The name Curubanda comes from an old native tradition. In old times, there were two enemy tribes that lived on the slopes of the volcano. The chief of the tribe named “Curubande” had a daughter named “Curubanda” that learned how to cure with the medical secrets of the volcanic mud, hotsprings and plants of the area.
Curubanda felt in love with Mixoaca, the son of the enemy tribe´s chief. This provoqued the fury of the boy´s father, who ordered to have him murdered and his body thrown to the depths of the volcanos crater.
Curubanda was then pregnant from that relationship. She run to the top of the volcano and when her son was born she threw him to the crater so he could be together with his father. Then she disappeared in the depths of the forest.

For many years, people travelled long distances looking for the healing powers of the then old Curubanda. On their way when someone asked where they were going, the answer was always the same: to the old woman´s corner (el rincon de la vieja).