This morning, we made an early landing on Playas del Coco and headed to our destination, Hacienda Guachipelin. Some guests also planned to visit Rincon de la Vieja Volcano (RVV). Located on the northwestern side of Costa Rica, the volcano is one of the largest and most active in the Guanacaste province. Measuring 1,916 meters (6,286 feet) tall and 15 km (nine miles) wide, the enormous, 600,000-year-old geological beauty has at least nine volcanic craters and around 32 rivers flowing down its sides. The RVV and its sleeping sibling, the Santa María Volcano, form the center of the Rincón de la Vieja National Park, which is part of the Guanacaste Conservation Area (ACG) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Located 25 km northeast of Liberia, the park's 14,090 hectares (24,800 acres) are divided in two sectors: Las Pailas (the mud pits) and Santa María. The Hotel Hacienda Guachipelín, from where we based our activities today, is located minutes from the entrance of Las Pailas.
Legend tells of Princess Curubandá, daughter of the chief of the Curubandé tribe, who fell in love with Prince Mixcoac, son of an enemy. Curubandá’s father ended the life of the forbidden lover by throwing him into the crater of the active volcano. Overcome by pain, Curubandá became a prisoner, living the rest of her life high up on the slope of the volcano. She learned of the volcano's natural medicines and developed healing powers. People seeking medicinal cures were told to go to the “old lady's corner,” or Rincon de la Vieja, on the volcano. The volcano’s name has its origins in this legend.
The area of Las Pailas displays the impressive power of the active volcano with its fumaroles, mini geysers, bubbling volcanic mud pits, natural hot springs, and jungle waterfalls. These features give us an unbelievable experience; it is unlike any other volcano in Costa Rica. Although the volcano's last major eruption was in 1998, its activity once served as a natural beacon for ships at sea. Rincón de la Vieja National Park is home to 300 species of birds and many mammals, including howler, white-faced and spider monkeys, armadillos, sloths, and coatis. One can cross from a dry forest to a cloudy one in the middle of a volcanic environment in a short tour.
Our day was full of choices, adventures, and activities, including anything from ziplining over the canyon of a river, horseback riding to a waterfall, hiking the trails of the national park, or enjoying the lovely hot springs at the hotel. We could not have had a better day. We will go to bed tired but looking forward to whatever adventures tomorrow brings.
