Miravalles Volcano: Crater Hike & Hot Springs with Waterfall

Walk into an active volcanic crater, then soak in its natural hot springs

You hike into an active volcanic crater, soak in natural hot springs fed by the volcano's heat, and swim at a jungle waterfall: all in one day from Liberia. The tour includes transport, lunch, and a guide who explains what you're seeing as you move through the rainforest and across the crater floor. You don't arrange parking, timing or entry fees yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Miravalles Volcano hike and hot springs

• Stop at Llanos de Cortés Waterfall
• Swim in natural waterfall pool
• Hike Tropical Rain Forest with hanging bridges
• Discover 3 hidden waterfalls
• Visit Las Hornillas volcanic crater
• Observe fumaroles and boiling mud pools
• Relax in hot springs and sauna
• Apply volcanic mud from crater
• Enjoy final bath with volcano view

The experience

You're standing at the base of Miravalles volcano near Liberia, and the air already smells different: sulfur and wet earth mixing with the green of the rainforest around you. The day starts with a stop at Llanos de Cortés waterfall, where you swim in a natural pool before the real climb begins. It's not a long drive from town, but the landscape shifts fast once you're moving toward the volcano.

The hike takes you through the tropical rainforest with two hanging bridges strung between the trees, and you'll pass three hidden waterfalls on the way up. Then you reach Las Hornillas. An active volcanic crater you can walk through. This isn't a lookout point. You're actually inside it. The ground steams under your feet, sulfuric rocks line the path, and boiling mud pools bubble a few meters away. It's raw and a little unsettling in the best way. Your guide will point out the fumaroles and explain what you're seeing, but mostly you just stand there and feel how alive the volcano is.

After the crater walk, you move straight into the thermal springs built into the same volcanic landscape. There's a natural sauna (literally a wooden structure built over a heated mineral pool), where you can open your pores before covering yourself in volcanic mud from the crater itself. Then you rinse off in the hot springs with the volcano visible above you. Lunch is included, and you'll eat before or after depending on the group's pace. The whole experience takes most of the day, and you'll be tired in a good way by the time the air-conditioned vehicle brings you back to your hotel in Liberia.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and return transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, entry to Llanos de Cortés waterfall where you swim in a natural pool, the rainforest hike with hanging bridges, entry to Las Hornillas active volcanic crater, access to the natural hot springs and sauna built over the heated mineral pool, volcanic mud from the crater for your body, lunch, and one bottle of water per person.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 41 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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Costa Rica Unique Transfers and Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to experience the volcano and rainforest without arranging your own transport, entry permits, or timing. The fixed schedule gets you to the crater, the springs, and back to your hotel in one day.

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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: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (under 4): free.

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.

How long is the hike to the crater?

The full experience takes most of the day. The hike through the rainforest to Las Hornillas crater is moderate in difficulty, and you'll spend time walking the crater itself and soaking in the springs afterward.

Is the waterfall swim included?

Yes. You stop at Llanos de Cortés waterfall on the way to the volcano and swim in the natural pool there before heading to the crater.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and return transport, entry to the crater and hot springs, lunch, one bottle of water per person, and an air-conditioned vehicle for the drive.

Is there wheelchair access?

Wheelchair access is available at the thermal springs area, but not on the rainforest hike or inside the volcanic crater itself.

What should I bring?

Swimwear, a towel, sturdy hiking shoes, and sun protection. The volcanic mud is included, but bring a change of clothes for after.

Do I need to be very fit?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The hike is steady but not extreme, and the pace is set by the group.

What's the weather like?

Liberia is in the dry season from December to April and rainy season from May to November. The rainforest stays humid year-round, so expect heat and possible rain depending on the season.