Rincon de la Vieja

The Rincon de la Vieja National Park is located just 30 minutes northeast from Liberia, Guanacaste. Unfortunately, due to bad roads, there are only two early morning buses between Liberia and the park, which mostly serve employees of the various inns and restaurants in the area. Your best bet it to find a hotel that offers free transportation between the two locations.

Named after the local volcano, the park houses a wide array of geothermal activity, from hot springs to mud pots to geysers to a warm river called the Rio Celeste, which gets its name from its beautiful turquoise blue color.

Many tour operators are in the area and offer hikes, horseback rides and tours to the Blue Lagoon, waterfalls, volcano, hot springs and mud baths. The most famous hike is the Las Pailas trail which takes you past fumaroles, steam vents and sulfur springs.

• Rincon Hotels