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Oropéndola Waterfall (Río Blanco canyon)

Waterfall · Guanacaste

A 25 m (82 ft) waterfall dropping through a rock notch into a deep green-blue pool in the Río Blanco canyon, near the Las Pailas entrance of Rincón de la Vieja. One of the few waterfalls here where you can swim.

Time there
1.5 h
Best time
morning
Kids
5 / 10
View
8 / 10
Crowds
5 / 10
Swimming
9 / 10
Effort
3 / 10
Location
10.77248, -85.35213 — Google Maps
Ratings
4.4 on Google (102) · 4.5 on Tripadvisor (33)

Before you go

Tickets
Better to book ahead
Swimming
Yes
Checked
2026-10

Tip

Entry is handled by Hacienda Guachipelín (on foot, on horseback, or a short drive plus walk); go in the morning before the tour groups.

Be careful

The pool is deep and cold and the rocks are slippery — swim only if you are confident.

Places nearby

  • Hotel Buena Vista del RincónDay Passes & Hot Springs · takes 4 h–9 h · from $75A big ranch-style adventure park on the slopes of Rincón de la Vieja volcano where one day pass covers ziplines, hanging bridges, a record-long jungle waterslide, a horse ride to a waterfall, volcanic mud baths and hot springs, plus a buffet lunch.
  • Hacienda GuachipelínTours & Adventure · takes 1.5 h–8.5 h · from $35A working cattle ranch at the foot of Rincón de la Vieja volcano that packs a week of adventure into one day: horseback with local sabanero guides, whitewater tubing on the Río Negro, a canyon zipline with rappels and a Tarzan swing, then hot springs and a volcanic mud bath.
  • La Leona Waterfall Adventure HikeTours & AdventureLocal Curubandé operator next to La Leona Restaurant that guides the river hike — wading, swimming and rope sections — to the La Leona waterfall in its slot canyon.
  • Soda CurubandéSodas & Local FoodThe one restaurant in the center of Curubandé, the farming village at the foot of Rincón de la Vieja: casados, rice dishes and bocas, cooked the traditional way.
  • Vida Aventura Nature Park (Vida Aventura Ranch)Tours & AdventureA ranch a few minutes from Rincón de la Vieja National Park offering horseback rides over open hills, canopy and bike trails, with a pool and restaurant.
  • Rincon Thermals & AdventuresTours & Adventure · from $50Big activity park on the slopes of Rincón de la Vieja that mixes hot-spring pools and mud with zipline, horses and a jungle waterslide.

Sources: OpenStreetMap node/9290554775 · https://www.guachipelin.com/blog/green-season-is-time-for-waterfalls-at-rincon-de-la-vieja · https://es.visitcostarica.com/blog · https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/9290554775