Rincon de la Vieja: Zipline, Horseback & River Tubing Combo

Summary

Zipline through canyons ride horses float Rio Negro then soak in volcanic hot springs

You’ll fly across canyons on ziplines, ride horses through sun-dappled forest, bounce down Rio Negro’s rapids in your own tube, then relax in volcanic hot springs with a mud bath—all guided by locals who know every twist of Rincon de la Vieja. Expect laughter, muddy hands, and maybe a new story to tell.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to be laughing out loud before 10am, but there I was—halfway across a canyon in Rincon de la Vieja, legs dangling, wind in my face. Our guide Marco had just clipped me onto the first zipline cable and winked (“Pura vida!”), which made my nerves worse but somehow steadied my hands. The air smelled sharp and green, almost peppery from the trees. When I finally let go and zipped out over the rocks below, it felt like time slowed down for a second—then sped up again as I landed clumsily on the next platform. My partner tried the Tarzan swing (I chickened out), and even Marco laughed when she screamed all the way down.

After that rush, we traded harnesses for saddles. The horses were calm—mine kept stopping to munch leaves—and we wandered through patches of sunlight under huge trees. Marco pointed out a toucan (I missed it; too busy watching where my horse’s feet went). The forest was quieter than I thought it would be except for some distant birds and our horses’ hooves crunching dry leaves. Honestly, by this point I’d forgotten about the river tubing part until someone behind me joked about “getting soaked soon.”

The Rio Negro was colder than I expected—my toes went numb at first—but once you’re bouncing along in your tube you don’t care. Water splashed everywhere; I swallowed half a mouthful by accident and it tasted like clean stone. There’s this one spot where you spin around backwards for a second and see nothing but green walls on both sides—it’s weirdly peaceful before another set of rapids throws you off-balance again. By lunchtime (buffet—so much fruit), everyone looked sunburned and happy.

I still think about those hot springs at the end—the way steam curled up into the late afternoon light while we painted ourselves with volcanic mud like kids at summer camp. My skin felt gritty then silky after rinsing off in the river. On the drive back past Flamingo Beach, Marco told us how his grandmother used to make her own mud masks from this same volcano. It’s funny what sticks with you—sometimes not what you expect.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day adventure at Rincon de la Vieja

• Meet at 9:00 am for self drive
• Zipline through canyon and canopy
• Rappel, rock climb, and Tarzan swing
• Horseback ride through forest
• River tubing on Rio Negro rapids
• Enjoy full lunch with drinks
• Relax at hot springs and mud bath

Top questions

How long is the Guachipelin adventure tour?

The tour lasts most of the day, including all activities plus lunch and transfers.

Is hotel pickup included for this Rincon de la Vieja combo?

Yes, hotel pickup is included from many areas like Tamarindo, Flamingo Beach, Liberia and more.

What age is recommended for river tubing at Rincon de la Vieja?

The minimum age is 8 years old; ability depends on child size and river strength that day.

Are dietary restrictions accommodated at lunch?

Yes, all dietary restrictions can be accommodated at the buffet lunch.

What should I bring for the river tubing part?

You should bring swimwear and shoes that can get wet; towels are helpful too.

Is there a weight limit for this adventure tour?

The weight limit is 300 lbs per participant.

Do I need to be very fit for this tour?

A moderate level of physical fitness is needed; not recommended for those with heart or spinal issues.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning hotel pickup from most Guanacaste areas in an air-conditioned minivan, all entry fees to activities around Rincon de la Vieja including ziplining with safety gear, horseback riding through forest trails, over five kilometers of river tubing on Rio Negro with guides nearby, a full buffet lunch (with options for all diets), bottled water throughout the day, plus time to soak in natural hot springs and try a volcanic mud bath before heading back in comfort.