If you have been looking at day trips from Tamarindo, you have probably seen two adventure combos near Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and wondered why there are two. They share three activities, they take the same full day and they happen in the same corner of Guanacaste. But the way the day feels, and how it ends, is different. This is an honest comparison of both, built only on what each combo includes in our catalog.
What each combo includes
| Cañón de la Vieja combo | Guachipelín combo | |
|---|---|---|
| Canopy (zip-line) | Yes | Yes |
| Horseback riding | Yes | Yes |
| Tubing | Yes | Yes |
| Rafting | Yes | Not included |
| How the day ends | Volcanic mud baths | Natural hot springs |
| Lunch | Included | Not listed: ask us |
| Price | $220 per person | On request |
What they have in common
Both days include the three classics of the area. The canopy takes you from platform to platform above the trees, clipped to steel cables, after a safety briefing. If it is your first time on a zip-line, read zip-lining for the first time in Guanacaste before you go; if you only want the cables and not the full day, we also run a separate canopy tour. The horseback ride is the calm part of the day, at a walking pace through the countryside around the volcano. And the tubing means floating down a river on a large inflatable tube, bouncing through small rapids.
Both happen on the foothills of an active volcano whose crater is closed to visitors, so neither combo includes a visit to the crater. That is not a limitation of the tours; it is how the area works.
The Cañón de la Vieja combo: the most complete day
The Cañón de la Vieja combo is the busiest option: canopy, tubing, rafting, horseback riding and volcanic mud baths, with lunch included, for $220 per person. The extra activity is rafting, which means a group in an inflatable raft paddling together through rapids with a river guide giving commands. It is the most adrenaline you will get from any day trip in our catalog.
The day closes with volcanic mud baths: you cover your skin with warm mineral mud, let it dry and then rinse it off. After several activities, it is a welcome way to slow down.
It suits: active couples, groups of friends, teens who get bored easily and anyone who wants to try rafting during the trip. Keep in mind: five activities in one day is a lot. You will move constantly, get wet more than once and come back tired in the good sense.
The Guachipelín combo: adventure that ends in warm water
The Guachipelín combo has four parts: canopy, horseback riding, tubing and natural hot springs. There is no rafting, so the river part of the day is the tube only, which is easier and does not require paddling as a team. With one activity fewer, the day usually has more breathing room.
The big difference is the ending: natural hot springs, water heated by the volcano, where you can sit and soak. If the image of finishing an active day in warm water appeals to you more than mud, this is your combo. The price is on request because it depends on availability: send us your date and group size and we reply with a quote. Lunch is not listed in the combo, so ask us when you write.
It suits: travelers who want adventure without rafting, groups with someone nervous about rapids, couples who want the day to end relaxed. If hot water is your main reason to go, our guide to hot springs and mud baths near Tamarindo has more ideas.
Three ways to decide quickly
- Do you want rafting? Yes: Cañón de la Vieja. No, or not sure: Guachipelín. Read rafting and tubing near Tamarindo if you are on the fence.
- Mud or hot water to finish? Mud baths: Cañón de la Vieja. Hot springs: Guachipelín.
- Do you need a fixed price today? Cañón de la Vieja is $220 per person with lunch. Guachipelín needs a quick quote.
Still not sure a combo is the right volcano day for you? Compare it with Miravalles and Tenorio in volcano tours from Tamarindo.
What to bring for either combo
- Swimsuit, worn under your clothes from the start.
- A full change of clothes and a towel. You will get wet on the river and muddy or soaked at the end.
- Closed shoes for canopy and horseback riding, and sandals with a back strap for the water.
- Sunscreen and a hat.
- A plastic bag or small dry bag for your phone and the wet clothes on the way back.
- Long hair tied back for the zip-line.
For a longer checklist, see what to bring on a full-day tour in Guanacaste.
Questions to ask before you book
Write these down and send them with your date. We answer all of them before you confirm.
- What is the minimum age for each activity? Canopy, rafting, tubing and horseback riding can have different limits, so ask us with your children’s ages.
- Is there a weight limit for canopy or horses?
- Is pickup from my hotel included, and from where?
- Is lunch included in the Guachipelín combo?
- Can someone in the group skip an activity and wait for the others?
- What happens if it rains hard or the river is too high that day?
Balance the week
A combo day is intense. Plan something gentle for the next morning: the estuary boat tour is two hours of sitting in the shade watching crocodiles and herons, and the kayak tour is calm water with no rapids at all. When you have decided, send your date through the booking page or ask us anything first.
Updated November 10, 2026 · Written with the Conchita Tours guides.
Questions
What is the main difference between the Cañón de la Vieja and Guachipelín combos?
Cañón de la Vieja adds rafting and ends with volcanic mud baths, with lunch included. Guachipelín has no rafting and ends in natural hot springs.
Which combo is better for kids?
It depends on their ages, because each activity has its own minimum age. Send us the ages of your children and we tell you which activities they can do on each combo.
How much do the combos cost?
The Cañón de la Vieja combo is $220 per person with lunch. The Guachipelín combo has price on request, because it depends on availability: send us your date and we reply with a quote.
Do I need experience for rafting or tubing?
No previous experience is usually needed: there is a safety briefing before the river. Tell us about anyone in your group who is nervous around water and we help you choose.
Do the combos visit the crater of Rincón de la Vieja?
No. The crater of this active volcano is closed to visitors. Both combos take place on its foothills.
