Río Celeste and Tenorio Volcano Guided Hike
Hike near the Tenorio Volcano to the crystal clear waters of Río Celeste, a place so impressive you won’t want to leave.
Romance
Hiking
Río Celeste and Tenorio Volcano Guided Hike Overview
This full-day excursion involves a moderate hike for about 3.5 hours. After that, time flies as you wander the secondary rainforest, spotting an array of wildlife in the Tenorio Volcano National Park.
- It’s a seven-kilometer hike that takes place in the tropical rainforest.
- You might search for monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds.
- The sky-blue color of the river is created by a constant flow of minerals from the volcano.
What to Expect from Río Celeste and Tenorio Volcano Guided Hike
You’ve likely seen pictures of Río Celeste and wondered if they are even real. The shade of the water is unbelievable. Local legend has it that God painted the sky and then washed the paintbrushes in the river, turning it into the brilliant blue we see beneath the 98-foot waterfall.
Expect to walk through an area full of inspiring panoramic views of the primary and secondary rain and cloud forests and come across hot springs, geysers, streams, lagoons, and waterfalls along the way to the sacred Río Celeste.
Intensity
High
Río Celeste and Tenorio Volcano Is Featured in These Trips
Here are some of the combo trips we recommend you to check out if you want to experience Río Celeste and Tenorio Volcano:
The Secret of Rio Celeste Blue Waters
Two rivers come together, creating the celestial blue water that gives the waterfall its name. People leave feeling refreshed. Is the color effect on our mood? The result of the volcanic minerals working their magic? It’s a feeling you just have to experience.
The hike is not particularly difficult, but the ground is uneven and frequently changes between cement trails and dirt ones. There are rocks and tree roots to navigate. Additionally, there are about 150 steep steps to climb.
From October to December, it rains a lot more. This can leave the trails muddy and the lagoon less blue. However, it will be blue unless it rains for days in a row; if it rains hard the night before, it should be bright blue again by mid-morning.
Your guides are excellent at listening to animal calls and tracking animal behavior to point out wildlife along the journey. They’ll take you to impressive spots like Los Borbollones, where sulfuric gasses from the volcano bubble through the river’s water. They’ll also introduce you to Laguna Azul, which resembles the magic mermaid lagoon from Peter Pan.
FAQs about Río Celeste and Tenorio Volcano Guided Hike
How long is the hike to Río Celeste?
About an hour and a half each way.
Is Río Celeste worth going to?
A big, massive YES.
Can we swim in Río Celeste?
Unfortunately, swimming is not permitted in the national park, but there is a place to swim nearby just outside the park.
Where is the Río Celeste waterfall?
In the Tenorio Volcano National Park, about halfway between Liberia and Arenal.
Why is Río Celeste so blue?
This has to do with the constant flow of minerals from the volcano to the area.