Miravalles Volcano

Towering 6,653 feet above the northwestern plains, Miravelles volcano is the highest peak in the region of Guanacaste. The air up here is refreshingly cool when compared to the tropical beaches, and adventurous day trips up Miravalles volcano provide a way to escape the coast for the wild, rain-soaked interior. Though technically classified as a dormant volcano, Miravelles still carries enough heat to cause geysers and pockets of steam. Hiking to naturally heated mud baths is a popular visitor activity, and the smell of sulfur hangs in the air like the clouds that cling to the trees. Hiking, horseback riding, and ziplining tours all dot the volcanic slope, and for a dose of authentic rainforest adventure, make the hike to Celeste Waterfall that thunders into a cerulean lagoon in the middle of a tropical rainforest. When you aren’t bathing in natural hot springs or cooling off beneath falls, scan the treetops for colorful signs of dozens of species of birds. Thanks in part to a microclimate that’s caused by the lush volcano, the birdwatching here is some of the best you’ll find in Costa Rica, and whether you’re wobbling your way across suspension bridges or riding tractors to get there, visiting Miravelles volcano is a highlight of touring Guanacaste.

Practical Info

Miravelles volcano is approximately 90 minutes from the Guanacaste coast. Day trips from Tamarindo and Playa del Coco are a popular way to visit, and the nearest town is the town of Bagaces about 30 minutes away. Should you choose to visit, be sure to bring clothes that can get dirty and wet and a sturdy pair of shoes.