Hey Canden!

Great questions! We can certainly help. 🙂

To confirm, we are not tour operators, so we won’t be the people leading your selected tours. Whichever property you choose to go with will be the property that provides the tour guide(s). So, if you opt to visit Hacienda Guachipelin, you’ll have a tour guide from Hacienda Guachipelin, and if you opt to visit Vandara, you’ll have a tour guide from Vandara. Also to confirm, you’ll have a tour guide for activities that require a guide, but not for activities that don’t. So, if you opt to participate in a canopy zip-lining adventure or a horseback riding tour, for example, at either Hacienda Guachipelin or Vandara, you’ll have tour guides for these activities because it isn’t possible to go zip-lining or horseback riding without a guide. Both properties also have hot springs you can enjoy. You’re welcome to visit the hot springs at either property without a guide since the activity involves soaking in thermal-water pools and doesn’t require a guide’s assistance or supervision. So, to clarify, for any activities you’re considering experiencing at either Hacienda Guachipelin or Vandara that require a tour guide to run, a tour guide from that property will be provided to you (the cost of the guide is included in the cost of the activity). In contrast, for any activities that don’t require a tour guide to run, one won’t be provided to you.

In regards to the quality of both places, we’ve personally experienced both and enjoyed our visits to each, so I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with either one. There are some similarities across the two properties (both offer a canopy zip-lining tour, a horseback riding tour, hot springs, and a mud bath), but there are some notable differences, too. For one, Hacienda Guachipelin is located very close to the entrance to the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, so if you plan to visit the park, too, you can easily combine that experience with activities at Hacienda Guachipelin on the same day. It’s also worth noting that Hacienda Guachipelin is the larger operation and the property offers more adventure tours, like river tubing and canyoning, which Vandara doesn’t offer. So, if you’re interested in either of these two experiences, you’ll need to visit Hacienda Guachipelin. In contrast, Vandara is less well-known and therefore attracts fewer visitors, so if you’d rather visit a place that feels more off the beaten path, Vandara may be the better choice for your group.

Both properties provide day passes that combine a variety of tours/activities into one full-day experience. For your convenience, here are the links to our adult discounts for both properties’ day passes:

Hacienda Guachipelin’s One-Day Adventure Pass: https://puravidaeh.ca/discounts/one-day-adventure-pass-adult-rincon-de-la-vieja-hacienda-guachipelin/

Vandara’s Full Day Pass: https://puravidaeh.ca/discounts/vandara-full-day-pass-adult-rincon-de-la-vieja-vandara-hot-springs-and-adventures/

Both day passes include a canopy zip-lining tour, a horseback riding tour, access to the property’s own hot springs/mud bath, and lunch. At Hacienda Guachipelin, you’ll also get to experience a river tubing tour. At Vandara, you’ll get to experience a trapiche (sugarcane) tour.

Pura vida! 🙂

Hey Canden!

I hope you had a great weekend!

I just sent you an email with details regarding your group. 🙂

Pura vida!