Rincón de la Vieja National Park, Northwestern Costa Rica Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja

This national park was founded in 1973 to protect an important water catchment area. Thirty-two rivers and streams have their sources within the park, which are protected from evaporation by the surrounding forests. The active Rincón de la Vieja Volcano (1,895m/6,216ft) is the main attraction in the park, however there are other high peaks in the same volcanic massif. Santa María Volcano (1,916m/6,284ft) is the highest.The Rincón de la Vieja Volcano was very active in the 1960s, but today's activity is limited to fumaroles, steam vents, and boiling mud pools. Sulphurous springs are also a feature of the volcano. Four life zones are represented in the park, due to the wide range in elevation. As visitors ascend the volcanoes they will notice a variety of habitats including several species of trees and a concentration of Costa Rica's national flower, the purple orchid (Cattleya skinneri).This park features a wide variation of wildlife. There are about 300 species of birds to be seen, including the quetzal, parrots, bellbirds, eagles and woodpeckers. Insects are abundant, and the "croaking" cicada is of particular interest. Mammals such as deer, skunks, tapirs, madillos and many others can be seen as well. Patience and luck may provide a sighting of a large cat such as the jaguar, puma, or ocelot.Within the park are several hiking trails, waterfalls and a swimming hole. Below the summit of the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano is the Jilgueros Lagoon where tapirs are often spotted. Near the ranger station in Santa María are therapeutic sulphurous hot springs. An observation tower is nearby. Many visitors choose to explore the park on horseback. This site is part of the Guanacaste Conservation Area, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.