Visiting the Caribbbean Side

Comparing the Pacific Side to the Caribbean side

Read about Pacific side hike of Rincon de la Vieja

Rincon de la Vieja is among the most popular places to vacation in Guancaste, Costa Rica. On the Caribbean side there an abundance of ecotourism, hotels, ecotourism lodges and mountain lodges. Your adventure vacation and tour includes the rainforest, hot springs, blue rivers, waterfalls, spa and hiking the volcano.

The Caribbean and Pacific sides of Rincon de la Vieja offer quite different experiences. Rincon de la Vieja’s north side is called the Caribbean side and the west side of Rincon de la Vieja is called the Pacific side. Hiking Rincon de la Vieja from the two sides and visiting the surrounding areas are also different, with respect to geography, weather, and climate.

The region around the Caribbean side is cooler and is made up of lush, tropical rainforest. The gorgeous, unique, volcanic blue rivers are only found on this side and the source can be seen by hiking this side of the Rincon de la Vieja volcano. Here you can enjoy the best of Rincon de la Vieja’s hot springs and natural mineral “green” hot spring pools, considered the best in Costa Rica.

In contrast, the weather in the Pacific side is dry and hot. Though there are opportunities to soak in pools that utilize the geothermal properties to produce hot water, there are no hot springs on the Pacific side.

Hiking to the national park’s volcanoes inside Rincon de la Vieja is possible from either side. Upon entering the park, the weather is similar on both sides, but the experience is quite different. Rincon de la Vieja, on the Caribbean side will include walking through old lava flows, with many water features and more abundant and greater variety of wildlife and plants. Here you’ll find the source of the volcanic blue rivers and opportunities to soak in natural mineral hot springs. However, hiking this side of Rincon de la Vieja is steeper and more strenuous.

The Liberia, Guanacaste hotels are a bit farther away. If you are looking for a volcano hotel, a Rincon de la Vieja hotel or a mountain lodge offering natural hot springs and ecotourism, Blue River Resort & Hot Springs is the best choice as we offer top accomodations in a perfect location. There are also other rustic lodges in the area offering basic accommodation, without hot water, but a very homey atmosphere. For those coming from Liberia, the beaches, Upala or Nicaragua, Rincon de la Vieja’s Blue River Resort & Hot Springs is a great vacation spot to visit for the day. Besides having natural mineral “green” hot springs pools that rival Tabacon and Baldi in La Fortuna, this hotel has a rainforest botanical garden, butterfly garden, mud treatments, natural steam room, spa, many nearby eco-tours and much more, including great food. Your Costa Rican vacation really starts here with us!

Best Time of Year to Visit

More About The Caribbean Side

The area along the Caribbean side is lush rainforest. The temperature averages about 5 degrees cooler than the Pacific side, is humid and features more animals and flowers. In an average year there is 200 inches of rain. So expect pleasurable rain showers year-round. There are a few rustic hotels and only one major Costa Rica hotel (Blue River Resort & Hot Springs which opened in February 2010). With recently improved roads, this area has been discovered, but there is less Costa Rica tourism than on Rincon de la Vieja’s Pacific side., so Costa Rica tourism is less popular. there are fewer tourists. Here you’ll find the source of the stunning blue volcanic rivers– Rio Celeste and Rio Penjamos – which begin and flow down from Rincon de la Vieja. And only here can you experience the natural mineral “green” hot springs. There are many options to swim in natural hot springs pools – fresh water and hot springs – with gorgeous waterfalls. Horseback riding and many eco-tours are available.

When hiking to the top of Rincon de la Vieja volcano along the Caribbean side, a guide is must. You’ll hike through private property to reach the park, and the terrain begins through jungle. The craters are covered in cloud more often during the wet season, which obstructs the views. As a result, many recommend the dry season as the best time for a hike. Inside the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, the average temperature is about 78°F/26°C. The dry season lasts from December to March with hot sunny days and magnificent sunsets. Typically there is a pleasurable short rain shower in mid afternoon. May to November is considered the rainy season, with sunny mornings and less predictable afternoon rain. The rainy season is famous for its greenery, tropical blossoms along the mountain slopes and plains. . All year around different flowers bloom and fruit ripen, each attracting different tropical birds and other animals that feed.
Remember – bring lots of water, a light coat for rain and a change of clothes to accommodate the changing temperatures.

The Caribbean side is just a little further to get to from Liberia and is a spectacular drive. Along route, you’ll gradually leave the dry open fields and ascend into the rainforest with spectacular mountain views on either side. From Liberia the drive is 60 to 70 km with the final 20 km along a gravel road. From La Cruz and Upala, the Caribbean side is closer than the Pacific side.

Summarizing Rincon de la Vieja Carabbean Side

Rincon de la Vieja is considered among the best Costa Rica national park’s to vacation. Rincon de la Vieja’s Caribbean side is a little further from Liberia, Guanacaste and a little closer to Upala than the Pacific side of Rincon de la Vieja. The climate is more moderate, the geography around the national park is lush hilly rainforest, offering more wildlife and animals. Hotels, sometimes referred to as ecotourism lodges, volcano hotels and mountain lodges dot the region. Blue River All Inclusive Resort & Hot Springs is a great hotel to both stay or come for the day. The Rincon de la Vieja has hot springs that are among the best in Costa Rica on the Caribbean side. There are fantastic opportunities to soak in natural mineral hot springs and waterfalls, swim in the blue volcanic rivers and hike the Rincon de la Vieja. Blue River Resort and Hot Springs offers all this onsite and nearby. With recently improved roads Costa Rica’s Caribbean side of Rincon de la Vieja is relatively undiscovered area for tourism.