If you haven’t ever visited the Waterfall Rio Celeste, Costa Rica, you are missing out! Did you know that it is called ‘Light Blue River’ in Spanish? Rio Celeste is Costa Rica’s famous waterfall is known for its remarkable blue waters. It still stands today as one of the have-to-see waterfalls in Costa Rica and all over the world.
Where is Rio Celeste in Costa Rica?
This famous blue river with its magnificent waterfall can be found in the Tenorio Volcano National Park. This park is just outside of Bijagua. You have to enter the park if you want to see this waterfall. Around the waterfall are lush rain forests, hiking trails, exquisite views, and other pools.
There is a story about Rio Celeste
Did you know legend has it that this ‘light blue river’ got its glorious color when God dipped his paintbrush into the river while he was painting the sky? Just imagine!
Scientifically speaking though, the water gets its blue appearance from the meeting of the two rivers. At this convergence, silicon, aluminum and oxygen turn the water blue when the sunlight falls on it. It’s a magnificent optical illusion that lasts for only about 9 miles of the river.
At what times can we see the waterfall?
Remember it is part of a National Park, which is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm. Still, you can’t enter the park if you come later than 2 pm.
You need tickets that you buy online before you can see the waterfall. Get your tickets early if you can. Online, you will be asked your approximate time of arrival at the Park. Look on this website to check prices, etc. – SINAC website. Once you buy your ticket, you can show the details at the park entrance.
Facilities at the park
- If you arrive by car, there is a parking on-site fee. When you park your car, place your ticket so that it is visible through the windshield.
- There aren’t any facilities in the park – Remember to carry water with you. There is only one bathroom at the entrance of the park and the walk is a busy one through the jungle. Keep on the path as there are many reptile species that live in this park, and they don’t want to be disturbed!
- No pets are allowed and no single-use plastic bottles allowed – no swimming allowed either, it is strictly prohibited.
- Parents shouldn’t bring strollers along because it’s a bumpy journey and not an easy trip down to the waterfall with a stroller.
These rules are all to keep the Park naturally beautiful and safe for its inhabitants and for the pleasure of visitors.
Is the Rio Celeste hike easy to walk?
You will find your walk to the waterfall moderate. That’s until you get to the stairs that go down, and you find yourself at the base of the waterfall. There are about 200 steps down. Remember you will come back this way too! Altogether, it’s about 1.5 kilometers to walk from the entrance of the park.
You can continue your walk beyond this waterfall if you so wish to see some other sights
- You will see a viewing site to look over the jungle about 3 miles on from the waterfall. A reward for this more uphill kind of walking will bring you to a blue lagoon called Laguna Azul. It’s about a mile away from the looking out point, and it’s stunning.
- Just about 50 meters from the blue lagoon is the Borbollones – bubbling hot springs. It bubbles like this because of the hot volcanic gases being released.
- Go on further until you come across Tenideros. This is only 400 meters from the bubbling springs. It’s where the two rivers meet.
- The entire trail covers roughly 3.7 miles or 6 kilometers; about 3 hours of walking. Add on extra time if the weather is rainy and muddy. Remember, the start of the hike is the end point.
Is it allowed to swim at Rio Celeste?
Unfortunately no swimming is allowed in the park. Cheer up though! There is a free pool where you can have a dip just a short drive from the park. Click here to find it. You will find a small parking lot next to a bridge. A guard will charge you a few dollars. Take the easy path leading down to the river. Don’t believe people who have told you the water is in the form of a hot spring or warm pools. Far from it! It’s cold water, but you will find it very refreshing after your walk.
Getting to the waterfall
The Tenorio Volcano National Park is easy to access from many places that are close to it. A day trip there is a whole lot of fun, and doesn’t require you to use a 4×4. For instance, from Liberia, it is 54 miles away, from La Fortuna it is an hour away, and from San Jose, it is 221 kilometers away.
Try and get to see the Tenorio Volcano National Park during the dry season – from December to April. The cool, rainy months are usually between August and December, sometimes going into January. The Park is situated between the volcanos of Tenorio and Miravalles. Temperatures usually are between 71 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit or 22-28 Celsius. Quite lovely!
Prepare yourself for the hike
Being quite humid in the area, here are some things to consider bringing:
- Shorts and a T-shirt will do on this hike
- Hiking boots, hiking sandals, or waterproof shoes for hiking
- Mosquito spray
- Rain jacket or a packable poncho
- Camera and a waterproof bag to keep it in
- Refillable water bottle – single-use bottles are not permitted.
- Snacks
- Sunscreen and a hat
Want to extend your stay and book a hotel room?
There aren’t a whole heap of hotels in this area. You will find plenty of cabins, homes and lodges for you to rent. Look on Booking.com. Check these ones out
Rio Celeste Waterfall hike is well worth it
A trip to Costa Rica won’t be the same without a visit to the quintessential Rio Celeste Costa Rica Waterfall. It offers you the exquisite beauty, of forests, mountains, and troupes of monkeys high up in the treetops – it’s a place brimming with life! And when you see the waterfall, you will understand why you could not have given this a miss. Without question, the Rio Celeste Waterfall hike will completely exceed your expectations – its breathtaking beauty is absolutely worth a visit!
