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One of the protected parks within the Guanacaste Conservation Area (ACG), the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, is one of Costa Rica’s most diverse ecological parks. Known for its stunning diversity of flora and fauna, this national park is home to two volcanoes, the Rincon de la Vieja and the Santa Maria, as well as six different volcanic peaks, and thirty two rivers and streams.
Boasting fantastic sceneries, beautiful waterfalls, soothing hot springs, boiling mud pits, a fresh water volcanic lagoon, picnic areas and long-winding trails that one can hike or horse back ride, the Parque Nacional Rincon de la Vieja lies roughly 25 km northeast of Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste province.
This national park extends on both the Caribbean and the Pacific sides of the Cordillera de Guanacaste, and is divided into two sectors, Las Pailas and Santa Maria. The Pacific slopes of the volcano have distinct dry seasons, while the Caribbean side is wet and lush green. Spread over 14,083 hectares, this park is also the habitat of an impressive array of wildlife, insects and birds like the Spider Monkey, the Blue-crowned Motmot, the Emerald Toucanet, jaguars, cougars and tapirs. Also found in abundance here amidst the verdant vegetation are, Guaria Morada orchids, the national flowers of Costa Rica as well as a plethora of Laurel and Guanacaste trees.
Named after a Native American legend, the Rincon de la Vieja is actually an active volcano that is over a million years old. It last spewed ash and lava down its sides in 1991. However, it has not erupted since 1983. A one-day climb to the top of the volcano hikers is treated to striking views of the Nicoya Peninsula and the Lago de Nicaragua from here. Higher than the summit and weather permitting, tourists can view the beautiful Los Jilgueros Lake that lies within the boundaries of the Von Seeback, the main crater of the Rincon de la Vieja. If you plan on hiking up the volcano, do remember to take plenty of drinking water as well as a light coat as the weather can change closer to the summit.
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