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 lies in northern Costa Rica and is known for the Río Celeste, one of the country's most distinctive natural sights. The river's blue comes from minerals in the volcanic rock interacting with light, turning an almost unreal blue-green on clear days. A trail follows the river, passing a lookout, a blue waterfall and a cooler stretch of water over several kilometres through rainforest and secondary forest. Because the colour is weather-dependent, the effect fades noticeably in rain, so go on a clear day — and note the park's daily visitor limits and booking requirements.

Rincón de la Vieja National Park lies in Guanacaste province around a still-active volcano and is one of Costa Rica's most direct displays of geothermal activity. Trails lead to mud pools, fumaroles and a crater area with a noticeable sulphur smell, while waterfalls and streams appear along the way, giving the landscape strong contrasts. Because the geothermal ground is hot and unstable, the park clearly defines which sections are open, and some areas close temporarily due to volcanic activity or weather. About an hour-plus from Liberia, it suits a half or full day between the northern highlands and the Pacific coast, and pairs well with nearby hot springs.