The waterfall (Catarata Río Celeste)
A stairway of several hundred steps descends to the waterfall and a pool of the typical blue colour. Swimming is not allowed.
Guatuso · Alajuela · Costa Rica
Tenorio Volcano National Park (Río Celeste)
The turquoise Río Celeste and its waterfall, in a rainforest on the slopes of Tenorio Volcano.
- Created in 1995
- About 12,800 ha
- Río Celeste waterfall
- Daytime, early start
- Reservation required
About the park
Tenorio Volcano National Park in the north of Costa Rica is best known for the Río Celeste, a river of an unbelievable sky-blue colour. The colour appears where two clear streams meet at a place called El Teñidero, where the minerals in the water scatter the light in the way a blue sky does.
The classic visit is a walk of about three kilometres in each direction through rainforest, with a suspension bridge, a viewpoint, the waterfall of about 30 m, the blue lagoon and bubbling hot spots. The trail is well marked but can be muddy, so a full day with a guide is a comfortable way to see it.
- The turquoise Río Celeste and its waterfall
- Rainforest trail with a hanging bridge
- Volcanic hot spots and a blue lagoon
- A full-day trip from La Fortuna
Wildlife
ToucansMonkeysTapir and jaguar, rarely seenHummingbirdsButterflies and frogs
What to see on the trail
Laguna Azul and El Teñidero
The blue lagoon and the place where two streams meet and turn the river blue.
Borbollones
A place where gases from the volcano make the water of the river bubble.
Plan your visit
- Opening hours
- The park opens early in the morning and closes in the afternoon. We confirm the hours of the day you want.
- Reservation
- Entrance is booked in advance through the SINAC online system. We handle it for you.
- Entrance
- Paid per person per day according to the SINAC fee schedule, which changes from time to time. We confirm the current price in your quote.
- Water colour
- After heavy rain the river can turn grey-brown and lose its colour for a few days. We cannot guarantee the colour.
- Best time
- The dry season from December to April is best. The trail is muddy in the rainy season.
- What to bring
- Waterproof walking shoes or boots, a rain jacket, insect repellent, a hat and water. Swimming in the river is not allowed.
Rules
- No swimming in the river
- Stay on the marked trail
- Do not touch the water near the volcanic spots
Book your entrance yourself
Entrance tickets to the national parks are sold online through the official SINAC reservation system. Booking your own ticket there is the quickest and cheapest way.
If you book a tour, a stay or an itinerary with us, we can also arrange the reservation for you.
Dates, areas and conditions are approximate and based on published information from SINAC; hours, fees and rules can change. We confirm the current conditions when you book.
Getting there
By road
About 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours from La Fortuna and about 4 hours from San José. The last stretch is on a gravel road.
Transfer
We arrange private transfers and day trips from La Fortuna. Ask us for a quote.
Tours to Río Celeste
Where to stay
Frequently asked questions
Can I swim in the Río Celeste?
No. Swimming in the river is not allowed.
Is the river always blue?
Usually, but after heavy rain it can be cloudy and lose the colour for a few days.
How hard is the trail?
About three kilometres each way on a marked trail with a stairway of several hundred steps; it can be muddy.
Where do I stay?
Most guests go as a day trip from La Fortuna, where we offer Hotel Campos Arenal and Lomas del Volcán.