Costa Rica has six active volcanoes. One of these, found in the Northwestern corner of the country, is the Rincon de la Vieja (the niche where the Old One lives )Volcano, which is located within Rincon de la Vieja National Park. The dry and cloud forest prevails in the area.

The park is well organized having a very interesting trail system taking you thru smoking fumaroles and hot mud pools. You can walk right through the volcanic activity. Hot mineral springs and mud therapy are common in all the area.The forest itself is a great place to bird watch and observe mammals like the ant eater, raccoons, deer and more .

There is a fascinating legend that explains the origin of the name Rincon de la Vieja. The native princess, Curabanda fell in love with Mixcoac, chief of a neighboring enemy tribe. When her father, Curabande, founded out of the affair, he captured Mixcoac and threw him into the crater of the volcano. Curabanda went to reside on the side of the volcano and gave birth to a child. To allow the child to be with his father, she threw him into the volcano too. For the rest of her life, Curabanda lived near the crater and became a powerful healer. The people referred to her home as "Rincon de le Vieja," meaning "the niche where the Old One lives.