Today we headed north to the Ricon de la Vieja national park to visit the Oropendola Waterfalls and the Rio Negro Hot Springs.

To access the waterfalls we had to register at Hacienda Guachipelin as it is on their property. The trail to the waterfall was nicely maintained, was mostly flat and bordered by a lush tropical forest that was littered with small purple, yellow and orange flowers and fluttering butterflies. As we approached the waterfalls we had to descend hanging stairs.

The waterfall was beautiful and the turquoise pool was ice cold. Gary was the first in, followed by the rest of us. We stayed and played in the pool for a short while.

From the waterfall we made our way to the Rio Negro Hot Springs. To reach the springs we had to a cross hanging bridge. There were 10 hot springs, ranging in temperatures from 98F – 106F, that we could move between. Kia and I tried the mud bath and then rinsed in the river that flowed along the springs.

Famished from our morning activities we made our way to the Hotel’s restaurant and had a nice Costa Rican themed buffet of rice, beans, chicken and pork followed by a dessert of coconut balls and pineapple cake.

With full bellies we headed for home, a dip in the pool and a relaxing evening.