Miravalles Volcano

My adventure travel in Costa Rica cannot be complete without volcano tours. I love the ocean and the beach, and surfing in Costa Rica is awesome, but a small country with so many volcanoes is really compelling for me.

There’s something about these creatures of Nature that I like, the thrill of being in the top of volcano peak only compares to the thrill of being at the top of an 8 feet wave, each in its own way. That’s why I continued my trip in the Miravalles Volcano, which I recommend you to consider in your next Costa Rica vacation tour.

The Miravalles and its twin volcano, the Tenorio, offer four volcanic peaks surrounded by cloud forests and green mountains, full of hiking trails and adventure. They are located at 35 miles from Liberia, which makes them very accessible. The geographic position of the peaks offers a privileged view of the Nicaragua Lake, the Arenal and the plains at the northeast, where the Caribbean region starts.

Miravalles is the highest peak in the North Pacific area at 6600 feet of height. It is an inactive volcano with geological activity in its cones. You will see water pools, hot spring waters, bubbling mud pots, ancient lava flows of up to one million years, and smoking fumaroles complementing the rich wildlife.

We went to the Las Hornillas volcanic center, a spa in one of the old craters, where we appreciated the activity. We bathed in the colored volcanic mud, and horseback rode thru the countryside to the beautiful waterfalls. Lots of people come to this area in Costa Rica group tours. As you ascend to the top, you will feel the change in temperature, from the hot, dry plain of Guanacaste, to a fresh, spring-like weather.

We also visited the Tenorio volcano, located southwest of the Miravalles, and it’s a similar adventure. We found more thermal waters and trails for hiking and horseback riding. It’s a beautiful place with evergreen ladders, a perfect stop for your Costa Rica birding tour. But the best surprise in our trip to the Tenorio was the Celeste River. I will tell you more about it in the next days.