Costa Rica Area Info: Costa Rica's National Parks

Rincon de la Vieja: Getting There

Rincon de la Vieja landscape

Las Pailas sector is accessible by a decent 20km gravel road beginning at a signed turnoff from the Interamericana 5 km north of Liberia; a private road is needed to reach the park and some of the hotels, and costs US $2 per person.

The Santa Maria ranger station, located on the east side is accessible thru a much rougher road beginning at Barrio Las Victoria in Liberia. Both roads are passable to regular cars in dry season (but it will take you twice as long). I personally recommend a 4WD; a must during the rainy season, and all other times. There’s no public transportation, but most of the lodges can arrange transportation from Liberia for around US $15 per person with a minimum or 2 -3 persons.

More transportation is available from San Jose, most Costa Rica hotels and other tourist travel information spots. Alternately, you can hire a 4WD taxi for about US $25 to Las Pailas, or US $45 to Santa Maria, each way.

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