257-257 Travel Guide

Rincón de la Vieja National Park sits in northwestern Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province, wrapped around an active andesitic composite volcano. It blends crater views, boiling mud pots, sulfur hot springs, waterfalls and tropical dry forest — a showcase of the country’s volcanic geology and biodiversity. Trails pass steam vents and mineral pools, with natural hot springs at the base, earning it the nickname “Costa Rica’s Yellowstone.”

Tenorio Volcano National Park is famous for the magical Río Celeste—its waters turn a vivid turquoise where a volcanic hot spring meets minerals. Rainforest trails lead to waterfalls and viewpoints, a hidden gem for hiking and ecotourism.

Rincón de la Vieja is an active volcano in northwestern Costa Rica, set within its namesake national park. It is known for its crater lake, sulfuric mud pots and steam vents, with trails that explore the volcanic landscape.