Miravalles Volcano Tour: Walk Inside Active Crater

Step inside an active crater and witness volcanic smoke, mud pots, and sulfur up close.

A full-day tour from Playa Flamingo to Miravalles Volcano where you walk into an active crater, observe bubbling mud pots and fumaroles with temperatures up to 100 degrees Celsius, and bathe in three thermal pools fed by volcanic springs. The tour includes a professional guide in English or Spanish, lunch, bottled water and hotel pickup. It runs about seven hours and suits families and friends with at least moderate fitness.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Miravalles Volcano and surroundings

• Drive 2 hours to Miravalles Volcano
• Walk inside active crater observing hot pools and mud pots
• See fumaroles and sulphur deposits
• Enjoy sauna, hot springs, and mud baths

The experience

The drive takes roughly two hours from Playa Flamingo into the foothills of Miravalles, where you reach Las Hornillas: the only place in Costa Rica where visitors can walk inside an active crater. Once there, you observe pools of hot water, bubbling mud pots and fumaroles releasing steam from below, alongside crystallized sulfur deposits and hot stones. This is the core of the experience: you are standing on the crater floor itself, watching and feeling the volcano work.

After the crater walk, the tour moves to the thermal pools and mud baths. Three pools of varying temperatures let you soak in water heated naturally by the volcano. The outdoor mud spa offers another way to experience the mineral-rich waters. A guide stays with your group throughout, pointing out the volcanic features and explaining what you are seeing. Lunch is included partway through the day, and bottled water is on hand for the hike.

The tour suits families and friends looking for a nature-focused day away from crowded sites. A 40-minute hike through primary rainforest with hanging bridges and winding trails leads to Escondida Waterfall as part of the route. Children from age six can join if accompanied by an adult. Specialized infant seats and prams are available for younger children. The pace is moderate but steady, and you should be comfortable with walking on uneven terrain and climbing in and out of thermal pools.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Spanish.
• lunch.
• bottled water.
• hotel pickup and drop-off (when selected at checkout).
• access to the active crater, thermal pools and mud baths at Miravalles Volcano.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour for up to 4 people or moreGuide in English or Spanish · 06:35 and 07:00This trip is still almost a hidden gem and brings us to Miravalles, one of the most active volcanoes in Guanacaste: an untamed, rainforest-covered mountain that allows us to safely visit the only walkable crater.

Rate for 2 to 3 peopleGuide in English or Spanish · 06:35Tour for up to 2 people or more: This trip remains nearly unknown and brings us to one of Guanacaste's most active volcanoes, the Miravalles, a wild mountain blanketed in rainforest that lets us safely explore the only crater you can walk into. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:35 and 07:00

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (18 to 55 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Audio 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 39 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 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Pininos Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to walk inside an active crater and soak in natural hot springs without spending a full day driving. The seven-hour length and moderate fitness requirement suit families and friends comfortable with rainforest trails and thermal water. Vegetarian meals are available. Let the operator know at booking.

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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 (13 to 17 years); Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 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.

Can I add the Llanos del Cortez Waterfalls to this tour?

Llanos del Cortez Waterfalls are not included in the standard tour package, but you can arrange a visit for an extra charge of $7 per adult or $4 per child at the time of booking.

What should I wear and bring for the Miravalles Volcano tour?

Wear clothes you don't mind getting muddy and wet, plus sturdy shoes with good grip for the rainforest trails and thermal pools. Bring a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen. Bottled water is provided, but you may want extra snacks for the seven-hour day.

Is hotel pickup included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included when you select that option at checkout. Confirm your accommodation details when you book.

How many people can book this tour together?

The tour operates as a private tour for groups of four or more. If you have two to three people, a separate rate applies for your group size.