National park · Costa Rica
Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National ParkParque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja
Enter the park for a half‑day hike to Las Pailas (≈2 km (1.2 mi), easy) for about 5 000 CRC (≈US$5) entry (check), or a full‑day trek to La Cangreja crater (≈7 km (4.3 mi), moderate) in the dry season; avoid Mondays (check).Enter the park for a half‑day hike to Las Pailas (≈1.2 mi (2 km), easy) for about 5 000 CRC (≈US$5) entry (check), or a full‑day trek to La Cangreja crater (≈4.3 mi (7 km), moderate) in the dry season; avoid Mondays (check).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
142 km² (55 sq mi)55 sq mi (142 km²)
approximate
Established
1982
Best months
Dec–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
- Guanacaste ↗Dec–Apr is the dry season; many beach towns are at peak prices and full over Christmas and Easter week.
- Guanacaste ↗A car helps on the coast; unpaved access roads and one-lane bridges are common, and Waze is the standard app.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Area
- 142 km² (55 sq mi)55 sq mi (142 km²)
- Area reported as 14,161 ha (≈141.6 km²) in official sources; some maps show slight variations (check).
- Established
- 1982
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park protects a dry‑forest landscape around an active volcano in Guanacaste, featuring fumaroles, mud pots, hot springs and a network of short and long trails that lead to waterfalls and the La Cangreja crater.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national sitePart of the Guanacaste Conservation Area
Size and age
142 km² (55 sq mi)55 sq mi (142 km²) · national park since 1982
Area reported as 14,161 ha (≈141.6 km²) in official sources; some maps show slight variations (check).
Why go
- Active volcano with fumaroles, mud pots and hot springs.
- Network of short and long trails through dry forest and waterfalls.
- Rich birdlife (≈300 species) and typical Central American mammals.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool mornings.
- FebDry, ideal for hiking.
- MarDry, low rain risk.
- AprEnd of dry season, warm.
- MayStart of rains, trails may be slick.
- JunRainy, some roads muddy.
- JulRainy, occasional storms.
- AugRainy, higher mud risk.
- SepRain tapering, still green.
- OctLess rain, good visibility.
- NovTransition to dry.
- DecDry, cooler evenings.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (e.g., keel‑billed toucan, collared aracari)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Mammals (white‑headed capuchin, mantled howler, coati)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Liberia
Drive north on the Inter‑American Highway 5 km (3.1 mi), turn east toward Curubande and continue 17 km (11 mi) to the park entrance.Drive north on the Inter‑American Highway 3.1 mi (5 km), turn east toward Curubande and continue 11 mi (17 km) to the park entrance.
≈30 min (check)
Open the page →
From San José
Shuttle or rental car 4 h via Route 1 north to Liberia, then follow directions above.
≈4 h (check)
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Pailas sector | Fumaroles, mud pots, short trails (Las Pailas, Los Azufrales). | Open with entry ticket. |
| Santa María sector | Longer trails to La Cangreja crater and waterfalls. | Guided or self‑guided with ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates based on park centre (volcano summit) and main visitor points; approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | CRC 5,000 | person | 2026 estimate; official price not published (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Closed on Mondays
- No entry allowed; plan visits Tue‑Sun (check).
- Pets
- Dogs not allowed on trails (check).
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds outside the park; not permitted in forest zones (check).
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use only park‑provided grills (check).
- Guides
- Required for La Cangreja crater trek during rainy season (May‑Oct) (check).
Where to stay
Near the park
Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin
Rooms and restaurant at the park entrance; offers guided hikes.
Near the park
Blue River Resort & Hot Springs
Resort with mineral pools, cabins and adventure tours.
Near the park
Buena Vista del Rincón
Mid‑range lodge with spa and access to park trails.
Safety
Volcanic gases medium
Heat and dehydration medium
Lost on long trails high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main entrance and Las Pailas loop are wheelchair‑compatible with paved boardwalks (check).
- La Cangreja crater involves steep sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned lodges and support community tours.
- Do not purchase unofficial “langur” or “private volcano” experiences.
- Carry out all waste; use refillable water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park?
Adult entry is about 5 000 CRC (≈US$5) per person; children pay half price. Fees are paid at the Guachipelín gate.
What are the best hikes in the park?
For a short visit try the Las Pailas loop (≈2 km, easy). For a full day, hike to La Cangreja crater (≈7 km, moderate) and add the Oropéndola waterfall side‑trip.
When is the best time to visit?
The dry season (December – April) offers clear trails and good visibility; the rainy season (May – November) can make mud pots slick and some roads muddy.
Is the park open on Mondays?
No. The park is closed every Monday; plan visits Tuesday through Sunday.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on park trails; they must be left at your accommodation.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?