Central America

Costa Rica has no shortage of places where you can be exploring outside. It is the best place to go to hike, swim, and of course, zipline. However, the area surrounding Rincón de la Vieja National Park somehow manages to fit all three into a single day. It was the perfect spot to spend a week in Costa Rica and check off all the bucklist Costa Rican activities. Not only can you do the obvious must-do activities, but there is also river tubing, horseback riding, waterfall rappelling and volcanic mud baths.  This was one of the most adventure-packed portions of my Costa Rica trip. Looking for adrenaline? I have got you covered. We stayed at Hacienda Guachipelín, which made it incredibly easy to experience the national park and many of the surrounding attractions without spending half the day sitting in a vehicle. Everything was literally at our fingertips. Although people often group everything together under the name Rincón de la Vieja, the national park and Hacienda Guachipelín’s private adventure attractions are separate. The park is where you will find official trails and volcanic features, while many activities such as Río Negro tubing, Las Chorreras Waterfall and the Río Negro Hot Springs are offered through the hacienda. They make it simple and easy to do everything on-site. Here are the best things to do near Rincón de la Vieja if you want more than a quiet vacation beside the pool while in Costa Rica. Get ready for a trip filled with adventure! 1. Hike the Las Pailas Trail Rincón de la Vieja National Park should be your first stop because it explains why this entire area feels so alive. The landscape is not the dense, dripping rainforest many travelers picture when they think of Costa Rica. Much of this region is tropical dry forest, with open trails, and visible signs of volcanic activity. The Las Pailas sector allows you to walk through different environments while seeing fumaroles, bubbling mud pots and other geothermal features created by the volcano. We completed a morning hike before moving on to our next activity, which worked well in the heat. Bring more water than you think you need, along with sunscreen, bug spray and sturdy shoes. The park’s schedule and trail access can change, so check the official SINAC information before visiting. Some waterfall trails require visitors to begin by noon, and the Las Pailas sector is generally closed on Mondays 2. Go Tubing on the Río Negro I have gone whitewater rafting before, but river tubing feels completely different. Instead of sitting in a raft with several other people, you are inside your own reinforced tube, bouncing through the rapids while trying to steer away from rocks. It is chaotic in the best possible way. But be prepared, it is chaotic. I would highly advise not bringing your phone. Our Río Negro tubing adventure covered approximately three miles of Class II and III rapids. Some sections were calm enough to look around at the jungle, while others had me gripping the handles and hoping my tube remained upright. Many people fell out of their tube, but rest assured, everyone was okay, other than a few bruises. You are given a helmet and life jacket, and the guides help keep everyone moving safely through the narrower sections. Wear secure water shoes or old sneakers rather than flip-flops. You should also bring a swimsuit and waterproof sunscreen. Hacienda Guachipelín currently offers Río Negro tubing individually and as part of combination adventure packages. 3. Try the Canyon Canopy Tour Costa Rica is known for ziplining, but the canyon canopy experience near Rincón de la Vieja involves much more than gliding between a few platforms. The course follows a canyon formed by the Blanco River and can include zip lines, hanging bridges, rock climbing, rappelling and a Tarzan-style swing. It feels more like an obstacle course built into the landscape than a traditional canopy tour. This was a good option for our group because there was constantly something new happening. You might finish one zip line, cross a narrow bridge and immediately prepare to rappel into the canyon. Wear athletic clothes that are comfortable beneath a harness, and choose closed-toe shoes with decent traction. If you choose to wear crocs, there is a good chance they will fall off, so make sure your shoes are secure. I would advise water shoes or chocos. 4. Ride a Horse to Las Chorreras Waterfall I would not describe myself as an experienced horseback rider, but this is very beginner-friendly. Thankfully, this is not a high-speed ride across an open field. The journey to Las Chorreras Waterfall takes you along forest trails for approximately 30 minutes each way. The waterfall is actually formed by two streams dropping side by side into a bright blue mineral pool surrounded by volcanic rock. Bring a swimsuit beneath your clothes because swimming may be possible depending on current conditions. Long pants can also make the horseback ride more comfortable. 5. Rappel Beside Victoria Waterfall Waterfall rappelling was one of those activities that sounded fun when I read the itinerary and much more intimidating when I was standing at the top. During the canyoning experience, we rappelled beside Victoria Waterfall before climbing and completing another descent. There was also a Tarzan-style pendulum into the water. This activity will probably push you outside your comfort zone, but that is exactly why I enjoyed it. It was not something I would ordinarily organize on my own, and it gave me a chance to experience the landscape instead of simply looking at it. Quick-drying clothing is essential. Regular cotton becomes heavy and uncomfortable once wet, so wear a swimsuit with athletic shorts and a lightweight shirt. 6. Cover Yourself in Volcanic Mud at Río Negro Hot Springs After several days of hiking, climbing and getting tossed around in rivers, the Río Negro Hot Springs felt very earned. The property includes multiple thermal pools naturally heated by the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano. Visitors