Daily
8:00 AM
1/2 day
Visit one of Costa Rica’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Guanacaste Conservation Area
Founded in 1973, the Rincón de la Vieja National park extends 34000 acres of land, is home to the Rincón de la Vieja National Volcano, and protects both the montane Tropical Forest and the Dwarf Cloud Forest. The park is also part of one of Costa Rica’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Guanacaste Conservation Area.
Off The Beaten Path HIke
Our trekking experience starts at the ‘Las Pailas’ Sector of the Park, passes through segments of primary forest as well as open areas that are filled with breathtaking views and are great for spotting fauna. Experiencing the transition from Dry Forest to Rain Forest as you walk from one to the other is amazing, crossing grassy and rocky foothills and a little bit of the mist forest plus the gallery forest around the waterfalls. This hike is specially designed to experience the biodiversity of the area by walking through it. The hike will access 2 different waterfalls: La Cangreja and Escondida.
What to bring
- Water
- Snacks
- Hiking shoes
- Repellent
- Sunblock
- Comfortable clothing including long pants, hat, camera, binoculars, raincoat (seasonal)
- Optional: CR bird book
Transportation
Not included in price. Please indicate in advance if required.
Duration of transportation will depend on your place of accommodation. Times can variate drastically.
who is this for?
Recommended for teenagers
Recommended for people in good physical condition
Important Information
To make things easy, follow the address link provided below to get to your destination using the Waze navigation app on your mobile device.
Location: Rincon De La Vieja National Park, Las Pailas Sector, drive there using Waze: https://waze.com/ul/hd1gm3c4hd
Upon arrival, your guide will quickly complete the check-in process and quickly illustrate on the terrain and area in general. Departing early will give us the advantage of more wildlife and less people. The idea is to be the first on the trail, to get to see as much as possible of the wildlife that inhabits this beautiful ecosystem.
Some of the many amazing sights can be bats, ant hills, monkeys, peccaries, and other small mammals, many birds, lizards, among others. Some of the the most amazing trees and plants, hiked over a couple small bridges, and up and down small hills. At some point, there is a very fast running medium sized stream that just disappeared down a cave into the ground!
Our guide will not only lead the path but also point and explain all about nature encounters, the different ecosystems and key information about trees, landscape, geology and weather. Bring water, you’ll need it! Also, bring something to snack on, as you’ll probably be hiking for at least 3 hours and about 4 kilometers round trip to access both waterfalls and be back at your starting point.
Driving Times
| Starting Point | Distance in Kilometers | Distance in Miles | Approx. Driving Time | Road Conditions |
| Playa Hermosa | 57.9 | 35.98 | 1:10 | Pavement |
| Playas del Coco | 60.2 | 37.4 | 1:14 | Pavement |
| Playa Panamá | 53.4 | 33.18 | 1:05 | Pavement |
| Playa Ocotal | 63.2 | 39.27 | 1:20 | Pavement |
| Riu Guanacaste | 65.6 | 40.76 | 1:20 | Pavement |
| Las Catalinas | 75.8 | 47.1 | 1:45 | Pavement with some off-road |
| Playa Flamingo | 98.2 | 61.02 | 1:49 | Pavement with some off-road |
| Playa Grande | 98.7 | 61.33 | 1:52 | Pavement |
| Playa Tamarindo | 102 | 63.38 | 2:00 | Pavement |
| Playa Conchal | 95.6 | 59.40 | 1:54 | Pavement |
| Liberia | 25.6 | 15.91 | 0:38 | Pavement |
| Bagaces | 54.9 | 34.11 | 1:05 | Pavement |
| Cañas | 73.2 | 45.42 | 1:10 | Pavement |
| Santa Cruz | 81.7 | 50.77 | 1:31 | Pavement |
| Belen | 63.5 | 39.46 | 1:13 | Pavement |
| Filadelfia | 58 | 36.04 | 1:09 | Pavement |
| LIR International Airport | 35.3 | 21.93 | 0:46 | Pavement |