Rincon de la Vieja National Park
9/24/2009 – 9/25/2009
Rincon de la Vieja National Park is located just 25 kilometers north of Liberia and has two main sectors with ranger stations and visitor services. We first headed for the Las Pailas Sector which offers several trail options ranging from treks to the 6,286 foot summit of the namesake volcano (arrive early in the day if you want to embark on this journey) to waterfall trails and the signature Las Pailas Sendero which highlights the fascinating geochemistry of this region. We opted for this three- kilometer loop through an array of ecotones ranging from dry savanna to moist tropical forest and over the Rio Colorado. This is an extremely well maintained yet natural trail that requires a bit of traversing rocks and the intricate root systems of the Matapalo ficus trees. The highlights of the trail are the various outlets of geothermal energy harnessed within the volcano, including fumeroles, boiling mud pits, and geyser-like expulsions. Las Pailas sector of Rincon de la Veija is well visited and we encountered more hikers on the trails here than anywhere else in Central America.
Matalpo ficus
Las Pailas Trail
Steam from a fumerole
Geochemistry in Rincon de la Veija
Las Pailas sector of the park does not permit camping but the area around the Santa Maria Ranger Station does have a tent area with picnic tables and clean restroom and shower facilities. So, having paid twenty dollars for the two of us to access the park, we figured why not pay four more and be able to spend the night. These two sectors are connected by a 7-kilometer foot trail, which passes through hot springs and dense forest. However, we did not want to leave the van unattended so we made our way along a mountain road, as directed by a park employee, which connects the two ranger stations. The area around Santa Maria was completely devoid of visitors, just a friendly park ranger and some horses were in evidence. We quickly pitched the tent to beat the afternoon rain, which progressed into the evening and overnight rain. After cooking and dining in the shelter of the beach umbrella, we retreated to the dry tent and creatively opened our rainfly and extended our vestibule with the beach umbrella so as to provide a bug and rain free birding shelter within our tent. Rebekah spied our first pair of what we believed to be fiery-billed aracari (Pteroglossus frantziifiery). The biting insects were really dreadful at this campsite but the location was quite lovely and the bright, sunny and breezy morning allowed us to dry all of our gear in short order. We descended from Santa Maria via the direct road to Liberia, which has some canyon-like characteristics but was still passable.
Lush trails at Rincon de la Vieja
Green Vine Snake (Oxybelis fulgidus) – a rare ground sighting – this skinny specimen was close to two meters long
The road to Liberia
Rincon de la Vieja National Park is located just 25 kilometers north of Liberia and has two main sectors with ranger stations and visitor services. We first headed for the Las Pailas Sector which offers several trail options ranging from treks to the 6,286 foot summit of the namesake volcano (arrive early in the day if you want to embark on this journey) to waterfall trails and the signature Las Pailas Sendero which highlights the fascinating geochemistry of this region. We opted for this three- kilometer loop through an array of ecotones ranging from dry savanna to moist tropical forest and over the Rio Colorado. This is an extremely well maintained yet natural trail that requires a bit of traversing rocks and the intricate root systems of the Matapalo ficus trees. The highlights of the trail are the various outlets of geothermal energy harnessed within the volcano, including fumeroles, boiling mud pits, and geyser-like expulsions. Las Pailas sector of Rincon de la Veija is well visited and we encountered more hikers on the trails here than anywhere else in Central America.
Matalpo ficus
Las Pailas Trail
Steam from a fumerole
Geochemistry in Rincon de la Veija
Las Pailas sector of the park does not permit camping but the area around the Santa Maria Ranger Station does have a tent area with picnic tables and clean restroom and shower facilities. So, having paid twenty dollars for the two of us to access the park, we figured why not pay four more and be able to spend the night. These two sectors are connected by a 7-kilometer foot trail, which passes through hot springs and dense forest. However, we did not want to leave the van unattended so we made our way along a mountain road, as directed by a park employee, which connects the two ranger stations. The area around Santa Maria was completely devoid of visitors, just a friendly park ranger and some horses were in evidence. We quickly pitched the tent to beat the afternoon rain, which progressed into the evening and overnight rain. After cooking and dining in the shelter of the beach umbrella, we retreated to the dry tent and creatively opened our rainfly and extended our vestibule with the beach umbrella so as to provide a bug and rain free birding shelter within our tent. Rebekah spied our first pair of what we believed to be fiery-billed aracari (Pteroglossus frantziifiery). The biting insects were really dreadful at this campsite but the location was quite lovely and the bright, sunny and breezy morning allowed us to dry all of our gear in short order. We descended from Santa Maria via the direct road to Liberia, which has some canyon-like characteristics but was still passable.
Lush trails at Rincon de la Vieja
Green Vine Snake (Oxybelis fulgidus) – a rare ground sighting – this skinny specimen was close to two meters long
The road to Liberia
My wife and I continue to marvel at your adventures. Is there a part of Central America you have found you like the best? Is there an area that seems to accept NOB types like us more than other areas?
We leave for Maz in 26 days but will continue to follow your trip.
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Sandie and Mike
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