Rincon de la Vieja Volcano Hike & Hot Springs Tour from Tamarindo

Hike past boiling mud pots and fumaroles, then cool off in a waterfall and geothermal pools

A full-day guided tour from Tamarindo through Rincón de la Vieja National Park combines a moderate 2-hour hike through volcanic terrain with swimming at Oropendola Waterfall and soaking in Río Negro Hot Springs, including a volcanic mud bath. Hotel pickup and drop-off, park entry, lunch and a bilingual naturalist guide are included. You can also arrange to meet the group at the park entrance instead. A minimum of two people per booking is required, and the tour runs 12 hours from pickup to return.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Rincon de la Vieja National Park2h · entry included
2. Rio Negro Hot Springs1h · entry included
3. Flamingo Beachpassing by
4. Tamarindo Beachpassing by

Explore volcano, waterfall, and hot springs

• Hike 3.5 km Las Pailas trail
• Observe volcanic activity and wildlife
• Swim at Oropendola Waterfall
• Eat typical Costa Rican lunch
• Relax at Río Negro Hot Springs
• Enjoy volcanic mud bath

The experience

Your day starts with pickup from your Tamarindo-area hotel (or you can meet the group at the park entrance at 9:00 am if you prefer to drive yourself). The bilingual naturalist guide leads you onto the Las Pailas circular path, a 3.5-kilometer trail through tropical forest where the volcano's power shows in real time: bubbling mud pots, fumaroles releasing steam and sulfur, and a mini crater carved into yellow and rusty soil. The park is home to more than 300 bird species, and you'll likely spot white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, armadillos, coatis, iguanas and toucans moving through the canopy.

After the hike, a short walk off the main path brings you to Oropendola Waterfall, where the blue lagoon is deep enough to jump and swim in. Then comes lunch: a typical Costa Rican meal, with vegetarian options available if you request them at booking. The afternoon moves to Río Negro Hot Springs, where ten naturally heated pools sit surrounded by tropical dry forest. The mineral-rich thermal waters stay crystal clear, and you can smooth volcanic clay mud onto your skin in the natural mud bath before soaking in the pools. The whole day wraps with the drive back to your hotel.

You'll need a moderate level of physical fitness for the 2-hour hike and the terrain. Bring a picture of your passport with you: Costa Rica's Ministry of Tourism now requires each visitor to carry one. If your hotel isn't on the standard pickup list, contact the operator for a quote. The tour runs 12 hours total, and a driver and guide stay with the group throughout.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Tamarindo-area hotels (or meet at the park entrance).
• Rincón de la Vieja National Park entrance fees.
• bilingual naturalist guide for the full day.
• 3.5-kilometer hike through Las Pailas.
• Oropendola Waterfall swim.
• typical Costa Rican lunch with vegetarian option available.
• access to ten thermal pools at Río Negro Hot Springs.
• volcanic mud bath.
• bottled water.
• air-conditioned vehicle and driver.

Options for this experience

2 options

Self-drive, meet at the parkGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00Drive your own vehicle: meet your guide at Rincon de la Vieja National Park at 9:00 am and follow our tour bus to lunch and the hot springs. Starting point: Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja, Guanacaste Province, Liberia, Costa Rica.

Shared transportation and guideGuide in English or Spanish · 06:30Shared tour for up to 15 people, with round-trip transport to and from the following points: JW Marriott, Tamarindo, Langosta, Flamingo, Potrero, RIU Hotels, Coco, Hermosa, Panama, and Liberia. Starting points include Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica, by Hyatt, Peninsula Papagayo, Provincia de Guanacaste, Liberia, Costa Rica C6M5+74W, Flamingo Beach Road, Guanacaste Province, Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica; Hilton Garden Inn Guanacaste Airport, Frente al Aeropuerto Inter Daniel Oduber, Ruta 21, Provincia de Guanacaste, Liberia, 50101, Costa Rica; Hotel Riu Guanacaste, Playa Matapalo, RIU Guanacaste Route, Guanacaste Province, Sardinal, 50503, Costa Rica; JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa, Hacienda Pinilla, Provincia de Guanacaste, Guanacaste, 50309, Costa Rica; Peri Liberia, Plaza Sta Rosa, Guanacaste, Liberia Centro, Centro Comercial, Provincia de Guanacaste, Liberia, El Sitio, Costa Rica; Playa Conchal, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica; Playa Danta, Las Catalinas, 4 km Norte de Playa, Provincia de Guanacaste, Potrero, 50304, Costa Rica; Playa Grande, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica; Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica, Guanacaste Province, Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica; Playa Panama, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica; and Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

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 timesTuesday to SundayDepartures at 06:30 and 09:00

Book up to11h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (under 12)

GroupUp to 15

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.

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 50

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Native's Way Costa Rica

Is this one for you?Book the shared transportation option if you're arriving without a rental car and want the guide to handle the route and timing. Choose the self-drive option if you have a car and prefer to meet the group at the park entrance at 9:00 am and skip the pickup fee.

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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 (under 12).

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 wildlife will I see on the Rincón de la Vieja hike?

The park is home to more than 300 bird species, including toucans and turkeys, plus white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, armadillos, coatis and iguanas. What you spot depends on the time of day and season, but the guide will point out animals and birds as you walk the Las Pailas trail.

Can I do this tour on my own without the guide and transportation?

Yes, you can meet the group at the National Park entrance at 9:00 am and pay only for park entry and the activities, skipping the hotel pickup and shared transportation. You'll still have access to the guide, lunch and the hot springs portion of the day.

Is the hike difficult, and how long does it take?

The 3.5-kilometer hike on the Las Pailas circular path is moderate in difficulty and takes about 2 hours. You'll need a moderate level of physical fitness, and the trail passes through tropical forest with stops to view volcanic features like mud pots and fumaroles.

What's included in the lunch, and can I request vegetarian food?

Lunch is a typical Costa Rican meal included in the tour price. Vegetarian options are available. Just let the operator know at booking or use the Special Requirements field at checkout to advise your dietary needs.

How long is the whole tour, and what time does it end?

The tour runs 12 hours from pickup to drop-off. Pickups start as early as 6:15 am depending on your hotel location, so you'll return in the late afternoon or early evening.

Do I need to bring a towel for the hot springs and waterfall?

You'll need to bring your own towel for the waterfall swim and the hot springs. The operator does not provide towels, so pack one in your day bag.