Start this five-hour tour with a 45-minute ride on friendly ranch horses through a pretty forest trail to the Las Pailas entrance of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Las Pailas, which means “the cauldrons” in Spanish, spectacularly shows off the awesome power of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, the largest and most active volcano in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Steam and sulfur pour out of the yellow and rust-colored ground at natural fumaroles. Clay and coffee-colored pools boil with hot volcanic water, and smooth gray volcanic mud bubbles and explodes in large pits. It’s an experience like no other volcano in Costa Rica.

The 2.5-mile Rincon de la Vieja National Park on the Las Pailas loop trail goes through dry tropical forest where the best views of the volcano, incredible nature, and volcanic activity can be seen. Riders will cross little rivers and see small waterfalls along the trail. More than 300 bird species live there, along with animals like white-faced howler and spider monkeys, armadillos, collared peccaries, iguanas, snakes, and white-nosed coatis.

The entrance fee to the park is not included in the price. Be sure to bring a camera, long pants, comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a hat. 

Duration: 5 hours