In Costa Rica’s wild northwest, Rincón de la Vieja is a volcanic wonderland where steaming fumaroles, bubbling mud pots, and lush forests collide in a symphony of natural drama. Tucked within the Guanacaste province, this national park is a playground for adventurers and a sanctuary for nature lovers. The star of the show is the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, a massive complex with multiple peaks and craters. While the summit trail is currently closed due to volcanic activity, the park’s Las Pailas sector offers a surreal hike through geothermal marvels—think boiling mud pools, mini geysers, and sulfur vents that hiss like dragons. Despite its raw beauty, Rincón de la Vieja remains refreshingly uncrowded. It’s a place where you can hike through volcanic steam, swim beneath waterfalls, and still feel like you’ve discovered something secret.