Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park

Understand

The closest park to the Papagayo, Coco, Hermosa, Flamingo, Tamarindo area. This park has lots of volcanic activity, fumaroles, boiling mud pots, vapor vents, sulfur vents, forests, wild life. Great for a one day tour with the whole family. There are more complicated trails for expert hikers as well, like the crater top or the sulfur springs "Los Azufrales". There is a convenience at the entrance of the park with bathrooms. The park is closed on Mondays.

Flora and fauna

Upper forest trees are of small stature and are twisted and covered with epiphytes. Rincon de la Vieja is a refuge for a large population the national flower Guaria Morada Cattleya Skinerii. Tree species such as Laurel Cordia alliodora, Guanacaste In terolobium cyclocarpum, Cedar odorata Cederla, Indian naked Bursera simarouba and Copey Clusia spp. are abundant.

Approximately 300 bird species inhabit the park including the Pavón Penelope purpurascens, the Bobo bird Momotus momotta, the mountain Linnet goldfinch Myadestes melanops, and Tucancillo Auracorhynchus prasinus.

History

This national park was created officially decreed on 23 October 1973, created on 10 May 1974, and ratified on 27 December 1982.

It is a part of the protected area of the Conservation Area Guanacaste, ACG and operates in conjunction with the National Parks of Guanacaste and Santa Rosa, the Vida Silvestre Wildlife Refuge and the Horizontes Experimental Forestry Station.

The park is divided into two sectors: Pailas and Santa Maria.

The Pailas sector

was named after the volcanic eruptions that are located in the area, including fumaroles and mud pots.

The Santa Maria sector

was, from the late nineteenth st century and the year of 1973 one of the largest ranches in the area. It ran both beef and dairy cattle, and produced coffee and sugar cane.