Top Things to do in Rincon de La Vieja
Top 10 Things to do in Rincon de La Vieja, Costa Rica
Discover the best top things to do in Rincon de La Vieja, Costa Rica including Vandara Hot Springs & Adventure, Rio Perdido, La Anita Rainforest Chocolate Tour, Jobo Tours, Las Hornillas Volcano Hot Springs, Llanos de Cortez Waterfall, Sensoria Land of Senses, Ponderosa Adventure Park, Brother's Adventures Tours, Adventure Tours Hacienda Guachipelin.
Restaurants in Rincon de La Vieja
1. Vandara Hot Springs & Adventure
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 418 reviews
Vandara Hot Springs and Adventures is located only 24 km from the center of Liberia, Guanacaste and 45 minutes from Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport, close to the Rincon de la Vieja volcano skirts, is an unique center of adventure, relaxation with educational activities and Cultural tours (trapiche with senate ox), we have a spa and volcanic mud, thermal pools, organic food, fly through the treetops in one of the best zip lines in the region, organic educational tures and you can test your adrenaline in our huge water slide of more than 480 meters. We offer adventure and relaxation packages, all with the aim of making your trip an unforgettable experience.
Reviewed By anthonyvs
Went on this adventure out of Tamarindo through a tour company next to Subway. Our driver was Eugene, and he drove us to Vandara which was about 1 hour and 45 mins away. Vandara was a very nice place with many different activities included in one price. We did horseback riding, zip lining, water slide (they provide towels), cultural tour (spoke about coffee and how it's made and sampling) and about the sugar cane industry and how they make moonshine from it! (Samples too! ). We capped off the day cooling off under a waterfall, and then to the hot Springs which was very relaxing! We then had a wonderful lunch which was provided as part of our tour package. My only regret was that I didn't take enough tip money to give the many wonderful workers who provided a splendid day for us! Well worth the money!
2. Rio Perdido
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 216 reviews
Reviewed By SamanthaW6 - Deering, New Hampshire
So much adventure and outstanding guides! I wish I could remember their names from our guides to the paparazzi for all the amazing pictures they took for our memories these guys are awesome! I would love to do their job everyday! A great bunch of guys that make your adventure so much fun and personalized! Do all the adventures they offer here the experience is amazing! Spend the time with your loved one/s because the memories you make here will be unforgettable!
3. La Anita Rainforest Chocolate Tour
Overall Ratings
5 based on 80 reviews
La Anita provides the authentic opportunity to discover the magic behind the sweet flavor of chocolate. This tour will take you straight to the cacao pods of Upala, the region where La Anita is located, and guide you through the process to the ending product - fine morsels of dark chocolate for you to savor.Sign up for this tour, and you'll enjoy one of Costa Rica's tastiest traditions.
Reviewed By AEUyehara - Fairfax, Virginia
Yum! Wow! This is a most unique culinary tour! You may think you've had good chocolate but nothing quite like this! This delicious tour starts with an informative explanation of farming in the area...and the reason cacao can grow so well. Then on to how cacao is farmed and processed. Then finally...what we waited for...a sampling of various types of dark chocolate, along with the benefits of each. Pablo's attention to detail in all things chocolate will not disappoint.
4. Jobo Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By Piero G - Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
It was all just super fun. A memorable experience with these guys. I believe it is also the only tour company operating tours in the area. Modern vans, with ac, great timing picking us up, fun horseback ride and all was just well done.
5. Las Hornillas Volcano Hot Springs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By MiamiJgal - Miami
Went to las hornillas recently where we took horses up a mountain, crossed suspension bridge with views of Waterfalls and hiked up to be in the midst of nature
Then returned from the hike, went into a sauna, putting volcanic mud on our bodies
There was volcanic activity to explore in the area
Was a great day and definitely worth it
6. Llanos de Cortez Waterfall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 474 reviews
Reviewed By EireDude - Limerick, Ireland
If you are driving on Highway 1 from San Jose to Liberia you pass within 2km of this place but you won't see many adverts for it. Only recently refurbished and now boasting toilets and a lifeguard (that's where your C4,,000 goes) it is a beautiful natural swimming pool overlooked by a magnificent waterfall. There are trees around to provide shade and a gently sloping sandy 'beach' which makes it perfect for children. You may see monkeys - we didn't - and iguanas - we saw one. and apart from those mentioned there are really no facilities. Take care on the road from Highway 1 and from the entrance to the falls. It is a fairly rough dirt road but ok for family cars. When you get there the parking area is on solid - but naturally rutted rock and some of the ruts could do you damage. Walk down from the parking area and be greeted by a close up view of 50m high cascades. You can swim almost up to them before the lifeguard intervenes with his whistle. I expect it could be crowded at weekends so come on weekdays if you can. Not to be missed.
