Aguacate Mountains Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

The Aguacate Mountains are a chain of volcanic hills and ranges that stretches from Cañas, Guanacaste to San Pablo de Turrubares, San José province. Rich in gold, the region played a key role in the country’s mining economy during the late 19th and much of the 20th century.

The range features numerous ancient volcanic cones, domes, and relics, beginning in the northwest and extending southeast. Many formations are visible from the Inter-American Highway, with isolated cone-shaped hills that resemble small volcanoes.

• Pan de Azúcar (260 m) & Palmira (228 m) – Near Cañas, volcanic relics.
• San José (1,052 m) – South of Tilarán, ancient volcanic cone.
• Tilarán (634 m) – Volcanic remains southeast of Tilarán city.
• Pelado (660 m) & Delicias (680 m) – Cone-shaped hills near Cañas.
• Frío (1,222 m) & San Pedro (1,299 m) – Covered with ash from Arenal Volcano.
• Mount Marsella, Pelados (460 m) & Herrera (539 m) – Near Abangares and Barranca.
• San Miguel (414 m) – Volcanic dome with steep slopes near Barranca.

This subregion spans the distance between Atenas and Orotina, home to several ancient volcanic hills:

• Pelón de San Mateo (882 m)
• Mondongo (1,020 m)
• Tinajita (925 m)

• Macho Chingo (780 m) & Pelón Hill – Volcanic relics with scenic views.

• Alto del Monte, Estanquillos – Offer spectacular views of the Central Valley and Pacific Coast.
• Cajón River & Los Ángeles Waterfall – Originating in nearby valleys.

The city of Palmares sits in a circular volcanic caldera, surrounded by:

• Hornos (1,278 m)
• San Isidro (1,259 m)
• Espíritu Santo (1,363 m) – A weathered lava volcano with panoramic views of the Central Valley.

The range ends with striking volcanic peaks:

• El Tablazo (1,120 m) – Near Santiago de Puriscal.
• La Roca (2,258 m) & Trinidad (2,056 m) – The highest points of the Aguacate Mountains, located northeast of San Pablo de Turrubares.

These peaks are composed of volcanic rocks linked to an extinct volcanic center.

The closest airport is San Jose (SJO). However, these mountains run southeast of the Liberia International Airport (LIR) and west of the San Jose International Airport.

• Mea Culpa Restaurant (3 km south of Berlin de San Ramon), ☏ +506-8924-5334, [email protected]. Italian restaurant and wood-fired pizzeria. Exceptional view of the Gulf of Nicoya, with hiking trails and paths for restaurant patrons. (updated Apr 2025)

• Vista Mundo Retreat Center (Vista Mundo Centrar), 1 km south of Berlin School (Pass the church in Berlin and turn left; at the bottom of the hill, cross the bridge and go 200 m, then look for the sign), ☏ +506 8752 3999, [email protected]. Check-in: 3 PM, check-out: 11 AM. Specializing in bird watching. (updated Apr 2025)