Guide to Visiting Rio Celeste, Costa Rica
By Jennifer LaCharite
The Rio Celeste Waterfall is known for its unbelievably blue waters and is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after sights in Costa Rica. The famous blue river and accompanying waterfall is found in the Tenorio Volcano National Park, just outside of Bijagua. Here you will also find lush rainforest, hiking trails, and geothermal pools.
Between the abundant wildlife, ideal weather, beautiful views, and quieter way of life, a trip to Rio Celeste enticed me to move away from the beach and into the nearby town of Bijagua. Watch out! A trip to Rio Celeste, Costa Rica just might make you want to move here, too!
Where is Rio Celeste?
Rio Celeste is located in the Tenorio Volcano National Park, stretching almost 13,000 hectares over the provinces of Guanacaste and Alajuela. While you can visit part of the blue river outside of the national park, you must enter the park to see the Rio Celeste Waterfall.
Looking for more waterfalls in Guanacaste? Check out these 5 unforgettable waterfalls near Playas del Coco!
The Legend of Rio Celeste
Legend has it that the Rio Celeste got its magical blue color when God dipped his paintbrush into the river after painting the sky. Scientifically speaking, the water gets its appearance from the meeting of two rivers, mixing aluminum, silicon, and oxygen that reflects the bright blue color when sunlight hits it. This optical illusion only lasts for about nine miles.
Visiting Tenorio Volcano National Park
Rio Celeste is located within the national park. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your visit.
- Tenorio Volcano National Park is open from 8 am to 4 pm daily. You can not enter the park after 2 pm.
- You must get tickets online before arrival. See below for more details on this.
- Visitors must present their Costa Rican ID or Passport if they have not preregistered online. A photo of your passport ID page is also accepted. I got in with just my memorized ID number.
- There is parking on-site for 2,000 colones ($5). After you give the parking attendant the cash, you must put your ticket in your car visible through the windshield.
- There are no facilities within the park, so mind your water intake! The only bathroom is at the entrance and the hike is along a somewhat busy trail through the jungle. With over 500 reptile species calling the park home, venturing off the trail to pee is not recommended!
- Single-use plastic bottles are not allowed within the Tenorio Volcano National Park.
- No pets are allowed in the park.
- Swimming in the park is strictly prohibited.
- Strollers are technically not permitted on the trails however I did see at least one family attempting the bumpy trails with a stroller and I wouldn’t recommend it. You could not get down to the waterfall with a stroller.
How to Buy Tickets for Rio Celeste
As noted above, you must now buy tickets to enter Tenorio Volcano National Park. You will not get internet service once you are there so it is best to buy the tickets in advance.
I saw volunteers helping people who did not manage to get tickets beforehand so you will likely be alright if you had trouble logging into the website and creating an account. It took me over an hour because the website was sluggish and kept reloading. I recommend you get your tickets the night before, at least.
They will ask you for your approximate time of arrival. Tickets are available on the SINAC website and are $12 USD for non-residents and 800 colones for residents. You can show a screenshot at the park entrance of the code given once you buy your ticket online.
Rio Celeste Waterfall Hike
The hike to the Rio Celeste Waterfall itself is moderate until you reach the staircase to go down to the base of the waterfall. Some stop here and enjoy the view from partway down the staircase, which is about 200 steps down (and back up!).
The Rio Celeste waterfall hike is just under one mile (1.5 kilometers) from the entrance. The first part of the trail is mainly concrete and fairly easy, taking about half an hour. After crossing a bridge, two small creeks (there are rocks to keep your feet dry), and a short but somewhat steep incline, you will reach the entrance to the staircase. The steps are well maintained with a whimsical handrail. You don’t have to go down the entire way to see the waterfall and can take a lovely photo from the staircase itself.
There are other sites to see in the Tenorio National Park if you wish to continue along the trail. The Mirador has a viewing platform that overlooks the jungle, which is .3 miles (550 meters) from the staircase entrance. The trail after the waterfall gets more difficult, however, with rocks and roots going uphill.
If you continue, you can reach Laguna Azul. The blue lagoon is .1 miles (200 meters) from the Mirador and overlooks breathtaking blue water. Just 164 feet (50 meters) from the blue lagoon is the Borbollones, or bubbling thermal springs. This is where the water boils due to the hot volcanic gases being released.
The last stop is the Tenideros, which is where the two rivers meet and create the unbelievable blue hue of Rio Celeste. This is about 1,000 feet (400 meters) past the bubbling springs. You must cross two bridges to reach this special spot.
