128Canopy Blog

Within the Guanacaste Conservation Area lie several protected areas and parks. The Rincon de la Vieja National Park sits on the northern border of the province of Guanacaste with Alajuela thus giving the park an immense biological diverse attraction.

The park is home to the active Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and the dormant Santa Maria. The Rincon de la Vieja Volcano is the largest of the 5 volcanoes which make up the Guanacaste Mountain Range and therefore the most popular.

The parks location allows for it to extend towards the Pacific coast and the Atlantic coast at the height of the volcano. The Rincon de la Vieja Volcano’s pacific slopes are dry and with very little vegetation while the Atlantic slopes are lush with lively vegetation.

Explorers to the park will also be delighted in the abundant beautiful scenery. A number of refreshing and beautiful waterfalls, relaxing hot springs, boiling mud pits and freshwater lagoons are throughout the park. Visitors will also find several picnic areas for a fun day of adventure with the entire family or friends.

As for wildlife, the park’s 14,000 hectares is packed with an impressive diversity of wildlife. Species such as the spider monkey, the blue crowned motmot, the emerald toucanet, jaguars, cougars and tapirs abound in this protected area.

As for the flora of the region, the area abounds in Costa Rica’s national flower: the Guaria Morada Orchid. Other species of vegetation are the laurel and the Guanacaste Tree.

The Rincon de la Vieja Volcano although active, is currently going through a “calm” phase. The last serious explosion was in 1983 followed by small phreatic eruptions since then. This type of eruption is caused when water and heated volcanic rocks interact and produce a violent explosion of steam and pulverized rock. However, no magma is involved.

The park offers several easy hiking paths at the base of the volcano near the entrance to the park. If you plan to climb to the summit, make sure you carry enough drinking water, take extra care with mud pits and lagoons and carry a light jacket as the temperature can go down towards the top.

Costa Rica’s terrain can sometimes seem quite difficult for some tourists not used to outdoor adventure activities. However, this should not be a reason for not going out and exploring all the natural wonders and spectacular views Costa Rica has to offer.

Many lodging and hotels in Costa Rica offer horseback riding tours for those who wish to explore their surroundings in a more relaxed way. Horseback riding has always been one of the least expensive and most fun ways of exploring the country’s natural treasures.

Horses in Costa Rica are visibly smaller than the normal North American horse; however they are strong and agile enough to carry you through the intricate jungle trails, volcano paths and secluded beaches.

Almost every single hotel in Costa Rica will be able to set you up with an unforgettable horseback riding tour. Central Valley hotels and lodging will be a great place for riding along volcano paths, cloud forests, rivers and rain forest. Hotels in the country’s Pacific and Atlantic Coast will be able to arrange horseback riding tours to hidden secluded beaches, sunset viewing from a cliff overlooking the ocean to the more unique Cantina Tour in the Guanacaste area.