You can even do so for free just by the bridge 1 km away from the park entrance! Swimming in the waterfall itself (or anywhere in the park) is not allowed for safety and conservation reasons. Other Option: Celeste River Tubing Experience (this is not a tour of the park, but a fun adventure option nearby). Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links. In the rainy season, the trails can get pretty muddy and you might want to wear boots. And this is not only found at the waterfall itself. Locals tell the story of a river turning blue when God dipped his brush in its waters while he was painting the sky. The first half of the drive will be on Route 1, which is the nicest highway in Costa Rica. The property itself has over 860 private acres of land full of walking trails, wildlife, and volcano viewpoints. This way you can better guarantee your one of a kind experience. Opening Times: 8 AM 4 PM (last entry at 2 PM). Rio Celeste is undoubtedly one of the most incredible places in Costa Rica. When theres a big swell in town, big wave surfers from all over the country flock to Dominical. The Enchanting Rio Celeste - Two Weeks in Costa Rica Rio Celeste, Sloth Sanctuary & Llano de Cortez Waterfall This is the Rio Celeste waterfall hike in Tenorio Volcano National Park, Costa Rica. Visit Rio Celeste as part of a 10 Day Costa Rica Itinerary that takes you around the country. A powerful river came crashing 60 feet down from the trees above into a dazzling pool of turquoise blue water. Hike to the impressive Rio Celeste waterfall and then go tubing down the river, stopping along the way to swim and spot wildlife including sloths. Explore the Biodiversity of Tenorio National Park. RIO CELESTE - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) Just because you visit during dry season though, doesnt mean it will always be dry. There is a way! Why only take a shot at spotting some animals during the day? About 0.8 miles in, you come to the junction with signage to go down to the waterfall or continue to the sulfur outlets in the river, where two rivers meet to create the blue Rio Celeste. Last time we were in this area we decided to do a bit of exploring. . Very nice tour and our guide Mario just made it even better! There is a bathroom at the ranger station (the green part of the building). All Rights Reserved. Continue for another 3/4 mile or so to see a few additional sites before reaching the end of the trail. We have visited this national park several times. From the waterfall just continue following the signs pointing you towards the mirador and other points of interest. Alternatively, visit the La Fortuna Waterfall. Hike alongside the sky-blue Rio Celeste - Go Visit Costa Rica These can be quite long days, especially if coming from farther out places. But when it comes to sheer beauty, Rio Celeste could be on top of the list. Once we arrive, we will begin a hike through the dense, lush, tropical rainforest that surrounds the Tenorio National Park. The trail is well-maintained and easy to walk. If you have looking to also take part of the rest of the trail, set aside closer to 3 hours for a visit to the area. To get to the Rio Celeste Waterfalls, you can only follow one trail, around 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) each way. Also, the road to Rio Celeste has recently been fully paved. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Weve answered some of the most popular (and important) questions about visiting below! Prepare for mud during the rainy season: During the months of May through November, be sure to pack rain gear and always wear sturdy hiking boots. For this reason (especially in the busy Spring months), we recommend arriving as early as possible. This goes for both time of year and time of day. The hiking trail starts off at the ranger station (marked Puesto Pilon on the map). What a gorgeous waterfall! the Rio Celeste is a stunning tropical gem whose iconic blue hue has turned it into a popular nature spot. The Beauty of the Rio Celeste Costa rica in Tenorio National Park, Its good to know that you can rent boots if needed, as I love hiking but also love to pack light , It looks stunning! Once past the first section though, things certainly get a bit trickier and muddier. The Rio Celeste waterfall is one of the most enchanting places to visit in Costa Rica. The coloration is formed by the mixing of two not colored effluents: Rio Buenavista and Quebrada Agria. Thank you for sharing . No worries! Looking for more travel information? Definitely one for the list when I get to Costa Rica! From La Fortuna, Rio Celeste is about a 3-hour round trip. If you are looking to be walking distance to entrance of the waterfall, then why not stay at the Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel. After continuing along the trail past the waterfall, you'll come to "Mirador". This can be a great option either if you have a rental car or if you are using Costa Ricas bus network. About Rio Celeste Costa Rica The correct drive from La Fortuna takes about 1.5 hours on nice paved roads. The waters of the Rio Celeste Waterfall are a force to be reckoned with, rivaled only by a handful of other destinations in the world, like the Blue Lagoon or Havasupai. This region is teeming with wildlife. On and off sprinkles wont impact the water color too much, but it will get muddy if there has been a lot of rainfall. I remember how nice it was having coffee in the morning in the jungle, and the windy yet beautiful drive to the falls! You may opt to rent rubber boots if the trails are very muddy. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. On this Rio Celeste Tubing Tour, youll navigate exciting rapids and float through dense, lush rainforest while trying to spot a myriad of local wildlife. Therefore, we observe the characteristic color of the river. This will continue for about 30 minutes until you arrive at the waterfall, also known as Catarata Rio Celeste. The closest major tourist city would be La Fortuna, located around 1 hour 30 minutes from Rio Celeste. If you are staying up near Rio Celeste you will have no problem finding the park entrance by just inputting Rio Celeste into your GPS unit. 84 Comments Set in the mountains in rural northwestern Costa Rica, the Rio Celeste (Blue River) and waterfall is a breathtaking natural wonder that one has to see to believe. You will be able to filter by price, car type, rental company, & more to find the best car rental for your trip. Where to see the sea turtles: The Ostional Wildlife Refuge hosts possibly the largest number of Olive Ridley sea turtles laying their eggs in the entire world. However, its worth mentioning that due to the waterfalls location in the hills, the dry/wet seasons are applied rather loosely, and rain can show up year round. Your email address will not be published. The coordinates are 104257.5N 845914.3W. There is no guide required to visit Rio Celeste. Just as a reminder, you can not swim here. By campfamily50 " A wonder of nature: the blue falls of Rio Celeste " May 2021 Amazing waterfall, unique in the world, blue water forms from the meeting of 2 other clear rivers with solutes that r. If you happen to be a resident of Costa Rica the admission is 800 colones for adults and 500 colones for kids. The drive itself is pretty simple as you are on a couple main roads for the duration of the drive. The whiteness of the stones makes the Rio Celeste look far bluer than your average river! The park is about a 1.5 drive from the Liberia International Airport (100 km) and about a 3.5 hour drive from the San Jose airport (172 km). Your email address will not be published. The town is located just 15 minutes away from the waterfall parking lot. Below is an excerpt from the information board along the Rio Celeste trail that explains the research: The particular color of Rio Celeste appears at the point known as Tenidero. You can raft, hike, spot amazing wildlife and even swim! You can pay colones or US dollars. Again, I highly would recommend continuing onwards if you have it in you. Visiting Rio Celeste is also one of the best things to do when staying in La Fortuna since it is only a 1.5-hour drive away! Pack a rain jacket or heavy duty poncho, and a dry bag to keep you and your things dry. To get to the waterfall, youll take the spur trail heading pointing down and to the left (catarata). An exciting legend gave the Rio its name (Rio Celeste means light blue river). Since they limit the number of visitors per day, expect crowds if you are visiting during December through April, as that is the busiest time of year. Set in the magical landscapes of the Tenorio Volcano National Park, its remarkably blue waters are the stuff of myths and legends. Theres a fantastic range of accommodation in La Fortuna for all budgets, and its a great base to go on day trips (like these). This FREE surf trip packing list contains everything you need for your next surf trip. Rio Celeste Waterfall and Other Mysteries of Tenorio Volcano Here you'll begin the 5-mile hike (approximately 4 hours) through a tropical forest on paved stair pathways. Make sure you also visit the hanging bridges and the largest human-made lake in Costa Rica! The country is justly famous for its glorious scenery and stunning views. to the waterfall. Good to know: This tour doesnt include transport to and from the park. Eventually, you will get to a spot called Mirador on the map. 2023 Gathering Waves - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP, Dominical Surf Guide- Your Ultimate Guide. Follow our travels daily on Instagram together with 300K others. Below are some highly rated tour options to choose from depending on where exactly you may be based: At the entrance of the trail you can find the below map of the area. Cant wait to see it one day! But since they are nocturnal, this tour will provide you with the best opportunity to see tapir! If youre into wildlife spotting, youll get good use out of these! And this is not only found at the waterfall itself. Its a breathtaking, scenic experience that shouldnt be missed on your trip to Costa Rica! Namely, its rich culture, friendly locals, and its plethora of beautiful beaches! This conical beauty towering over the village of La Fortuna definitely deserves a visit. This is going to be more so an issue during high season and during weekends/holidays. You of course can come from various other cities further away. Taking in the mountain or river views and indulging on their chocolate tours are just two of the main draws of this ideal property. Start at the rangers station, following signs for the trail. If youre a nature or adventure enthusiast, visit Tenorio Volcano National Park and make the most of its crater hikes, horseback riding, and epic birdwatching! The 6k hike will take you by hot springs, lagoons and viewpoints. Rio Celeste is just beautiful. Start from the park entrance. $ 110 Full Day Waterfall Hike & Tubing Which has its nascent collaboration in the Tenorio National Park. Although, the rains will make for a very powerful waterfall experience! Should I Stay Near Rio Celeste or Visit as a Day Trip? Below are the driving routes from La Fortuna and Bijagua. They will ask you to put them in your car if they find them. Guide to Rincon de La Vieja Volcanic National Park, Llanos de Cortez Waterfall Visitors Guide. Definitely keep an eye out for wildlife along the hike. The Real Deal: $99.00. Celeste River ( Spanish pronunciation: [seleste]) is a river in Tenorio Volcano National Park of Costa Rica. In this article, we dish out everything youll want to know about visiting one of Costa Ricas most spectacular waterfalls, including how to get there, tips for visiting, where to stay, and things we wish we had known before our visit. Check out the GoPro Hero for your travels. Now that you have all the background necessary for a visit, lets dive into some pictures and helpful information regarding the hike and waterfall itself. Must get to Costa Rica! (The balance of $100.00 per Adult and $84.00 per Child + tax per person to be paid via provided payment link 48 hours prior to departure) This tour departs between 6:30am - 7:30am. Take a look at the Keen Targhee III that I have been wearing recently or these Keen Newport H2 Sandals. Were Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er). Thank you so much for sharing it, I hope to get there one day. Thank you! My dad, my sister, and her boyfriend were driving together. The Hummingbird Cafe (relaxed atmosphere that serves a little of everything), Restaurante La Terraza Bijagua (great place for typical Costa Rican food at a good price point), La Cabaa Lodge (steakhouse and seafood place that is good for a nice dinner), Caf la Semilla (this place is great for a relaxed cafe lunch). You could also go there by yourself but all in all with lunch included, nice talks with the people in our group and the nice swim at the end where there are no other tourists around made the price worth it! Nadine, June 2022.