If you do the entire trail, the Rio Celeste hike is roughly 3.7 miles (6 kilometers). It will take at least three hours to complete (in and out) but likely longer to enjoy some time at all the stops. It will take even longer if it’s rainy and muddy as most of the trails are very natural, meaning you will have to traverse rocks, tree roots, and small streams. You will leave the way you came as there is only one trail in and out.
Can You Swim at Rio Celeste?
There is no swimming allowed within the park. However, there is a free pool where you can dip into the blue waters of Rio Celeste just a short drive from the park. In Google Maps it is called “Rio Celeste Free Pool”. There is a small parking lot beside the bridge with a guard who will charge you a few dollars. They have created an easy path down to the river. You can also park on the other side of the bridge along the road for free but the path down is more difficult.
I have read some online articles that say this is a hot spring or warm pool but this is definitely not the case! The water is very cold and will serve as a refreshing retreat after hiking Rio Celeste.
How to Get to Rio Celeste
Rio Celeste in Tenorio Volcano National Park is very easy to get to from Liberia (and therefore other Guanacaste beach towns like Playas del Coco, Tamarindo, Playa Hermosa, and Flamingo) and La Fortuna. The distance is close enough that it can be a fun day trip. You can also drive there from San Jose but it is a much longer drive and not ideal for a day trip.
The drive will not require a 4×4. Be sure to enter “Tenorio National Park” or “Station El Pilon, Tenorio Volcano National Park” to arrive at the entrance of the park. Download the offline map in Google Maps as you will likely lose reception near the park.
Looking for a car rental for your trip? Find the best prices here.
From Liberia
From Liberia you will drive on Inter American Highway 1, which is a double-lane highway, then take the exit for Upala and turn left onto Highway 6, heading towards Bijagua de Upala. This will take you to the town of Bijagua where you will turn onto a paved mountain road that leads to the park.
At 54 miles (87 kilometers), it will take an hour and 20 minutes to reach the park from the center of Liberia.
From La Fortuna
If you are heading to Rio Celeste and the national park from La Fortuna, you will take Ruta 142 turning left in the town of El Tanque. You then exit onto Highway 4, which will take you through the town of Guatuso before reaching the park. You will not go through Bijagua on this trip.
It will take you an hour and a half to reach Tenorio Volcano National Park from La Fortuna.
From San Jose
Tenorio Volcano National Park, Costa Rica is 131 miles (221 kilometers) from the capital city of San Jose. It will take about four hours to drive, depending on traffic and your exact starting point.
Chasing waterfalls? Llanos de Cortez is another waterfall near Liberia worth visiting!
Best Time to Visit Tenorio Volcano National Park
The easy answer for the best time to visit is during the dry season from December to April, but after living in the area for over half a year I can say it’s not that simple. The coolest and rainiest months so far in the past year have been August and December with some of the cool and damp weather spilling into January. Much of October was sunny and hot, which is the opposite of what you will find on the coast, as it tends to be the rainiest month.
Rio Celeste, Costa Rica is situated in the rainforest and as such it does not follow the dry and rainy seasons like you will find along the coast of Guanacaste. It can rain any day at any time in the rainforest, especially since it is situated between the volcanos of Tenorio and Miravalles. Volcanos tend to produce their own microclimates and the weather rolls down the volcano into the lowlands.
However, the rains here aren’t like the great downpours seen during the green season on the beaches. It can be sunny and sprinkle a little rain at any time of the day as often as it is cloudy and rainy. Temperatures are more moderate here than on the coast as well, sitting between 71 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit (22-28 Celsius) most days and nights.
I would recommend visiting Rio Celeste Costa Rica anytime from January to July and even October and November if you are looking for a spot to visit without monsoon-type rains. Between Two Volcanos on Instagram keeps a fairly regular weather outlook on the area.
What to Pack & Wear for the Rio Celeste Hike
It may not be as hot as the coast, but it is quite humid in the Rio Celeste area. This high humidity can make it feel hot, so warm weather clothes are recommended for the Rio Celeste hike. Shorts and a light T-shirt will suffice. Wear hiking boots, runners you don’t mind getting wet, or waterproof shoes or hiking sandals.
Don’t forget to bring mosquito spray as you’ll be in the jungle after all. I don’t recall getting bit at all during my hike, but it did rain the first time – a lot! Bring your rain jacket or a packable poncho, this way you can keep your backpack dry under the poncho. If you bring a fancy camera, keep it in a waterproof bag.
Bring a refillable water bottle as single-use bottles will not be permitted. This helps avoid the bottles being tossed out along the trail. Bring a snack like a granola bar if you plan to do the entire hike.
