Hike to Las Pailas & Rio Negro Hot Springs & Mud Baths

Trek to Las Pailas Trail Before Relaxing in Natural Hot Springs & Mud Baths

Meaning “The Cauldrons” in Spanish, the Las Pailas area spectacularly shows off the awesome power of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, the largest and most active volcano in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Steaming fumaroles, mini-geysers and bubbling volcanic mud pits give you an incredible experience like no other volcano in Costa Rica.

Hiking in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park on the Las Pailas loop trail takes you 2.5 miles (3.5 km) through dry tropical forest to see the best views of the volcano, incredible nature, volcanic activity and wildlife. Our bilingual naturalist guide will point out many of the 300 bird species that live here, and any other animals, like white-faced, howler and spider monkeys, armadillos, collared peccaries, iguanas, snakes, or white-nosed coatis.

When you finish your hike, a car will be ready to take you to the Rio Negro Hot Springs, one of the most popular attractions at Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Surrounded by thick tropical dry forest, Rio Negro (Black River) flows through 10 man-made pools filled with steaming mineral-rich volcanic waters. You access pools on both sides of the river by two hanging bridges. Heated volcanic clay is available to smooth all over like a spa “body masque.” After it dries, wash it off with cold river water before jumping back in the hot pools.

There are changing rooms, bathrooms and lockers at the hot springs entrance. From there, you will walk a beautiful trail less than a quarter-mile (350 meters) through the forest to the hot springs pools.

The entrance fee to the park is not included in the price.