Can someone who has been here, done this kindly post some info? I can't seem to find any online and the hotel we are staying during our 2 days at Rincon de la Vieja hotel hasn't clarified. We will be at Hotel Guachipelin in Rincon for 2 days of our trip in Jan. How far is the waterslide from here, can you hike to it, or does hotel provide transportation. Do you need a reservation for it, or basically can you just go at your leisure and pay there to do it. We want to work it in somewhere during the 2 days, but don't know how much time to allow. Also wanted to do the mud baths - resos required for this? I know that this hotel is the closest to the mud pots, so I am assuming we could just walk there, but i have the same questions for both activities. Thanks so much, just can't find answers I need anywhere online or with hotel.
Many thanks in advance for any helpful info.

I would also like the answer to your question...I e-mailed the hotel to see if their "one day adventure" pass included the waterslide. They answered back that it does NOT. I does have:
a.. Hike Las Pailas Trail at Rincon de la Vieja National Park.
b.. Horseback Ride to Chorreras Waterfalls.
c.. Horseback Ride to Oropendola Waterfalls.
d.. Horseback Ride to La Victoria Waterfalls.
e.. Horseback Ride to Rincon de la Vieja National Park.
f.. Horseback Ride to Azufrales Hot Springs at Rincon de la Vieja National
Park.
g.. Horseback Ride to Hot Springs and Volcanic Mud at Hacienda
Guachipelin.
h.. The Canyon Tour (Rock Climbing, Rappel, Canopy, Bridges, Via Ferrata,
Tarzan Swing)
i.. The River Tour (Horseback Ride and Tubbing white water at Rio Negro).
j.. Tour to the Old Sugar Cane Mill (Powered by an ox team)
k.. Tour to the Petroglif and Hot Springs at Las Lilas.
l.. Typical Lunch or Box Lunch.

Can anyone answer the waterslide portion?

Hi Fry69;
I have the same tour info for Guachipelin as you do, and I have been unsuccessful at getting any info from them as to how I can get to the waterslide as well. I did, however, email the tour company that offers the waterslide in their "Mega Combo Tour" (Vargas Tours), and they kindly replied that they do offer the tour, but they (and the waterslide) are about and hour and 45 min. drive from the hotel Guachipelin, and because of this, they don't pick up from Guachipelin. I wanted to see if Guachipelin would offer a horseback ride to the waterslide, since my husband and I want to do it. If they won't, I am trying to find another stable that will. We wanted to get some horsebacking in while in Rincon as well, so sounds like this will be the perfect combination. FYI...Ricardo at Vargas Tours explained to me that the waterslide is the only thing that Hotel Guachipelin does not offer, but they are the closest hotel to the Rincon Park and the hot springs/mud baths (which is why I chose to stay there). Also, this is where they run the Kazam Canyon Tour as well, which is something we really want to do. If I am able to find more info on how to get to the waterslides from Guachipelin, I will email you on this forum. BTW, when are you going to CR?
I'll be there Jan 24 - Feb 4, with our final 2 days in Rincon

A few years ago, we did the MegaCombo with Swiss Travel. I THOUGHT we were at Guachipelin, but sure don't remember it being a long distance from the waterslide. We did a canopy tour, the waterslide, then had a SHORT drive over to the mudbaths location, where we also enjoyed lunch. It was our first trip to Costa Rica, and when we booked this tour, I didn't inquire about the proper names of the zipline tour or the resort where the mudbaths were. I too, would like this clarified, because it is a fascinating area. The waterslide is so much fun and it doesn't get much mention on Fodor's.

Percy, are you out there or have you gone somewhere? Do you remember the location of the waterslide?

Hi shillmac

The location of the waterslide is at Buena Vista.

Their website is www.buenavistacr.com

I am still here shillmac...but leaving on January 14th ( finally)!!

Percy

Percy;
Hey thanks for replying. Unfortunatley, the web address you gave does not work. Do you by any chance remember how far from hotel Guachipelin the water slide was?

Hi michelina01

Not sure how far the waterslide us from your location, because I came in on a different road into Rincon.

But you know it cannot be far,because you are in the area.

Amazing that their website is not functioning !!

Let me know how you make out.
But you can go to Google and just type in
(Buenavista Lodge Rincon de la Vieja Costa Rica) , and you will get there.

Percy

Hey thanks, I had done that, but still can't determine where it is in relation to Guachipelin. I am being told by a tour Co. that they are 1.5 hours apart, which seems odd since both are in Rincon, I didn't realize Rincon Park was that big! Just can't seem to get any clarity. If that is the case, we may have to skip the waterslide, as it would take us too long to get there from Hotel Guachipelin for a short thrill ride, but disappointing b/c we wanted to check it out. Many thanks for your quick and helpful replies!

The 1.5 hours sounds about right.....actually I would have guessed a bit longer. Guachipelin and Buena Vista Lodge are on two entirely different roads off the Inter-American hwy. The waterslide is not inside Rincon de la Vieja Park, nor are either of the lodges.

When you are at Guachipelin you might want to get a ride [or drive yourself] up to the Park entrance and explore a bit on your own- it is a wonderful place.

cheers

Jerry

michelina, well we are getting somewhere on this issue...thanks you guys. I'll be in CR feb 10-19 and will have a car. Staying in Playa Hermosa area. Can the water slide be done on ones own or only through tour?

Trying to get the answer to that myself. For some reason the tour companies and hotels can't answer that. It is, however at the Buena Vista Lodge, as Percy says. Which is at the foot of Rincon, a dfferent area than Guachipelin. I am trying to arrange a horseback ride there via Guachipelin. FYI we are going to C.R. Jan 24-Feb 4. Have a fabulous time! Keep me posted if you get any further info that might help.
Cheers!

michelina01

I can see no reason why you cannot drive up to the Buena Vista Lodge area and go over to where the waterslide is and pay, and slide down.

Same with the canopy ride,if you want to do that.

Jerry is correct in that Guachipelin and Buena Vista are on two different entrances to the Rincon Park , but neither is in the Park itself.

I do not believe that the Buena Vista Lodge advertises that they are in Rincon.

However, because it is so close that people just affiliate the location with being in Rincon la Vieja.

I am sure that the road you are going on will be about 3 miles North on the Inter American Highway to Nicaragua.

The you will make a right hand turn towards the little town of Curubande which is about 7 miles down the road.

From your location at Guachiplein,you will have to double back to get to the Inter- American Highway and then make a right hand turn ....

..go for another 5 miles down the Inter-American Highway and turn Right at the sign that says , "Canas Dulces"....now keep going for another 10 miles and ..

... you will get to the Buena Vista Lodge area...

Bring your swimming suit and tell them you want to go down this "wild" slide ride.!!

Percy

Hey thanks, Percy. What a wonderful help you are!