There is a place, north of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano in Guanacaste, where the dry brown rolling plains give way to tall, lush green forest. Suddenly you are… Read more » Continue reading →
There is a place, north of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano in Guanacaste, where the dry brown rolling plains give way to tall, lush green forest. Suddenly you are in an enchanted paradise of gushing waterfalls, sky blue streams, warm thermal springs and bright orchids. This is a place where jaguars, pumas and tapirs roam free. Listen for the call of howler monkeys and the symphony of tropical birdsong with cicadas whirring in tempo. This is Sensoria.
Sensoria is a private nature reserve that provides extraordinary hiking tours through pristine forest to hidden waterfalls and volcanic thermal springs on the northeast side of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park in Guanacaste. The goal of owners G2 Developments is to preserve the untamed beauty of the rainforest, and provide its visitors with a striking, deep reconnection with the Costa Rican jungle, its lush vegetation and its wild, crystal-clear waterfalls. Their philosophy of reconnecting with nature is simple: be immersed in it.
The unique Guanacaste tour is located on the Atlantic slope of the north Pacifics largest active volcano Rincon de la Vieja where frequent rains keep the jungle green and dense. Part of the Guanacaste Conservation Area, the region holds 2.6% of the worlds biodiversity and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Sensorias camera traps have captured on film wild animals like pacas, ocelots, pumas, tapirs and jaguars.
Sensoria is described as being a place that appeals to all of the senses. Their website reads like pure poetry: Blue is Sensorias color. Our smell that of wild orchids and rain evaporating from rainforest soil. Our music is the drumming of many waterfalls, the roaring call of the howler monkeys and the everlasting song of the cicadas. Our touch is the smooth river stone and the warmth of volcanic spring water. Our taste is sweet reconnection with nature.
The three- to four-hour Costa Rica eco-tour takes you hiking through the rainforest to waterfalls and pools where you can swim, like the electric blue Aguilar Waterfall and Pool, the 20-meter-high Buenos Aires Waterfall, La Jícara Waterfall, and the warm thermal spring Dantas Waterfall and Pool.
At Pilón pool a still, crystal-clear thermal pool in the middle of tall forest you will want to soak forever. Enjoy a sense of adventure in the narrow, moss-covered stone walls of Madrigal Canyon that enclose a double waterfall. Along your journey, hopefully you will see some of Costa Ricas famed wildlife. The guided tour includes lunch.
Sensorias tour is available by prior reservation only, to limit the number of visitors at one time on the reserve. You can stay at Sensoria overnight, renting out rustic accommodations at La Casona for private groups between six and 20 persons.
How to get there
Sensoria is located north of Liberia and Rincon de la Vieja Volcano in Guanacaste. You need a 4×4 vehicle to drive there.
Where to stay near Sensoria
An excellent Rincon de la Vieja hotel is Hacienda Guachipelin. Day trips to Sensoria are easy from the hotel, which has 54 comfortable ranch-style rooms, a full restaurant, and an adventure park.
Article by Shannon Farley
Shannon Farley writes English-language blogs and handles social media marketing for Enchanting Costa Rica and Profimercadeo in San Jose, Costa Rica.