Volcanoes and bubbling mud holes (Rincón de la Vieja, 3.5.22)

In Rincón de la Vieja National Park, it's all about geothermal energy, with bubbling mud holes and hot springs everywhere. The smoking main attraction is the active volcano Rincón de la Vieja (1895m). We decide to take the Sendero de las Pailas loop trail east of the ranger station of the same name.

We leave at 8 am sharp, as the heat yesterday was really intense around noon, so it's better to be back early ;)

An older gentleman opens the gate for us at the entrance to the park, where a pig and a calf are frolicking around. He's wearing a fancy Hawaiian shirt and asks for 1 USD from Frank and me. Then he opens the gate.

We continue driving and after a few kilometers we arrive at the Las Pailas ranger station where we pay again and then start the trek. Sebastian is highly motivated and walks the 4km without complaining. And there's plenty to see: several fumaroles (places where smelly sulfur steam comes out of the ground), boiling hot water pools, gurgling mud holes, a small volcano called 'vulcancito', and on the animal side, iguanas, spider monkeys, and some huge pheasants (they somehow looked like ostriches).

We're back at the hotel for lunch. Sebastian and I relax by the pool, while Frank jogs to the 'House Waterfall'. It wasn't much, so I decide to have a Margherita ;).

Tomorrow we'll head to the Dinosaur Park. Let's see...