The Hacienda Guachipelin

At the nearby Las Pailas sector of Rincón de la Vieja National Park, you can observe the park's constant volcanic activity. Some of the more interesting sites here include the "Little Volcano," or "El Volcancito," a small, constantly bubbling crater; the "Water Paila," a very active crater filled with water; the "Mud Paila," a crater filled with boiling mud; the "fumaroles," a series of vents spewing vapor and sulphuric gases; and the colorful "Fumarole Pond," a tiny lake lying over numerous vapor and gas vents. The volcanic activity at Rincón de la Vieja volcano is much more spectacular than that at nearby Arenal volcano, despite the fame the latter has earned as a tourist destination. It is also much easier to observe the volcanic activity at Rincón de la Vieja than it is at Arenal. All of this is just a short, easy walk from the hotel. Other attractions include some natural hot springs, set amidst the forest, with small pools of medicinal and soothing naturally heated waters. More adventurous visitors can even climb to the top of the volcano's principal-and still active-crater. The Hacienda's Hot Springs "Mud Pot" at the National Park View of the volcano from the hotel