Absolutely Yes! Rio Celeste is worth visiting. From the majestic waterfalls, the peaceful feel of the striking turquoise-blue rivers, and the evergreen tropical rainforest to the wide variety of wildlife, it is worth traveling from far and near.
However, you may have reservations and opinions about whether it is worth it. My husband and I had the same reservations before visiting.
After watching tons of videos online about this place, I decided we had to see it for ourselves, and I was blown away beyond my imagination by what I saw online.
So, I’ve put up this guide to share what makes a visit to Rio Celeste worth it and why you should plan on visiting anytime soon.
Key Takeaways
- The stunning turquoise water is Rio Celeste’s primary center of attraction.
- The waterfall reaches an estimated height of 90 feet.
- There is a greater variety of plants and wildlife in the park than you could ever imagine.
- The hot springs are formed from gaseous sulfur beneath the Tenorio Volcano.
- The park’s entrance is not free; it costs $12 for a foreigner and 800 colones ($2) for a local.
- Rio Celeste can only be accessed by road. There are no airports in the area.
Unique Features of Rio Celeste
Rio Celeste has many unique features that attract tourists and nature lovers all year round.
Below is a well-detailed explanation of these unique features:
1. Stunning Turquoise Water
The stunning turquoise watercolor is the main attraction for Rio Celeste. It is how the name of this small, beautiful paradise came about.
There are many stories behind the river’s turquoise color. Some locals believe that the rice got its blue color when God dipped his brush into the river after painting the sky.
Scientists believe and have proven that there are some minerals in the water due to volcanic eruptions that mix up together, and the sunlight helps to reflect the turquoise color you see.
If you visit Tenorio Volcano National Park, you will see the change in color of the water from Los Teniderios, a section of the jungle where two rivers meet to form a stunning turquoise color.
2. Rio Celeste Waterfall
The waterfall, towering at an estimated height of 90 feet, is a sight to behold.
The water floods into the pool beneath it, giving a turquoise watercolor that flows through small rocks and a lush tropical rainforest, creating a scenic view of a beautiful paradise.
The waterfall is a natural wonder that left me in awe of its beauty and thunderous sounds when I first saw it.
The Rio Celeste waterfall was so relaxing to watch after walking 20 minutes from the entrance and climbing over 250 steep steps to it.
3. Biodiversity
Walking in the jungle gave me a view of plants and wildlife I never thought existed. The jungle was buzzing with sounds from bugs, critters, birds chirping, reptiles, tapirs, monkeys, and even a sloth.
And the plants were so many, from flowers to very giant trees. It was all so beautiful to see.
This place is perfect for avid nature lovers seeking to explore more.
4. Hot Springs
Another unique feature of Rio Celeste is the Hot Springs, also called the Borbollones. It’s formed due to the gaseous sulfur beneath Tenorio Volcano National Park in the spring.
You can see hot bubbles on the water’s surface, continuing that way all year round.
5. Scenic Views
All around the jungle are well-marked, paved trails that guide you to each unique feature.
The trail leading to the waterfall is a 250-step staircase with wooden railings that allow easy climbing up and down.
The trails lead to the other unique features of the park, either a pathway with well-arranged rocks to climb on, a linking bridge, or bare ground.
Overall, the trails are easy to use and lead to all the park attractions, which offer a beautiful view.
Practical Considerations
Before visiting the Rio Celeste, you need to consider certain factors to ensure a smooth tourist experience.
1. Accessibility
You can access the Rio Celeste by road and through many routes. Here are some routes from major cities in Costa Rica to the waterfall.
From San Jose
From the capital city of San Jose to Rio Celeste, it is about a three- to four-hour drive, depending on your take-off point, traffic, and weather conditions.
So here is a simple and easy guide to finding your way to Rio Celeste if you did not book a tour package for a hassle-free trip.
Head to a bus terminal and take a bus from San José to Ciudad Quesada. When you arrive, take another bus to Guatuso, from where you can take a taxi to Río Celeste.
Or you can take a bus to La Fortuna. When you get there, you alight and take another bus to Upala; once you get there, you take a taxi to the next town, Bijagua, and from there, you take a taxi directly to the park’s entrance.
