A Rincón de la Vieja tour from Tamarindo takes you from the beach to one of the active volcanoes of Costa Rica in about 1 hour and 45 minutes. It is the best way to see a completely different side of Guanacaste in a single day: tropical dry forest, steaming volcanic ground and rivers coming down from the mountain. This guide from Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey explains what the park is like, what our combo day includes, the schedule, the fitness level and how to book.
Short answer: the Rincón de la Vieja Combo Tour costs $180 per person (minimum 4 people), leaves Tamarindo between 6 and 7 am and returns at about 6 pm. It includes round-trip transportation, entrance tickets, bottled water, beers, juices for kids and a Costa Rican lunch (casado). Children 3 and under do not pay.
What to expect on a Rincón de la Vieja tour from Tamarindo
The day starts early with pickup in Tamarindo. The road leaves the coast, crosses the plains of Guanacaste and climbs toward the volcano range near Liberia. As you get closer, the landscape changes from open cattle land to forest, and on clear days you can see the volcano rising above the plains.
Once in the area, the day is spent outdoors: walking on natural trails, seeing the volcanic landscape up close and sitting down for a typical Costa Rican lunch. Then you ride back to Tamarindo in the late afternoon. If you want to know the exact plan for your date before booking, ask us on WhatsApp.
Rincón de la Vieja National Park: volcano and dry forest
Rincón de la Vieja National Park protects the slopes of the volcano and is part of the Guanacaste Conservation Area, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Volcanic features
The volcano is active, and its heat reaches the surface at the foot of the mountain. In the park you can find steam vents (fumaroles), pools of boiling mud and warm, mineral-rich streams. The air sometimes carries a light smell of sulfur. These features change with the activity of the volcano, so what you see can vary from one visit to another.
Dry forest and wildlife
The lower slopes are covered by tropical dry forest, the same ecosystem you see in the estuary, but taller and denser. In the dry season many trees lose their leaves and the forest opens up; in the green season everything turns lush. Visitors often see howler and white-faced monkeys, coatis, lizards and birds such as motmots and trogons. As on any nature tour, sightings depend on the animals and cannot be guaranteed.
What the combo day includes
The combo brings everything you need for the day into one price, so you do not have to arrange driving, tickets or meals on your own:
- Round-trip transportation from Tamarindo
- Entrance tickets
- Bottled water, beers and juices for kids
- Costa Rican lunch (casado): a typical plate with rice, beans, salad, sweet plantain and a main such as chicken, beef or fish
Tips and souvenirs are not included, so carry some cash besides the balance of the tour.
Schedule and travel time
- Pickup: between 6 and 7 am in Tamarindo. We confirm the exact time by WhatsApp after you book.
- Drive: about 1 hour and 45 minutes each way.
- Return: about 6 pm.
That is roughly three and a half hours in the vehicle, so it works best on a day when you have no other plans.
Fitness level and who it suits
A basic level of fitness is enough. Trails are natural and can be dusty, rocky or muddy depending on the season, with some ups and downs. The heat near the volcanic areas and the midday sun are often more tiring than the walking itself, so drink water often.
- Good for: couples and friends who want nature beyond the beach, families with school-age children, and anyone curious about volcanoes.
- Think twice if: someone in your group has limited mobility or does not tolerate long drives. Write to us first and we will recommend the most suitable tour.
The tour asks you to bring water shoes and tennis shoes, plus comfortable clothes, sunglasses, a hat, a camera, repellent and sunblock. Our guide on what to wear on Tamarindo tours has more tips.
Best time of year to go
Demand peaks from December to April, the dry season, when skies are clearer and trails are firm. The green season, roughly May to November, brings lush forest and fewer visitors, with rain more common in the afternoon. See Tamarindo weather and the best time to visit for a month-by-month view.
Price, deposit and booking
- $180 per person, minimum 4 people. Children 3 and under do not pay.
- Deposit of $60 per person, paid online when you book.
- Balance paid in cash, in US dollars or colones, on the day of the tour.
- Pickup in Tamarindo is usually included; farther areas have an extra cost, paid to the driver.
- Cancel at least 24 hours before departure and we refund your deposit.
Rincón de la Vieja or another day trip?
Choose Rincón de la Vieja if you want volcanic landscapes and forest. If you prefer a shorter day with a river hike to a waterfall, read our guide to the La Leona waterfall tour; if wildlife is your priority, the sloths and Llanos de Cortés waterfall day is the one. Our overview of day trips from Tamarindo compares the three.
Ready to go? Book the Rincón de la Vieja Combo Tour with Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey, or compare it with the La Leona Waterfall Tour. If you have questions about your date or group size, write to us on WhatsApp and we will help you plan your day.
Book these tours
Rincón de la Vieja Combo Tour$180 per personSee tour and book →
La Leona Waterfall Tour$160 per personSee tour and book →
Sloths and Llanos de Cortés Waterfall$185 per personSee tour and book →
Frequently asked questions
Do we climb to the crater of Rincón de la Vieja?
No. This is a full day in the volcano area, not a summit climb. You experience the forest and the volcanic landscape at the foot of the volcano, with lunch and transportation included.
How much is the Rincón de la Vieja tour from Tamarindo?
It costs $180 per person, with a $60 deposit per person paid online. The balance is paid in cash, in US dollars or colones, on the day of the tour, and children 3 and under do not pay.
Can two people book the Rincón de la Vieja combo?
The tour requires a minimum of 4 people. If you are a couple or a group of three, write to us on WhatsApp with your date and we will tell you what options there are.
What if it rains on the day of the volcano tour?
Light rain is part of the forest experience, so bring a change of clothes. If the weather makes the tour unsafe, we contact you to offer another date or a refund.
Why does the tour ask for water shoes and tennis shoes?
Tennis shoes give you grip on dirt and rocky trails, and water shoes are useful wherever the day takes you near rivers or wet ground. Having both keeps your feet comfortable all day.
More Tamarindo guides
- Day Trips from Tamarindo: Rincón de la Vieja, La Leona and SlothsCompare three full-day trips from Tamarindo: Rincón de la Vieja volcano, La Leona waterfall and a sloth tour. Prices, hours, what is included and tips.
- Guanacaste Tours from TamarindoGuanacaste tours from Tamarindo: mangroves, dry forest, Rincón de la Vieja volcano, waterfalls, beaches and sea turtles, and which tour reaches each.
- La Leona Waterfall Tour from TamarindoLa Leona waterfall tour from Tamarindo: the river and canyon hike, swimming, difficulty, best season and what the $160 day trip includes. Minimum 4.
- Sloth Tour in Guanacaste: Sloths and Llanos de Cortés WaterfallSloth tour in Guanacaste from Tamarindo: two-toed vs three-toed sloths, how sightings work, the Llanos de Cortés waterfall and the $185 full day.
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