Northwestern Costa Rica - Costa Rica - page 477

HHottttest Sp ols & Mud Potts

Costa Rica's volcano-powered thermal pools and mud pots provide plenty of good, clean
fun for beauty queens and would-be mud wrestlers alike.

t Spotts f s for Th r Therrmal P al Pools & Mud P

On the slopes of Volcán Rincón de la Vieja, Hot Springs Rio Negro has several pools in a
transporting jungle setting.
While some hot spots around Arenal charge outrageous fees to soak in sparkly sur-
rounds, Eco Thermales Hot Springs maintains its sense of elegance by limiting guest
numbers.
Thermal pools, hanging bridges and low-key luxury characterize the thermal canyon ex-
perience at Rio Perdido , near Volcán Miravalles.
The pinnacle of indulgent dirt exists in the remote heights of Rincón de la Vieja at Borin-
quen Mountain Resort & Spa , where, if mineral mud is not your thing, you can opt instead
for a wine or chocolate skin treatment.

Tours
All lodges can arrange a number of tours, including horseback riding (US$25 to US$35),
mountain biking (US$10 to US$30), guided waterfall and hot-spring hikes (US$15 to
US$25), rappelling (US$20 to US$50), rafting and tubing on the lesser-known Río Color-
ado (US$45 to US$60), hanging bridges (US$15 to US$20) and, everyone's favorite cash-
burner, canopy tours (US$50). If you're staying in Liberia, it's possible to organize these
activities in advance either through your hotel or by contacting the lodges directly.

Sleeping & Eating

Note that most of these hotels are a long way from any eateries, so you're stuck with pay-
ing for (usually pricey) meals at your hotel restaurant.

Santa María Sector

Rinconcito Lodge LODGE
( 2200-0074; www.rinconcitolodge.com ; standard s/d US$25/39, superior s/d incl breakfast
US$46/63;

)