, and the waterfall trails have an earlier entry cutoff than the mud pot loop. Tickets for national parks are sold through SINAC, the national conservation system.
Around the park, private properties offer hot springs and mud baths, a nice way to end a day of hiking.
Llanos de Cortés
Driving time: about an hour.
This wide waterfall sits near Bagaces, south of Liberia. A short walk takes you down to the falls and the pool below. It is an easy stop to add to a day inland.
Miravalles Volcano
Driving time: about an hour and a half to two hours.
Miravalles, north of Bagaces, is the tallest volcano in the Guanacaste range. It is dormant, but the ground here holds a lot of geothermal heat. That heat feeds hot springs, mud baths and hot pools around the base of the volcano. It is a quieter area than the better known parks.
Río Celeste and Tenorio Volcano National Park
Driving time: about two to two and a half hours.
Río Celeste is famous for its bright sky blue water. The main trail in Tenorio Volcano National Park leads to a waterfall that drops into a turquoise pool, with a long stairway down to the viewpoint. Plan on a few hours for the hike.
Swimming is not allowed inside the park. The trails can be muddy, and after heavy rain the river can lose some of its color, so wear good shoes and check conditions first. The park limits daily visitors, so arrive early.
Leave early, drive in daylight, and let the mountains set the pace.
A simple weekend plan
- Saturday morning: drive to Rincón de la Vieja and walk the Las Pailas loop.
- Saturday afternoon: soak in hot springs near the park and stay the night in the area.
- Sunday: stop at Llanos de Cortés for a swim, or head to Miravalles for more hot springs, then drive back to the coast before dark.
If you have more time, make Río Celeste a trip of its own. It is the longest drive on this list.
For shorter outings, see day trips from Coco. And if a weekend here has you thinking about staying longer, get in touch.
Nolberto, DN Realty Partners
Nolberto is a professional tour guide. His partner at DN Realty Partners, Dawn, helps buyers and sellers across Playas del Coco.