7. Sensoria Land of Senses
Overall Ratings
5 based on 203 reviews
Sensoria is one of the best gateaway to a Rainforest in Rincon de la Vieja in Guanacaste. Sensoria is located, as the last farm that neighbors Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. The tour last from 3.5 to 4 hours, walking thru a prestine rainforest, and you can swimming in blue Waterfalls and in three thermal pools. You can climb to our Observatory Tree Platform, where, if you conditions allow see the Volcano, the majestic rainforest and lake of Nicaragua. Your senses would be integrated to most beautiful places of Costa Rica's nature. Sensoria is sorounded by Rincon de la Vieja National Park, which was declare World Heritage. because has 3.9% of the wild life of the planet. In Sensoria we would show you with our Ipads, what animals croos Sensoria and the National park, we have eight trap cameras inside the forest. Sensoria has an investigation program with the help o the National Universiy of Costa Rica with its Program "Jaguar". In sensoria yous senses would enjoy the beauty of our jungles. We would provide you: welcome drink, a brief introduction to Costa Ricas's rainforest, walking sticks, water (bring bottle), fruits on the blue Waterfalls, peronal guide, that would take care of you and your family, acces to the Observatory platform and lunch. Only few groups are allowed per day. Only with prior reservation is admited. Call our reservation phone of ask your concierge to take you to ths fantastic place. Sensoria 'Land of Senses".
Reviewed By LauCQ - Delft, The Netherlands
The place is located right in the middle of 2 volcano, about 2 hours from Liberia. Once there, to get to the Waterfalls and pools you must hike for about an hour from the main house (so careful if you are not into physical activities) but it's definitely worth it! The place is stunning! Plus, for the hike you get all the equipment needed plus a guide and auxiliar. They give you information through the hike about the rain forest and its biodiversity and stop every time they see something interesting or you need a break from walking. Everyone we met there was warm and friendly. Also, they provided water, fruits and towels during the hike. You can jump into any of their termal pools (not hot Springs, sadly) which feel like heaven after the hike. Finally, a nice bath and lunch are waiting for you at the main house. Just an amazing experience which I totally recommend!
8. Ponderosa Adventure Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 325 reviews
Ponderosa Adventure Park is a unique park for the whole family. It has five kind of tours: kayaking, canopy, horseback riding, Waterfalls and safari tour.
9. Brother's Adventures Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 173 reviews
Reviewed By colcall - london
Met Marvin on the beach at Secrets. Booked a private boat tour for New Years Day. Had a blast! Picked up on beach by He told us he was called Macho...and his captain. Went to a lovely beach where we saw beautiful caves, then went snorkelling, Macho was guiding us. We then went to Coco Beach which was great, all the locals were there as it was a bank holiday. So much energy.
Then had a windy ride back which was fun.
Between Marvin and the boat team we had a fabulous 3.5 hours out.
".
10. Adventure Tours Hacienda Guachipelin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 579 reviews
Adventure tours for all ages next to Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Liberia, Guanacaste. The "One Day Adventure Pass" is a combination of Canopy Tour, White water Tubing, horseback ride and hot Springs, with 1 meal. Individual tours are operated too.The new attraction is the butterfly garden with the snake and frog exhibit. The best adventure tour is the Canyoning Tour. The only canyoning tour in Guanacaste. Hiking tours to Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park. Bird watching and wildlife observation is also offered. We are open every day of the week. Now mountain bike tours on the best single track trails in Guanacaste.
