Visiting Vandara—Photos And Brief (5-Minute Read): Rincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica
Nikki Solano
Last updated on July 11th, 2024 at 08:01 am
Written by Nikki Solano
Nikki is the CEO of Pura Vida! eh? Inc. (Costa Rica Discounts), and the author of the guidebooks Moon Costa Rica (2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 editions) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022 edition) from Moon Travel Guides. Together with her Costa Rican husband, Ricky, she operates the Costa Rica Travel Blog, created the online community DIY Costa Rica, built the Costa Rica Destination Tool, oversees the brand-new (summer 2023) Costa Rica Travel Shop, and designed the Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. Also, Nikki wrote the Costa Rica cover feature for Wanderlust Magazine's sustainability-focused Travel Green List issue, showcased Costa Rica destinations and experiences on Rick Steves' Monday Night Travel show and podcast/radio show, and served as the Costa Rica Destination Editor for Essentialist, a luxury travel brand. Want to show your appreciation for her free article below? Thank Nikki here. ❤️️
The revered Latin American female writer Isabel Allende once advised: “Write what should not be forgotten.” Inspired by the quote’s brevity and the subject matter of lasting significance, the articles in our Memorable Costa Rica series are concise and highlight what we feel are the most memorable aspects of featured Costa Rica experiences. If you don’t want to waste time rereading the repeated facts and long-drawn-out paraphrased summaries that some other Costa Rica resources offer, then the personal briefs in our Memorable Costa Rica series are perfect for you. Use them to discover the unique qualities and unforgettable moments that we believe each Costa Rica experience provides, so you can easily decide which experiences are worth incorporating into your trip, and in only five minutes or less. 👍🏽
Estimated reading time for this article: 4minutes
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The road to Vandara (formerly known as Vandara Hot Springs and Adventures) creeps up the unhurried Guanacaste mountainside (past a stellar viewpoint that takes in a sweeping view of dry forest plains), where tranquil rural communities foreshadow the peaceful, relaxing experience purveyed by the area’s hot springs. As the attraction’s name suggests, there is adventure to be had—a fun zip-lining tour, a back-country horseback riding tour, a wild waterslide ride, and even a figurative cultural journey through sugarcane production—but most rewarding are the inviting hot spring pools. In the no-frills, wonderfully unpretentious, oftentimes unfrequented pools (some of which you’ll need to cross a hanging bridge to access), stress washes away effortlessly. Follow the stone and concrete floors down a gradual slope to enter the pools and soak in the jungle away from distractions, save for the gentle natural serenade of a river and a waterfall. Don’t miss the wooden basin that contains mineral-rich volcanic clay; dip a paintbrush in the “mud” and “bathe” your way to sublime renewal.
Vandara photos
viewpoint on the way to VandaraNikki and Ricky at Vandaraentrance to VandaraJungle setting at Vandarahot springs at Vandarahot springs at Vandarawooden basin containing volcanic clay“mud bath”sugarcane stationchanging roomssouvenir and gift shophanging bridgehanging bridge over a rivera traditional lunch served at VandaraRicky; enjoying lunch at Vandarapath at Vandarahot springs at VandaraRicky; headed to the hot springsbull-powered sugarcane mill at Vandaratraditional oven at Vandarahorseback riding at Vandaraour guide at Vandaranatural river and waterfallkind staff at Vandara
Map of the Vandara
Discounts for Vandara
Our sister site, Pura Vida! eh? Inc., has hundreds of adult, student, and child discounts for Costa Rica day tours, including discounts for passes to Vandara.
For more information about Vandara, including the attraction’s current operations, day passes, and visitor information (hours of operation, location information, etc.), please see the attraction’s website.
Pura vida!
Do you have questions about Vandara, want help deciding whether you should visit Vandara during your trip, or need help incorporating a visit into your vacation? No problem! When you’re ready, make an appointment here to communicate with me (Nikki) privately and we can discuss these and other topics to get your questions answered fast and your Costa Rica trip poised for success. Pura vida, amigos! 🙂
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Summary
Article Name
Visiting Vandara—Photos And Brief (5-Minute Read): Rincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica
Description
We describe the most memorable aspects of Vandara in Rincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica, plus share photos from our visits.
