Rio Negro Tubing Adventure The Canyon Tour Waterfalls Canyoning Tour Horseback riding Oropendola Waterfall Las Chorreras Waterfall La Victoria Waterfall Simbiosis: Volcanic Mud Springs & Spa The Red Pond Blanco River Pool Cattle Herding Mountain Bike Rincon de la Vieja National Park

Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin is a truly ecotourism lodge for adventure travel and nature lovers. The hotel is surrounded by lush gardens with native trees, exotic flowers and many types of birds, and it has views to both the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and the Pacific Ocean. Near the reception area, you will find our corrals, where real cowboys and ranch hands begin working in the early hours each day. Also there are many adventure activities that awaits the adventurer that comes to Costa Rica to do different things like horseback riding, canopy tour, tubing tour on the Rio Negro, and trekking among many other attractions.

Natural hot springs, rivers, natural pools, virgin forests, jungle waterfalls, thermal waters, tropical forests with birds, mammals, reptiles, insects; and volcanic mud pots are just some of the many natural attractions tourists can enjoy during a stay at the Hacienda. In the National Park exist countless attractions, more rivers, waterfalls, baby volcano, boiling mud pools, vapor vents, thermal waters, sulfur springs, a volcanic crater and a lake on the mountain summit.

For the adventurer, there are many activities in the lodge like horseback riding, the Canyon canopy tour, Rio Negro Tubing Adventure, bird watching, as well as trekking to the active craters of the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano. Besides these, there are many trails to explore by yourself hiking or mountain biking. At the park, however, access is only allowed on foot. You can even explore the pools and ponds in the rivers and at the base of the waterfalls with a mask and a snorkel. You can see different lava formations and of course, the bubbling swirl of the waterfall.

Together with its strong involvement in ecotourism, Hacienda Guachipelin continues its traditional work of raising cattle and horses. For over 100 years, it has been a working ranch. Originally founded in the 19th century, it covered from the tip of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano to the Pacific Ocean. In 1975, Tomás Batalla Esquivel, a renowned cattle and pure bred Spanish horse breeder acquired the property. In recent years, don Tomás's children have joined their father in his efforts to further the family legacy.

The hacienda borders Las Pailas section of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park. The property comprises 1600 hectares of land, of which 700 hectares are set aside for the conservation of the tropical dry forest; 575 hectares are used as pastureland; and 325 hectares are being reforested with species in danger of extinction. The property is bathed by three rivers, Rio Blanco, Rio Colorado in the middle and Rio Negro at the end of the property. The Hacienda starts at an altitude of 400 meters, reaching up to 800 meters.

We are focused on being a self-sufficient community, which uses energy production methods that are ecologically correct. For example, the water heaters use solar energy and electricity is produced by a water wheel. We are currently working on a methane gas biodigestor to feed the hotel's kitchen.

Tours at Hacienda Guachipelin

1. Rio Negro Tubing Adventure: After a 45 minute horseback ride through the dry forest, we get to the changing rooms, where we can get ready to go tubing. After a short walk, we get to the base of La Victoria Waterfall, to receive a short safety breafing. Then each one gets his own personal round raft, to get his adrenalin pumping as he rides the white water rapids in the Rio Negro, for an hour and a half. Then we go to the changing rooms and get the horses to go back to the lodge.

2. The Canyon Canopy Tour: Tour is a must do. We say this is the best canopy tour in Costa Rica, because we pack together in it, many more things than just the zip lines. Imagine yourself doing Rappeling, Rock Climbing, Canopy, Tarzan Swings, Via Ferrata, Hanging Bridges, all set in the majestic canyon made by the erosion of the Blanco River during millions of years.

3. Waterfalls Canyoning Tour: Sort out the challenges of a small river, like waterfalls, ponds and step walls, descending with ropes in this Canyoneering tour!

