Rincón de la Vieja & Liberia
Liberia was a place we'd go often for shopping, or drive through on our way to visa runs in Nicaragua. In August 2021 we stayed at Aroma de Campo, a shipping-container rental, and went to see the Oro Pendola waterfall and the hot springs.
There's definitely more to do in the area than we got to — we only spent two nights. The couple who own Aroma de Campo were very welcoming and made home-cooked food every night if you wanted it.
Watch Rincón de la Vieja & Liberia
What we'd tell a friend
- Skip Liberia itself — get out to Rincón or further north.
- Visit the surrounding waterfalls, and check out Ponderosa Adventure Park.
- If you're in Liberia, use it to shop (see the spots in the playlist).
Who should come here?
- You need to stock up on groceries for your stay
- You're staying near Rincón and want the nature and hot springs
- You want to visit Ponderosa Adventure Park
- You think Liberia is a destination
- You're heading straight to the beaches
- You don't need to do any shopping
The Dufresnes Verdict
Questions we actually get
Is Rincón de la Vieja / Liberia worth visiting?
Liberia is really a shopping and airport hub, not a destination. Rincón de la Vieja is the draw — waterfalls, hot springs, and nature. We've seen enough of Liberia itself from many visits, but the Rincón area is worth it.
How many days do you need?
Two or three. We only did two nights at Rincón and there was more we didn't get to.
Do you need a car?
Recommended — we drove, and it's the easiest way to reach the waterfalls and hot springs.
Where should you stay?
We stayed at Aroma de Campo, a welcoming shipping-container rental near Rincón with home-cooked meals each night.