Buena Vista Adventure Park has the longest waterslide in Costa Rica. It’s the longest jungle waterslide in the world. Buena Vista Water Slide is a natural water slide where you must sit on the slide, not on an inflatable. It is a thrilling experience, although helmets are required due to the composition of the waterslide.
We visited the park with our kids as my son had read about the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, which is where the park is. It was an enjoyable visit, as the park had so many other activities. While my kids and husband took several turns on the waterslide, once was enough for me.
Key Takeaways From This Article
Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, where the Buena Vista Adventure Park sits, is the most active volcano in Costa Rica. The park is a 16,000-hectare property full of natural attractions. Here are a few key takeaways about the Buena Vista Water Slide.
- The water slide is 1375 feet long, halfway up a volcano.
- You’ll have to inform the guard how fast or slow you want to go so that they can regulate the water.
- It’s essential to wear a helmet to prevent injuries from the slide’s concrete and volcanic mud surfaces.
- Learn more at Splash Water World and Kalambu Hot Springs Water Park.
Buena Vista Waterslide
The Buena Vista water slide is 420 (1,375 feet) meters long, the longest in Costa Rica. The waterslide is inside the Buena Vista Adventure Park in Rincon de la Vieja Volcano’s Rainforests. The park is also close to Guanacaste National Park.
Apart from being an adventure park, Buena Vista is also a conservation area and a mountain lodge. Interestingly, the park is situated halfway up the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. Buena Vista town is located just 30 minutes from Liberia International Airport.
The fees for the water slide are $25 for kids between 6 and 11 years old and $30 for those over 12 years old and adults. The park offers additional activities for your enjoyment.
| Buena Vista Adventure Park Activities | |
| Hiking Trails | Cultural Experiences |
| Horseback Riding Excursions | Mud Baths |
| Sustainability Tours | Canopy Zip Line Tours |
| Wildlife Observation | Thermal Hot Springs |
| Water slide | |
Unlike other waterslides, where you only have to reach the top and slide down, there is a procedure for using the waterslide.
- When you get to the top of the waterslide, there’s a gate. Before closing the gate, the guard will let you enter the chute and wait for you to sit down.
- Once the water is complete, the guard will open the gate, allowing the water to shoot you down the slide.
- If you want to go faster, the guard has to allow a lot of water to fill up before opening the gate.
- The waterslide has several twists and turns that you’ll go through before reaching a tunnel.
- After the tunnel, your last stop will be a pool at the bottom of the waterslide.
What are the safety measures and regulations?
Buena Vista water slide is U-shaped, but fortunately, it has no hard turns. Like any other waterslide, the Buena Vista has some rules.
- Only kids over six years old can get on the waterslide.
- A person can only go down the waterslide three times in one day.
- Wearing the tube helps you secure yourself on the slide and stay in the chute. You don’t want to fly off the slide as you make a turn!
- You have to wear safety gear and a helmet. Before the ride, the guard will instruct you on the best positions to slow or gain speed.
- Keeping your ankles crossed ensures they don’t hit the sides of the slide as you go down.
Other Water Attractions in Costa Rica
Buena Vista is one of many water attractions in Costa Rica. There are several others scattered throughout the country. Costa Rica has warm weather for the better part of the year. Water activities are prevalent among the locals and visitors.
Splash Water World
The water park is a shared facility between guests at Riu Palace and Riu Guanacaste. It is located at the entrance to the Riu Guanacaste Hotel. Both resorts offer all-inclusive packages; thus, the water park is free for all guests.
It’s so big, with a separate area for adults and another for children. Splash Water World has five slides, each with a different speed. There is an aquaracer slide with four lanes and two body tubes. The vortex is a closed tube that shoots you towards the pool.
The kids have a separate pool with aquatic toys and a variety of water games to play.
Kalambu Hot Springs Water Park
Kalambu Hot Springs is in La Fortuna, on the road between Lake Arenal and La Fortuna. It’s located at the entrance of the Baldi Hot Springs Hotel and Spa. Kalambu Water Park has an enormous main pool with lukewarm water and a zero-gravity entrance suitable for children to swim in any type of weather.
- Triple Slide: Three adjoining body slides, one open and two wholly closed. Only kids over six years old can use the slide.
- Mamut, the Mammoth: For the more adventurous, a gigantic slide (Mamut) is 114 meters long. Only kids over 7 years old and accompanied by an adult can go on the slide. You slide down using a raft that only accommodates 2–4 people at a time.
- Interactive play pool: The children’s section has shallow pools equipped with cannons that shoot water. A big bucket of water discharges water onto the kids as they play. You must accompany your kids if they are under six years old.
The entrance fee for the water park is $20 per adult and $16 for kids. You can pay an extra $8 per person for a full buffet meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to visit Buena Vista del Rincón Adventure Park?
It is safe to visit the park, but you should also ensure that you follow the safety instructions and guidelines provided by the staff. Please wear a helmet and tube to keep yourself safe on the waterslide.
Buena Vista Park has a well-trained staff, and all its equipment meets safety standards.
What is the world’s longest water slide, according to the Guinness World Record?
The longest water slide is at the themed water park on Malaysia’s island of Penang. It is 3675 feet long and takes you down a 230-foot slope. The water slide will take you through a jungle and tree canopy.
Conclusion
We had great fun at one of the longest waterslides in the world. I always recommend the Buena Vista water slide to my friends visiting Costa Rica. My kids loved it so much that I always hear them describing the waterslide as one of their best activities in Costa Rica.
Have you ever visited the Buena Vista water slide, and what was your experience?
About Michelle Schmidt
Born in California, Michelle traveled extensively through the USA and Europe before moving to South Florida during the pandemic. Her career in Marketing has taken her all across the world. Her favorite country is France but she'll never turn down a beach vacation!
