Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
2690-1900;
www.borinquenresort.com
; d incl breakfast US$218-373;
Anáhuac Spa 9am-6pm;
)
Splurge. The most luxurious resort in the area features nicely appointed bungalows with
private decks and jaw-dropping mountain views. All the expected adventure tours are on
offer. The hot springs, mud baths and natural saunas are gorgeous and surrounded by
greenery; and a treatment at the elegant Anáhuac Spa - suspended over the steaming
jungle - is the icing on this decadent mud pie.
Information
Each of the two main entrances to the park has its own ranger station, where you sign in
and get free maps. Most visitors enter through
Las Pailas ranger station
( 2661-8139;
www.acguanacaste.ac.cr
; adult/child 6-12yr/child 5yr & under US$10/1/ free; 8am-4pm Tue-Sun,
no entry after 3pm)
on the western flank. Most of the trails begin here. The
Santa María
ranger station
( 2661-8139;
www.acguanacaste.ac.cr
; adult/child US$10/1; 8am-4pm Tue-
Sat)
, to the east, is in the Hacienda Santa María, a 19th-century
rancho
(small house) that
was reputedly once owned by US President Lyndon Johnson. Closest to the sulfurous hot
springs, it has a small public exhibit, an observation tower and a nearby waterfall.
Getting There & Away
The Las Pailas sector is accessible via a good 20km road that begins at a signed turnoff
from the Interamericana, 5km north of Liberia. It's paved for the first part of the drive past
Curubandé. If you're not staying at the Hacienda Guachipelín, you'll have to pay to drive
on its private road, which costs US$1.50 per person and takes you to the park gates. The
Santa María ranger station, to the east, is accessible via a rougher gravel road beginning at
Barrio La Victoria in Liberia. Both roads are passable to regular cars throughout the dry
season, but a 4WD is required during the rainy season and is highly recommended at all
other times (or it will take you twice as long).
There's no public transportation to the park entrances, but a bus travels from Liberia to
Curubandé three times daily in each direction (40 minutes). Any of the lodges can arrange
transport from Liberia to the park for around US$20 to US$30 per person each way (two
or three people minimum). Alternately, you can hire a 4WD taxi from Liberia for about
US$35 to Las Pailas, or US$65 to Santa María, each way.
