Rincón de la Vieja Volcano Tour: Waterfalls & Hot Springs

Swim a waterfall pool, soak in volcanic springs, and rinse off in warm mud

A full-day tour of Rincón de la Vieja Volcano combines three natural thermal experiences with a typical Costa Rican meal. You swim in the turquoise pool beneath Oropéndola Waterfall, soak in over 10 mineral-rich hot springs by Río Negro, and apply volcanic mud to your skin before rinsing it clean. A trilingual guide and hotel pickup are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit waterfalls and hot springs

• Visit Oropéndola Waterfall
• Swim in turquoise pool
• Relax at Rincón Hot Springs
• Enjoy volcanic mud bath
• Savor typical Costa Rican buffet

The experience

The day starts with a drive through the volcanic landscape to Oropéndola Waterfall, where you wade into a canyon pool fed by the cascade. The water is cold and clear. The setting is narrow rock walls and forest. From there you move to the Rincón Hot Springs, a series of natural pools heated by geothermal activity and rich enough in minerals to leave your skin feeling different afterward. The mud bath comes next. You paint the warm volcanic mud onto your body, let it dry in the sun, and rinse it off in one of the pools. It's a straightforward ritual, not a spa treatment, and the effect is real enough that locals and tourists alike make it part of their routine here.

The tour runs seven hours total and includes air-conditioned transportation from your hotel, a guide who speaks English, Spanish, or French, and a typical Costa Rican buffet meal made with local ingredients. The guide handles the logistics and the route. You move through the stops at a pace that lets you spend real time in the water rather than rushing between photo spots. The terrain is manageable for all fitness levels, and the operator provides specialized infant seats if you're traveling with small children.

What’s included

• Your tour includes air-conditioned transportation from your hotel.
• a trilingual guide who speaks English, Spanish, or French.
• a typical Costa Rican buffet meal with fresh, local ingredients.
• and access to all three natural thermal experiences: the waterfall pool, the hot springs, and the volcanic mud bath.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Costour

Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling as a group and want a full day immersed in multiple thermal pools and waterfalls rather than hitting one or two stops. The seven-hour timeframe lets you linger at each location without feeling rushed.

Traveler reviews

4.97★★★★★★★★★★

36 verified traveler reviews

5 ★35

4 ★1

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What is Oropéndola Waterfall like when you get there?

Oropéndola Waterfall drops into a turquoise pool set inside a scenic canyon with rock walls and forest surrounding it. The pool is deep enough to swim in, and the water is cold and refreshing.

How many hot springs are there at Rincón?

Rincón Hot Springs has over 10 natural thermal pools, each one heated by geothermal activity and mineral-rich. You can move between them and soak as long as you want during your time there.

Is the volcanic mud bath something I have to do, or can I skip it?

The mud bath is part of the tour itinerary. You paint the warm volcanic mud onto your body, let it dry, and then rinse it off in one of the pools to leave your skin soft and revitalized.

What kind of meal is included?

A typical Costa Rican buffet meal made with fresh, local ingredients is served as part of the tour. It's prepared on-site and included in the price.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the starting point?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels. If your hotel is not on the pickup list, public transportation options are available nearby.