4. Horseback riding: Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin is famous for its horseback riding tours. Our huge ranch allows us to use scenic trails instead of taking you on paved roads. You can see a lot of things during a normal trip. We have trips that last from one hour with really easy going horses, for the begginers, to big trips all day long for the more adventurers. Some people even come here to enjoy three consecutive days of horseback riding, visiting different places of the hacienda. And they come back!!!

5. Oropendola Waterfall: A 25 meter high waterfall with emerald-green water. A forest covered canyon surrounds it. It is 3 Km, from the hotel. You can get here either by horseback riding, hiking, or by car and then taking a short walk.

6. Las Chorreras Waterfall: A double waterfall that joins the Blanco River and together they form a natural blue pool. An excellent place to enjoy a dip in the water or just to admire the beauty of the scenery. It is at 1 km. from the hotel.

7. La Victoria Waterfall: It is a place for the adventurous ones. It is accessed through a steep trail. When it reaches the Colorado River, there is a 35 meter high waterfall. The canyon surrounding the area has a different vegetation and depth. It is at 3 km. from the hotel.

8. Simbiosis: Volcanic Mud Springs & Spa

At Simbiosis Spa, in Rincón de La Vieja Volcano and National Park, you will benefit from the mysterious forces and healing energy of Nature.

At this unique spa in Guanacaste you will benefit from the exciting and impressive volcanic activity bathing in its thermal water springs, applying natural mud from the hot boiling ponds and receiving relaxing massages or specialized health treatments from professional therapists in the middle of the jungle, close to a relaxing flowing pristine river.

Hidden in the middle of the forest, you will find the thermal volcanic mud water pools (aprox. 40°C / 104°F) that receive the water directly from its source in a volcanic mud pool and have therapeutic and cosmetic properties, that you will enjoy in this unique place in Costa Rica.

Simbiosis Spa is part of the services offered by Hotel Hacienda Guachipelín and can be enjoyed after our adrenaline charged one day tour "adventure pass".

9. The Red Pond: It is a pond on the Blanco River, which shows a solid rock formation in a red and white color. It is a very interesting lava formation and very close to the hotel.

10. Blanco River Pool: It is a natural pool of transparent water. It is surrounded by forest and rock formations characteristic of this area. It is very close to the hotel, at 600 meters, and is perfect for hiking during the day.

11. Cattle Herding: Live the experience of rounding up cattle and horses with the real "Sabaneros" Guanacaste cowboys, from the pasture to the corral. Hacienda Guachipelin is still a working cattle ranch.

12. Mountain Bike: Enjoy a beautiful ride on single track, good for all levels which takes you through pasture land, gmelina and spiny cedar tree plantations, pristine jungle and different waterfalls to admire and swim. Groups from 10 up to 30 people. Different locations. Reserve with several days in advance.

Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park

This National Park is Always Closed on Mondays

1. Las Pailas: A unique place in Costa Rica. On the trail you can observe steam vents, boiling mud and water, an unmistakable smell and a very diverse vegetation.

2. Thermal Waters: An isolated place, with clear thermal waters, with lots of sulfur and with the perfect temperature.

3. The tip of the crater: A trail with a diversity of life zones. The hike up takes 3.5 hours. The view is astonishing. On clear days you can see the Caribbean Sea, the Nicaragua Lake and, of course, the Pacific Ocean. Also close to the summit are Jilgueros Lagoon and the highest point, the Von Seebach.

4. Seasonal Waterfall, a great waterfall surrounded by forest. The rock formations around it are very special.

5. The Cangreja Waterfall: This is a 40-meter high waterfall which forms a blue pool as it falls.

6. The Escondidas Waterfalls are hidden waterfalls along the trail of the crater top.

The most important attractions at the National Park are Las Pailas, followed by La Cangreja and then the volcano summit. It is the number one place in Guanacaste. Currently, the access road is good for any type of vehicle. It is open year round.

It is important to mention that the area next to the park is under study by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (Costa Rican Electricity Institute). This is to determine the potential for electric generation with geothermic resources. From any point of view, this kind of energy produces the least impact on the natural surroundings.