Sunscreen and a hat are always recommended if you plan to spend time outdoors in Costa Rica.
Rio Celeste Hotels
There aren’t a lot of hotels in the area per se but there are plenty of lodges, cabins, and homes for rent. Search for Rio Celeste or Bijagua as your location on Booking.com or Airbnb.
- Tenorio Lodge is located near the town of Bijagua and is a quiet retreat that is perfect for couples. It has a restaurant, two hot tubs, and a little trail to a pond with a lookout point on the property. Each private bungalow has an expansive view of the Tenorio Volcano.
- Casa Familia is a log-style cabin just five minutes from the Tenorio Volcano National Park. The pet-friendly two-bedroom, two-bathroom cabin has all the essentials and then some plus a full breakfast. It’s quiet yet conveniently located.
- Rincon Verde features individual little cabins set in a stunning garden with a large pond. The on-site restaurant features Latin cuisine with vegetarian options. With mountain views, it is set in the town of Bijagua for all the conveniences close by.
Restaurants Near Tenorio Volcano National Park
You’ll likely be famished after your hike, so I recommend planning on grabbing lunch or dinner nearby. With a focus on local ingredients and typical Costa Rican food, there are several must-try restaurants in Bijagua and near the Rio Celeste National Park.
- Blue River Brewery serves American-style bar food and its own brews from the mountainside with a killer view of the valley below. I recommend the nachos, fish and chips, and the Morpho blueberry beer. Keep your eyes on the sky – I’ve seen a pair of rainbow toucans fly by more than once!
- Restaurante Tilapias Angel is a great spot for a family meal. They serve seafood and whole fried fish. Everyone will enjoy feeding the fish in the large ponds and picking out their very own fish for lunch!
- Restaurant Tapirus Paradise is a site to behold near the entrance of the Tenorio Volcano National Park. The owner has taken great care to carve a variety of animals out of wood, both big and small. The furniture and the walls themselves are a work of art!
- Hummingbird Café lives up to its name as you’re sure to see at least one hummingbird during your meal here. Featuring locally sourced, organic ingredients, you can’t beat their hamburger with a homemade bun. This restaurant is located on the site of Finca Verde, with lodges, easy to navigate nature trails, and guided tours. Look up on your way in – I’ve seen a sloth here twice on my way into the restaurant!
Other Nearby Things To Do
If you do the hike early in the day, or don’t do the full hike, and want other activities to fill your day, here are some other great activities to do near the Tenorio Volcano National Park.
- Take a dip in the Rio Celeste Free Pool.
- Get lost in the nearby labyrinth at Laberinto Rio Celeste.
- Try to see Costa Rica’s largest land mammal, the danta (tapir) during a night tour at Tapir Valley Nature Reserve.
- Sample locally-made chocolate and see how it’s made at Finca La Amistad Cacao Lodge.
- See a sloth! They are abundant here but best to find with a guide. There are many sloth tours to choose from in the area, but Bijagua Ranas is a popular choice with accessibility options.
Rio Celeste Costa Rica FAQs
It is a moderately difficult hike due to the 200-step staircase and the protruding roots, rocks, streams, and inclines on parts of the paths.
The entire Rio Celeste hike will take between 3 and 4 hours to complete with stops for photos and enjoying the views. If you just wish to see the waterfall, it should only take about an hour.
Rio Celeste Waterfall is extremely unique due to the sky-blue water at its base. Whereas La Fortuna Waterfall is striking due to its size. At an impressive 230 feet (70 meters) plunging into the lush jungle, La Fortuna Waterfall is more than twice the size of Rio Celeste Waterfall but it doesn’t have the stunning blue water.
It only costs $12 for tourists to enter the Rio Celeste National Park.
You do not need a guide to do the Rio Celeste hike. It is an in and out trail with signs sharing info and directions.
There are about 200 steps to get down to the Rio Celeste Waterfall. However, some people stop to enjoy the falls from the staircase and turn back.
So Is Visiting Rio Celeste Worth It?
I think so!
A trip to Rio Celeste will give you the quintessential Costa Rica experience: tropical rain forest, troupes of monkeys in the treetops, and a stunning waterfall…what more can you want? Plus, the sky-blue waters below the Rio Celeste Waterfall will give you the picture-perfect memento from your trip.
I think the Rio Celeste Waterfall hike will exceed your expectations, especially when you see the falls – the water really is that blue! If you are not an avid hiker, your calves will definitely feel those stairs the next day, but it is totally worth it!
