Rio Perdido
In a rainforest canyon beside Miravalles Volcano, where hot mineral water rises from under the boulders and meets the cooler Río Blanco, with the lodge's own reserve to explore.
4-starView hotel
Miravalles Volcano
A quiet volcano in northern Guanacaste, with Costa Rica's biggest geothermal fields around it, hot rivers and springs, and far fewer visitors than Arenal. About 1.5 hours from Liberia airport.
- Fly into
- LIR
- Then about 1.5 hours by road
- Best weather
- Dec to May
- Dry season, the clearest views
- The volcano
- 2,028 m
- Asleep since a small steam blast in 1946
- Region
- Guanacaste
- Costa Rica's biggest geothermal fields
- Pairs with
- Tamarindo
- Private transfer, about 2.5 hours
Why go
Hot springs without the crowds
With Arenal and Rincón de la Vieja stealing the show, Miravalles goes mostly unnoticed, and that is its charm. The volcano rises to 2,028 metres, and its only historic eruption was a small steam explosion in 1946. The heat underground feeds Costa Rica's biggest geothermal fields, and with them hot springs and the steaming hydrothermal ground of Las Hornillas on its southwest flank. At Rio Perdido a hot mineral river runs for about a mile through a forested canyon, with natural pools of different temperatures. Fit hikers can climb to the summit, and the Llanos de Cortés waterfall, a short walk down to a pool for swimming, is about half an hour away.
Hot springsWarmed by the volcano
Summit hike2,028 m, for fit hikers
Llanos de CortésA waterfall pool for a swim
Hotels we know personally
3-star and above only, chosen by our team in Costa Rica.
When to go
Driest December to May
December to May is the dry season in Guanacaste and the best chance of clear weather and views of the volcano, so bring sunscreen. If you add the Llanos de Cortés waterfall, go early: it gets busy from around noon.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Dry season, the clearest viewsGreen season, more rainSemana Santa, 21 to 28 March 2027: plan early
About 1.5 hours from Liberia
From Liberia (LIR)about 1.5 hoursPrivate transfer into the Guanacaste countryside
On to Tamarindoabout 2.5 hoursPrivate transfer to the beach
The arearural and secludedWe send clients with a private driver
Where to go next
Where our clients go after Miravalles
Good to know
Miravalles questions we answer every week
How do I get to Miravalles?
About 1.5 hours by private transfer from Liberia airport. The area is rural and secluded, so we send clients with a private driver.
Can I hike Miravalles Volcano?
Yes, if you are up for the challenge. The summit trail starts at a private entrance near the town of Guayabo de Bagaces; leave your details and your expected return time at the entrance before you set off.
Where are the hot springs at Miravalles?
All around the volcano, which sits over Costa Rica's biggest geothermal fields. At Rio Perdido a hot mineral river runs through the property, and nearby hot spring parks include one with water slides for children.
When is the best time to visit Miravalles?
December to May, the dry season, for the best weather and the clearest views of the volcano.
Where can I stay at Miravalles?
We book Rio Perdido, bungalows in a rainforest canyon where a thermal river runs between boulders, with a zip line over the Rio Blanco canyon, river tubing and cliffside yoga pods.
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