From Liberia
Getting to Rio Celeste from Liberia is easy if you hire a tour package service from travel and tour agencies like Central American Tours. However, if you choose to drive there yourself, here’s how to arrive at the park from Liberia.
If you are driving from Liberia International Airport, turn left onto the main road towards Liberia on Route 21, and then turn left again onto the Interamerican Highway Route 1 for about 40 kilometers. When you see the signs for Upala, Route 6, exit left off the highway onto it.
Continue driving on this road for another 33 kilometers until you reach Bijagua.
Once you get to Bijagua, turn right about 1 kilometer north of Pizza Barrigon. Continue on this road for about 40 minutes until you reach the park’s entrance.
This trip should take you about two hours from Liberia, depending on the traffic conditions.
Please drive carefully once you leave the highway. The roads are very narrow and steep.
Also, do not get so engrossed in the driving that you forget to enjoy the beautiful landscape views.
From La Fortuna
A new road connects La Fortuna to Tenorio Volcano National Park, making it easy to travel from La Fortuna to Rio Celeste. This route takes about one hour and forty-five minutes on an excellent, paved road through small towns and farmland with scenic views.
To get to Rio Celeste from La Fortuna, head east out of La Fortuna on Route 142 and turn left onto Route 4. Then follow the road signs, whether you are using Google Maps or not, to Upala.
Continue on this route until you reach Bijigua and finally arrive at Tenorio Volcano National Park, where the Rio Celeste is located.
Please drive in a more substantial car, avoid potholes, and drive carefully on the narrow road.
2. Cost
Before traveling to Costa Rica to see the Rio Celeste waterfall, my husband and I made an estimated budget of how much the visit would cost us, and that helped us save a lot of money while enjoying every bit of our stay.
So, I’ve shared some information that will give you an idea of how much to budget when planning your visit:
Transportation: Rio Celeste does not have an airport, so the only means of transportation to the area is by road.
Excluding the budget for flights to and fro the country, transportation by road from major cities would cost you between $50 and $350
Entrance Fee: Entering Tenorio Volcano National Park is not free. You pay an entrance fee of $12 as an adult foreigner, $5 for children, and 800 colones as a local.
And you pay a $4 parking fee if you drive to the waterfall in your car.
To ensure seamless entry, it’s best to pay the entrance fee on the SINAC website before arriving, as there is no internet service in the area.
However, there are always guides at the entrance of the Rio Celeste waterfall that you can hire for a fee.
If you don’t need a tour guide, that’s okay; the trails are well-marked, and you’d be better off on your own.
Food: The price in Rio Celeste is very affordable, ranging from $10 to $40 per serving. I like to say this is estimated, as it can be higher or lower depending on the restaurants you dine at.
Accommodation: This is a vital aspect because various hotels suit different preferences.
However, we did not pay for a hotel when we visited because our tour package already covered that.
When I asked some locals, they said lodging per night costs $50–$200, depending on the hotel.
3. Best Time to Visit
Costa Rica has two main seasons, the dry and rainy seasons, which also affect Rio Celeste.
The dry season starts from December through April, while the rainy season starts from May through November.
To have the best experience, plan your visit to fall between December and July. That is when you will experience the beautiful blue watercolor of the Rio Celeste rivers.
However, the crowd from December to April is large, and accommodation and food are more expensive.
So, if you want an experience with fewer crowds, visit from May to July. Accommodation and food are cheaper then.
4. Facilities
There are not many facilities outside the park. There is only a restroom, a small restaurant to eat good food after the hike, and a spit where you can rent boots if you do not come with any.
If you’re visiting Rio Celeste anytime soon, you may also explore the Rio Celeste Waterfall Guide for essential information.
Wrapping Up
Rio Celeste is indeed worth visiting. Its magnificent turquoise rivers, lush tropical rainforests, various wildlife, and well-marked hiking trails offer a mixture of nature, beauty, calmness, and adventure.
As someone who has visited Rio Celeste frequently for the past ten years, I love how it has been maintained all these years.
It makes every visit feel like a first because of how pristine the environment is.
Truly, Rio Celeste is worth visiting, and I would recommend it any day.
About Michelle Schmidt
Born in California, Michelle traveled extensively through the USA and Europe before moving to South Florida during the pandemic. Her career in Marketing has taken her all across the world. Her favorite country is France but she'll never turn down a beach vacation!