Reviewed By 24traveler24 - Canada
We came here for an adventure tour via one of the tour operators, and overall really enjoyed our day. The Hacienda and property has so much potential and can be an awesome place, but some improvements should be considered to make it the best that it can be for all involved: visitors, workers and animals. I will explain and rate each segment of the day separately for most value.
Horseback tour: 3 stars
Having been on horseback before, both in similar establishments and privately, this was one of the poorest experiences and actually made us never want to participate again in any similar commercial horseback tours. There are probably 50 or more horses, given the big groups that go through at once, and they are clearly tired and overworked. My horse was irritated and I couldn't figure out why until the very end, when I got off and realized its ropes were on excruciatingly tight around her mouth, and digging deep wells into her face, making it impossible for her to operate properly. I only wish I saw this sooner so I could have said and done something to ease the discomfort of this animal, which I am sure wasn't the only one is such a predicament. Several horses also exhibited biting behavior toward each other, which is another sign of stressful conditions. On top of it all the tour just wasn't worth it, nothing uniquely scenic about it or special about the experience. No explanations from the guides about anything along the way. Just get on the horse, go for a while (maybe it was half an hour), get off and it is done. Personally I wish this activity that enslaves these animals was retired altogether and subbed in with another one.
Tubing on the rive: 4 stars
This was our first time tubing and overall it was fantastic. The river provides about 5km of tubing, which makes it a longer and well worth it activity, with beautiful scenic views the whole way. Some forest and flora beauty, some boulders and mini-canyons and even some really huge rock spiders. Some parts of the river are very passive and relaxing, while others provide some serious rapids, where one must really be careful to make sure they don't hit any rocks or fall out, etc. Overall the safety instructions from the staff were good, but they neglected to share to watch one's back going over the rapids, as some boulders are at the water's edge, which means a bruised up tailbone. Really glad we did this activity to try it out, but definitely do not recommend it for anyone who is in any weak condition or has any neck injury or tension, as the position one is in for about an hour puts more strain on the neck and overall body. (towels are provided)
Buffet lunch: 5 stars
Next we went to the restaurant for the buffet lunch, which was surprisingly one of our day's highlights. As health-conscious, whole-food, plant-based eaters with culinary skills, we were super impressed with the variety, freshness, wholesomeness and presentation of the food. There was so much to choose from and everything tasted so good. Best of all, unlike similar buffets where every nice plant meal is contaminated with some animal food, this one kept almost every dish "clean" and had the meat table elsewhere for people who chose that to add as they desired. There were also cards indicating what was gluten-free, which seemed like almost everything. Unfortunately no cards indicating what was vegan, which would be a much desired improvement. While some dishes were obvious, some were not, neither were the sauces and desserts, which meant needing to check with the staff. Overall the restaurant is really nice, clean, airy and I only wish we were able to spend more time there, as our lunch was rather rushed and it would have been a great place to relax longer, but that was just due to the schedule of the day's activities. For any health-conscious and/or plant-based eaters, I highly recommend eating here!!!!
Canopy/canyon zipline: 4 stars
Having had done an amazing zipline experience before elsewhere in Costa Rica, we had something to compare it to. Overall this one was great, different in scenery and length of cables than our first one, but fun and beautiful in its own way. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because the group going through this at once was just too big to make the activity fully relaxing and pleasant. There were too many people on platforms at once, and almost all, except for 2 workers, were rushed and emotionless, simply going through the motions. So what should have been a really fun and exciting experience felt more like going through an assembly line. Minimizing the group sizes and adding in a little animation would go a long way, as the ziplines have really great canyon and canopy views and fun potential, including a Tarzan swing and optional rock climbing.
Hot springs: 5 stars
This was another awesome part of the day and a perfect way to end off the day. The hot Springs are really nice all around and the hot water felt amazing on our "banged-up-from-the-day's-activities" bodies. The volcanic mud application is fun, dipping in the river refreshing and hot spring pools so relaxing....could have stayed there much longer. Plus, there is a nice short walk through the forest and two neat hanging Bridges to get to and from the Springs. (towels are provided)
So in conclusion, it was a great day overall and really happy we did it, but it is clear that the Hacienda is overly confident with its popularity and large tourist groups, which means that some attention to detail, and some obvious things, are missed in the process to make it the best that it can be for all involved.
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