Hiking and tubing at Rincon de la Vieja from Guanacaste

Two volcanic landscapes in one day: a crater-rim hike and a jungle river run

Combine hiking and river tubing at Rincon de la Vieja, one of Costa Rica's most active volcanoes. Walk the Las Pailas Circular Trail past boiling mud pots and fumaroles in an easy hour-long loop, then tube 2.5 miles down Rio Colorado, navigating up to 25 rapids separated by calm stretches. A professional guide leads both activities, with hotel pickup, lunch and park fees included.

The experience

The day starts with the Las Pailas Circular Trail, a 2-mile loop that circles the volcano's geothermal features. You walk past boiling mud pots and fumaroles, vents releasing volcanic gases, and past a small crater called the volcancito. The trail takes about an hour and stays easy underfoot. During the green season, a seasonal waterfall appears along the route. This is the warm-up for what comes next.

After lunch at the ranch, you move to Rio Colorado for the tubing section. You'll float and paddle 2.5 miles down a Class I and II river in a durable custom inflatable tube, hitting up to 25 rapids with calm water in between. The rapids are manageable (this is not whitewater survival), but they are real, and the jungle closes in on both sides. A guide stays with the group throughout, and the whole tubing run is the kind of thing that feels like an amusement park ride until you remember you're in the middle of a rainforest.

The day runs eight hours from pickup to drop-off. A professional guide who speaks English or Spanish leads both activities. You get bottled water, a buffet lunch, all park fees, and transport from your hotel in the Guanacaste area. The maximum group size is three people per booking, which keeps the pace manageable and the guide's attention focused.

What’s included

• Buffet lunch at the ranch.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• national park fees.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• all activities and equipment for both hiking and tubing.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Audio guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 23 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Pininos Adventures

Is this one for you?You do both activities yourself (hiking the trail on foot and paddling the river in your own tube) with a guide leading the way. This suits anyone who wants to move through the landscape rather than watch it, and who has a morning's worth of easy walking and a couple of hours in the water in them.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Las Pailas trail actually like to walk?

Las Pailas is an easy, 2-mile loop that takes about an hour. You pass boiling mud pots and fumaroles, active volcanic vents, and a small crater called the volcancito. The trail stays low-impact and flat enough that it does not demand hiking experience. During the green season, a small waterfall appears along the route.

How rough are the rapids on Rio Colorado?

Rio Colorado runs Class I and II rapids, which are manageable for anyone comfortable in water. You'll encounter up to 25 of them over 2.5 miles, separated by stretches of calm current. The rapids are real enough to feel like a ride, but they are not technical or dangerous.

What happens if I have a bad back or other health concerns?

The hike is easy and low-impact, but tubing involves sitting in an inflatable tube and navigating rapids. The activity is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health, and it is not suitable for pregnant travelers. If you have concerns, contact the operator before booking.