easy
4–5 hours
Suitable for most fitness levels with light walking and shallow river crossings; minimal technical skills required.
Immerse yourself in volcanic warmth and tropical cascades at Hacienda Guachipelin. This self-guided combo offers mineral hot springs, mud treatments, and a swim under a towering waterfall near Liberia, Costa Rica.
Ages 4+ • 5 Hours • Combo Tour!
Experience the natural wonders of Costa Rica with a self-guided tour to the Rio Negro Hot Springs and Oropéndola Waterfall. Relax in mineral-rich thermal pools heated by the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, indulge in volcanic mud treatments, and enjoy a refreshing swim beneath the stunning 25-meter waterfall in a lush tropical setting.
5 Hours
This is a self-guided tour where you can visit the Rio Negro Hot Springs and Mud baths plus the Oropendola Waterfall.
Beautiful and relaxing, the volcanic hot springs at Hacienda Guachipelín bubble up on the Rio Negro, naturally heated by the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano - the largest and most active volcano in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
Surrounded by a dense dry tropical forest, the Río Negro Hot Springs are a beautiful and peaceful place. The crystal clear waters of the river flow near the 10 pools built on the riverbank and filled with thermal waters filled with minerals, naturally heated in the depths of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. You can access pools on both banks of the river thanks to two suspension bridges.
You can use hot volcanic mud, which allows you to have a spa-like treatment on your entire body. When the mud dries, you can wash it in the cold waters of the river before entering the thermal water pools again. We have dressing rooms, bathrooms, and lockers at the entrance of the hot springs. From there, you can walk 350 meters along a beautiful path in the woods until you reach the thermal springs.
Then get ready for a refreshing dip in the La Oropendola Waterfall. It is a small walk along a path of varied terrain that leads to the river. You also walk a small distance inside the river until you reach the waterfall. La Oropendola waterfall, with its impressive 25 meters, falls into a bubbling turquoise pool in the exuberant canyon of the Blanco River, creating an incredible tropical oasis.
The paths and river crossings near Oropendola Waterfall can be slippery and rocky, so water shoes help protect your feet.
You’ll want to soak in the hot springs and swim under the waterfall—having proper swim gear is key to enjoying the experience fully.
The humid tropical forest surrounding the pools and waterfalls is home to mosquitoes—repellent helps keep bites at bay.
This popular self-guided tour benefits from earlier starts to avoid crowds and enjoy peaceful moments at the pools and falls.
Rincon de la Vieja Volcano remains the largest and most active volcano in Guanacaste, profoundly shaping the region’s landscapes and ecosystems over millennia.
Hacienda Guachipelin emphasizes sustainable tourism practices to minimize environmental impact and preserve natural habitats around the hot springs and waterfall.
Protect your feet on slippery rocks and river crossings.
summer specific
Necessary for soaking in the hot springs and swimming beneath the waterfall.
Lightweight and fast-drying towels are ideal for riverside use.
Keeps mosquitoes and other insects away in the humid forest environment.
summer specific