Imagine a place where the waters are so intensely blue and the jungle so vast and full of life. That’s Rio Celeste for you. Embarking on the Rio Celeste Waterfall Hike was a decision filled with anticipation and a bit of trepidation about its challenges. However, the experience was nothing short of magical. In this guide, we’ll take you through every step of the journey, from preparing for the hike and what to pack to navigating its length and difficulty. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a curious traveller, this post promises to prepare you for an exhilarating adventure to Costa Rica’s most breathtaking scenery!
Why You Should Visit Rio Celeste
The river itself is enough to make the Rio Celeste hike 100% worthwhile. Rio Celeste, meaning Light Blue River in English, runs in and around Volcan Tenorio National Park. But, in addition to the blue river, the hike also includes a breathtaking waterfall, Blue Lagoon (Laguna Azul), and a lookout point with panoramic views of the rainforest and park. When we visited in May, there were very few people around, which made the hike so magical! Plus, we were able to get some great photos with no one in them (and without having to wait a long time to take a pic)!
One of the reasons we decided to visit Costa Rica was because Madison saw a photo of the Rio Celeste Waterfall and was determined to go there! Then, she found the hotel – Rio Celeste Hideaway – and it was a done deal!
How long does it take to hike Rio Celeste? Is it hard?
The trail within Volcan Tenorio National Park is 3.7mi (6km) long. While it isn’t the most challenging hike, there are some hills, and the ground does get muddy, which can make things quite slippery. This is what we found most challenging about the Rio Celeste Hike; this is also what can slow things down. We’d recommend giving yourselves at least three hours to complete the entire hike.
Alternatively, you can hike just to the waterfall, which is much shorter – only taking around 30 minutes and is about a mile (1.6km) long. It is also in better condition. You will have to use stairs if you wish to go down to the bottom of the waterfall – they are steep and can get slippery, so take your time!
Do you need a guide for the Rio Celeste Hike?
No, you don’t need a guide unless you’d like to learn a lot more about the science, nature, and history of the area! The paths were easy to follow – they are marked well with adequate signage.
Features Along the Rio Celeste Hike
The first stop on the hike is the Rio Celeste waterfall. After you’ve gone down and snapped a few photos, we recommend continuing on the hike (if you have the time and feel physically able to). This portion of the trail will be much less busy, but much muddier!
After the waterfall, you’ll come across a breathtaking lookout point with views of the park and rainforest.
From there, you’ll continue onto the blue lagoon (Laguna Azul) and eventually to the portion of Rio Celeste, where the river turns to the bright blue color!
How Does Rio Celeste Get Its Color?
We aren’t scientists, so we’ll keep things simple. There is a point along the Rio Celeste hike where two rivers meet. The salt in one river, mixing with the other, causes a chemical reaction. The outcome is the bright blue water! If you’re interested in learning more about how Rio Celeste gets its blue colour, this article explains it well!
Can you swim in Rio Celeste?
Unfortunately, you can’t swim within the Volcan Tenorio National Park due to the conservation measures they have in place. We were able to swim in the bright blue water at the hotel we stayed at – Rio Celeste Hideaway! They have a private swimming area, just a short walk from the hotel. We highly recommend staying there if you’re planning on visiting Rio Celeste & Volcan Tenorio National Park!
Rio Celeste Waterfall Parking
We entered Volcan Tenorio Park from Camino al Parque. For us, it was only a couple of minutes from our hotel. We had no issues parking our car – it costs 2000 CRC (~$4 USD).
Hours & Fees
The park itself is open until 4pm; however, you must arrive before 2pm, or else you won’t be able to enter the park. There’s also a limit of 1,000 people who can enter the park each day and 500 people on the trail at one time. Because of this, we recommend going as early as possible!
We went in the late morning in May and didn’t have any issues, but December-April is the busy period, so it is best to arrive around 9am. The park itself opens at 8am.
Please note – the park does close during extreme weather. We recommend keeping an eye on their Facebook page for updates.
What to Bring/Pack for the Hike
- Comfortable, practical footwear – Hiking boots are ideal. Madison made the last-minute decision to change from flip-flops into running shoes. Needless to say, it was a great idea to wear running shoes, but they did get extremely dirty.
- Clothing – As with most activities in Costa Rica, you want to prepare yourself for rain and humidity. We always recommend moisture-wicking clothing.
- Water/Food – There are limited options for food, so bring snacks and, of course, lots of water!
- Camera – Don’t forget your camera! You will undoubtedly want to take some photos here!
Getting There
Great news! Since we visited, they have paved the roads! The drive from Bijagua to the entrance of the Rio Celeste Hike is only about 20 minutes. The road is also paved if you’re coming from La Fortuna!
How far is Rio Celeste from San Jose, La Fortuna, Tamarindo, Liberia & the Arenal Volcano?
| San Jose | 3.5-4 hours | 118 miles (190km) |
| La Fortuna | 1-1.5 hours | 43 miles (70km) |
| Tamarindo | 2.5-3 hours | 100 miles (160km) |
| Liberia | 1-1.5 hours | 56 miles (90km) |
| Arenal Volcano | 1.5-2 hours | 47 miles (75km) |
Why you should visit Rio Celeste + Volcan Tenorio Park!
Reflecting on the Rio Celeste hike, it’s clear that the true beauty of this experience lies not only in the breathtaking scenery but also in the adventure itself. With insights on everything from the trail’s difficulty to essential packing tips, you’re well-prepared to tackle this breathtaking hike! Let the vibrant hues of Rio Celeste inspire you to discover the beauty of Costa Rica!
