cdrcos

We will be spending a week at Playa Famingo in January 2010 and will have a rental car. We would like to go to Rincon de la Vieja NP for a day. Some of our party are 19 yrs. old and will love all the activities available in that area (Canopy tours, tubing, horseback riding, etc.), but some of are party are mobility-impaired and will not be able to do those things.

Are there other things to see and do at Rincon de la Vieja for those folks, any motorized tours to the volcano or thermal sights, sedate river tours, etc. Would any of the lodges in that area provide much of interest (besides lunch) during the time the younger ones are doing the physical activities? Or should they stay in Playa and read a book at the condo?

Any help appreciated? Thanks.

colibri

How about a mud bath and soaking in the thermal pools at Buena Vista Lodge? They also have hanging bridges which they may or may not be able to handle with their mobility issues.

We loved the mud baths and thermal pools, very relaxing. Buena Vista also offers zipline/canopy tour, horseback riding, hiking and a long water slide/tube through the forest for the younger ones.

Pat_Hewitt

Are you going as part of a day tour? The day tours from the Guanacaste beach hotels go to Hacienda Guachipelin. So Buena Vista Lodge is not an option, the tour company won't drive you to another lodge.

But there is a good spa here, and the hot springs are only a five minute drive from the hotel. Check out Guachipelin.com. This is the hotel web site, and gives more complete info on the tours and activities available.

You will then know your options, and can talk to the tour company about what you want to do. You might be able to avoid paying for services or activities you are not going to use.

Here is a blog post about this area: http://truecostarica.com/?cat=93

Hope this helps! Let me know if I can offer any more advice.

Warm Regards,
Pat Hewitt
Travel Professional

cdrcos

Actually, we were planning to drive ourselves to Rincon de la Vieja. How far is Buena Vista Lodge from Hacienda Guachipelin?

Pat, can someone avail themselves of the activities at the 3 lodges you mention even if they are not staying there overnight, at a cost of course?

Thanks for all your help.

Joe

colibri

Joe,

We drove to Buena Vista Lodge and our friends had set up in advance us using the mud baths, the thermal springs and the hanging bridges. We were not staying there, but only day visitors. I don't know how far Buena Vista is from Hacienda G.

cgenster

cdrcos,

They are not far from each other. If I remember correctly you will pass the entrance to Hacienda Guachipelin on the way to Buena Vista Lodge.

My husband and I drove from Potrero, which is very close to Playa Flamingo, to Buena Vista Lodge and it is an easy drive until you turn off to the lodge. The road is very narrow and not in the best conditions. You will meet big tour busses and pray that you don't hit. But if we did it, you can do it.

I don't know about Hacienda Guachipelin, but you can do the activities at Buena Vista without staying there.

cdrcos

Thank you for all the info. Now I can urge our senior traveler to come along our day trip to the Park.