Rincon de la Vieja National Park: hot springs and mineral baths
Area | 34,800 acres, approximately |
Location | Guanacaste Province (10.830° N - 85.324° W) |
Max. Elevation | Rincon de la Vieja: 6,286' above sea level; Santa Maria: 6,307' above sea level |
Precipitation | 100 - 120 inches annually |
Last Eruption | Rincon de la Vieja in 1998 |
Date of Creation | November, 1973 |
Rincon de la Vieja National Park, includes Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and its dormant sister cone, Santa Maria, as well as the older dormant Cerro Von Seebach. In addition to the hiking trail, thermal mud pools, waterfall swimming areas and freshwater lakes are also available for visitor use.
Rincon de la Vieja, the largest volcano in the country's northwest, comprises a remote volcanic complex in the Guanacaste Range. At least nine eruptive vents are located within a 15-kilometer-wide caldera. The twin cone of 1,916-meter Santa Maria volcano, the highest peak of the Rincon complex, features an inactive crater 500 meters across. A well-marked trail system through Rincon de la Vieja National Park leads visitors through the tropical forest to the park's attractions.
The last major eruption of Rincon de la Vieja occurred about 3,500 years ago. All subsequent eruptions, including numerous historical events dating back to the 16th century, have occurred in the mountain's lake-filled active crater.
