Private Pailas Loop Hike and Oropendola Waterfall Day from Avellanas and Junquillal

This private day trip from the Avellanas and Junquillal area takes 10 to 11 hours, including a sightseeing drive of about 2.5 hours each way through countryside and farmland to the Guanacaste volcanic range. The first stop is Las Pailas Ranger Station in Rincon de la Vieja National Park for the 2-mile Pailas loop, where mud pools, fumaroles and other volcanic activity sit among a variety of ecosystems. After a break and snacks, a 15-minute walk leads to Oropendola Waterfall: about 10 minutes down a deep canyon over steps and a hanging bridge, then a platform and a climb down to the pool. Lunch is at a traditional restaurant 30 minutes from the park, and the day ends with a drive back to the hotel. Lunch, the national park entrance and the waterfall entrance are paid separately, while snacks and fruit, liability insurance and optical equipment are included. Difficulty is intermediate, about 4 km with ups and downs. Groups have up to 10 travelers. Bring sun protection, hiking shoes, a reusable water bottle, rain gear from May to December, swimwear, a towel or spare clothes and insect repellent.