Rincón de la Vieja Volcano: Rincón de la Vieja National Park (Costa Rica)

Rincón de la Vieja Volcano: Rincón de la Vieja National Park (Costa Rica)

Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park spans over 34,000 acres in northwestern Costa Rica and helps protect montane and dwarf cloud forests. Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, an active andesitic complex volcano, is set within the park and is one of six active Costa Rican volcanoes.

Rincón de la Vieja Volcano

Rincón de la Vieja ("Corner of the Old Woman") is an active andesitic complex volcano in northwestern Costa Rica, Guanacaste province, approximately 23 km (14 mi) northeast of the city of Liberia. It erupted most recently in September 2011.

Rincón de la Vieja stands 1,916 m (6,286 ft) above sea level, and its summit is the highest point in Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park. The volcano has many fumaroles and hot springs on its slopes, indicating substantial geothermal energy reserves.

Rincón de la Vieja National Park

Rincón de la Vieja National Park spans 12,759 ha (34,000 acres) in northwestern Costa Rica and protects montane and dwarf cloud forests. Rincón de la Vieja Volcano is located within the park and is one of six active Costa Rican volcanoes. Its dormant sister, Santa Maria Volcano, is also found here.

Various water features are major attractions at the National Park, including a freshwater lagoon, waterfalls, hot springs and boiling mud pits. With its location and sheer size, the park allows visitors to experience both the Caribbean and Pacific sides of the Cordillera de Guanacaste.

Located in Liberia in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, the park is split into two sections: Las Pailas and Santa María. The National Park is serviced by two ranger stations, one in the Santa Maria sector and the other in the Las Pailas sector.

The National Park is part of the Area de Conservación Guanacaste World Heritage Site. Trails extend from the Santa Maria ranger station and wind through the park, passing hot springs and waterfalls.

Location map of Rincón de la Vieja National Park

Location map of Rincón de la Vieja National Park

Rincón de la Vieja National Park is part of the Talamancan montane forests ecoregion. Tropical forests, including sections of montane and dwarf cloud forest, span the park's base, providing a haven for a host of flora and fauna.

Exotic and rare flora and fauna find refuge here, including kinkajous, pumas, monkeys, sloths, tapirs and jaguars.

The park's west side, on the slope of the volcano that fronts the Pacific Ocean, is arider than the eastern Caribbean-facing side, meaning it has a dry season from February through April.

The park's east side is exposed to Atlantic trade winds, bringing much rainfall and covering the mountainside with lush vegetation. As a result, there is no distinct dry season on the park's east side.