Published: 27.09.2019
Our journey here took forever again. The road conditions were extremely poor and it kept raining on and off.
Once we arrived here, it was another volcano. Rincón de la Vieja.
We spent the whole day in the park. In total, we walked 20km.
First, we took the long circular hiking trail in the Pailas Sector to see the fumaroles and mud pools. An alternative would have been the path up to the crater of Rincón de la Vieja, but it was closed to visitors due to volcanic activity.
The fumaroles and mud pools in the Pailas Sector are a must-see. Water, steam, and bubbles are everywhere, and it also smells strongly of sulfur. The trail goes through a partially steppe-like dry forest and then continues through the rainforest starting at the Escondidas Waterfall. So, you go through different vegetation zones along the way. Back at the beginning, we had to check in with the ranger. Everything is recorded in the park... who enters, which path they take, and when they return. I informed the ranger that we still wanted to see the waterfall. He told me how tough the path is and asked if we had enough water with us. I just smiled at him. I go jogging for 10km, the first hiking trail was quite easy... so what could possibly come.
Well, I was wrong... it was more like climbing, no trails available... on the way back, it started pouring rain. The paths turned into small rivers and we were soaked to the bone. That's how it was for the last 5km... well, that's how it is in the rainforest 😂 We were completely wet and dirty, but it was fun 😅I immediately fell in love with the accommodation... with the cute little dog. It didn't leave our side, but unfortunately, we had to say goodbye after two days.