This National Park is home of the greatest volcano of the Cordillera de Guanacaste, the Rincón de la Vieja, that means “old woman's corner". The volcano has two peaks – Rincón de la Vieja and Santa María - and nine craters. Hike on the Enchanted Forest trail; soak in the hot springs; feel as if you traveled to the Jurassic era and watch the Pilas de Barro (mud pots) where boiling mud explodes in belching bubbles and the superheated mineral-rich pools are tinged with a rainbow of colors; keep walking on to Las Hornillas, vapor geysers that spit up odoriferous steam and gases; watch tapirs drink water at Los Jilgueros Lagoon; and many other sites you'll fall in love with.

Santa Rosa National Park protects large fragments of tropical forest (forest that formerly covered all Guanacaste). This forest is home to a wide variety of wildlife, among mammals the following can be seen: jaguars, pumas, tapirs, deer and peccaries. Among birds, peacocks, magpies, toucans, osprey, etc. Reptiles include the hawksbill, leatherback, olive ridley and green turtles.

Besides this, this park protects an important symbol of the Costa Rican history ... the house of Santa Rosa.

This 19,000-hectare park has seasonally dry forest on limestone outcrops and extensive wetland vegetation bordering the Tempisque River that flows into the Gulf of Nicoya. This oasis form a haven for aquatic birds, more than 300 species of neotropical birds roost or nest here. You might see curassows, anhingas, white ibises, jaribus (world´s largest stork), black-bellied whistling duck and the blue-winged teal. The mammal fauna is equally rich and visible, particularly during the dry season when peccaries, armadillos, jaguarundis, coatis, agoutis, deer, and monkeys are attracted to the water holes and trees full of fruits that feed them.

Its surface covers 18.402.51 hectares of forests and volcanic territory. Within its territory the Tenorio Volcano massif consist of several cones and craters, as well as the Celeste River, a point of great tourist attraction. Is the area of richest biodiversity conservation within the Conservation Area Arenal-Tempisque.

The area protected by the Tenorio Volcano National Park is considered of great natural value. The site has large areas of virgin forest, since human encroachment has been relatively low. This has allowed the conservation of natural habitats vital for the preservation of endangered species such as the agouti, tapir and puma.

Let your mind run wild with the spiraling and twisting formations of the caverns in Barra Honda. Of the 42 known caverns, only 19 have been explored.  Descend 100 feet underground and visit Caverna Terciopelo with rare dripstone formations such as the called the organ. Terciopelo´s three chambers are named for the formations within: Mushroom Hall, Hall of the Caves and Caverna Nicoya.  This last one encloses pre-columbian remains dating back two millennia. Be surprised by a number of rare species, blind salamanders and blind fish have evolved as a result of the complete darkness far below ground. Deeper caves exploration is available for professionals requiring the proper speleology equipment.

Costa Rica not only has its natural wealth, cultural heritage also has great appeal. The colonial era in Costa Rica can be seen today in some parts of the country. We get to know some of these interesting destinations.