The Hacienda Guachipelin

Flora & Fauna
Rincon De La Vieja Volcano

The area around Hacienda Guachipelin is made up of several distinct and biologically diverse ecosystems rich in flora and fauna.

In the park has been observed 257 bird's species: the calandra, the pavón, the linnet, the oropendula de Montezuma, the swallow, the tucán, the red widow, the hummingbird, the ropopo, the white front parrot and the guaco.

It's easy to spot the iridescent Blue Morpho butterfly at the Las Pailas sector.

The Rincón de la Vieja National Park has a large number of Guaria Morada, Costa Rica's national flower, with it's spectacular purple and white flower.

Some of the mammals are: the wild goat, the saíno, the guatusa, the tolomuco, the armadillo, the sloth of two fingers, the bear, and the congo, white face monkeys. The insects are very abundant, you can notice the beautiful morfo butterflies from which exist 4 species.

Come and check out the fascinating lines of leaf cutter ants, and follow them to their massive nests-they're like nothing you've ever seen before.

The Climate

This is one of the hotter drier areas of Costa Rica, and the whole region around Rincon de la Vieja has more predictable seasons than the rest of Costa Rica. The chance of rain is much less during the dry season from December to April, but the higher you climb, the more likely you are to get wet... any time of the year.

Although it is fairly likely that it will rain on any given day during the rainy season (AKA the green season), it is also fairly likely that it will be a short shower in mid-afternoon. The rainy season which lasts from May until November is also usually interrupted by a two or three week dry spell in late July or August called the veranillo de San Juan (saint Joseph's little summer

Volcanic History

Rincón de la Vieja is one of the active volcanoes in Costa Rica and its last strong eruption period was between 1966 and 1970, when it produced earthquakes, ash clouds and underground noises. Other eruptions, of lower intensity, took place between 1983 and 1984 without causing much alarm among the scarce population located near the place.

For lodging, in this area you can find small hotels, cabins and places to camp that offer basic services to visitors; also there are guided tours offered by park personnel for those interested in getting to know the place.

The biological diversity of this volcano make it very attractive and its scenic beauty has no comparison. Also, some of its magic and mystery catches up with the visitors, leaving in their memories a mark as deep as the crater which silently testifies its strength.