Rincón de la Vieja Mountain Lodge

Rincón de la Vieja Mountain Lodge Review

This is the closest you can stay to Las Pailas park entrance, which makes it a good spot for hikers and nature lovers who care more about the natural setting than fancy rooms. Hiking and horse trails lead to a hot sulfuric pool, and farther through the forest, to a blue lake and waterfall, and the volcano's crater deep in the park. The sunny log cabins (room numbers 39 and up), with colorful tiled bathrooms and porches with hammocks, are the best choices. Avoid the rows of connected older rooms (1 to 28), which are dark and gloomy. The low-ceilinged dining room is a little claustrophobic, with mediocre food served buffet-style, but the alfresco bar is lively in the evening, usually filled with small groups of international ecotourist types. The grounds and gardens are beautifully maintained, shaded by giant malinche trees, and there is a tiny dipping pool.