Rio Celeste is a stunning sight you cannot afford to miss if you plan on visiting Costa Rica anytime soon. From the breathtaking waterfall and blue rivers, the beautiful views of the majestic Tenorio Volcano mountain, to the vast wildlife and evergreen rainforest,. It is the perfect place to hike solo, with friends or family.
Visiting Rio Celeste can be a bit overwhelming for the first time since this little paradise is located in a conservative area with no airports. However, you get there quickly by road trips.
When I visited the park recently with my husband, we flew into Liberia, the closest airport to Rio Celeste and one of the many routes to it, and then took a two-hour and 45-minute road trip there.
To help you find your way regardless of the routes you take, I have put together this article to guide you when you next visit.
To simplify the process, I sectioned this article into three parts. The first part guides you on how to get adequate transportation to Tenorio Volcano National Park; the second gives you detailed information on how to get to Rio Celeste via different routes; and the third is travel tips that will help you get the most out of this beautiful experience.
Key Takeaways from this Article
- The farthest city from Rio Celeste is San Jose.
- The closest city to Rio Celeste is La Fortuna.
- The fastest means of transportation to Rio Celeste from major cities is by road.
- The hassle-free method to get to Rio Celeste is through the booking of Tour Packages.
- The closest town to Rio Celeste is Bijagua.
Best Ways To get To Rio Celeste
Transportation Options
1. By Car
A common way to visit the Rio Celeste from major cities like La Fortuna is by car, which can be rented, or public taxi.
A rented car costs between $40 and $60 a day, while a public taxi goes for $25 per person.
Traveling with public transport is cheaper, and you can easily see cars moving along the roads of major cities like San Jose, Liberia, and La Fortuna that will drive you directly to the entrance of the Tenorio Volcano National Park.
However, I recommend renting a car from car rental services like Adobe Car because of how crazy the locals drive.
It’s common to see most local drivers speed on a narrow road with multiple vehicles, and you don’t want to experience this. The last time I took public transport with my husband, it wasn’t funny; we were so uncomfortable.
2. By Bus
There are no direct bus routes to Rio Celeste. Hence, I would advise you to take a bus from major cities like San Jose, coming to bus terminals closer (like Bijagua) to the park. Then you can take public taxis from there directly to the entrance of Tenorio Volcano National Park.
The estimated travel time from these major cities is two to five hours and would cost roughly $60 to $120 per person. The taxi from Bijagua would cost $25 per person and 40 minutes of estimated travel time to the park.
Here is how to book a bus if you are coming from the following cities:
San Jose: When you arrive at the San Jose airport, find your way to a bus terminal and book directly to Upala. The journey should take roughly three hours, as the bus will stop at different terminals for transfers. Once you get to Upala, you either take another bus or taxi to Bijagua and a taxi from Bijagua to the entrance of the park.
Liberia: Take a bus from Liberia to Upala and follow the same method when you get there, as mentioned above.
La Fortuna: The same applies to this, too—a bus from La Fortuna to Upala and then a taxi from Bijagua to the park.
It’s important to note that the bus schedules vary, with little to no buses on weekends and holidays, so be present on time so you do not miss the bus for the hour you intend to travel.
Also, tickets can be purchased online, at the terminal, or from the bus driver, depending on the transport company.
3. By Shuttle Service
Another way you can get to Rio Celeste from major Costa Rican cities is by hiring a shuttle service. This is nice because it’s convenient and cost-effective, offers private and shared shuttle services, and takes you directly to the entrance of the park with little to no stops on the way.
The amount you pay depends on which service you choose and the distance from major cities to Rio Celeste.
Here are distinct details and differences between these services:
Private Shuttle Service: This is best for family, friends, and colleagues looking for a faster, more convenient, comfortable, and private ride to the park. It is an excellent choice because you get to set your departure time.
You can book this service online from platforms like Costa Rica Shuttle, with prices ranging from $250 to $350 per person, depending on the distance to the park.
The amount can be slightly discounted if the number of people traveling is too large. The estimated travel time is two to five hours, depending on the city.
Shared Shuttle Service: This service is perfect for a solo traveler or friends and family on a budget since it is cost-effective.
Unlike the private shuttle service, you do not have control over setting the departure time as the company has already set it. However, there can be a little flexibility if the need arises.
You can book this service online from platforms like Interbus. Prices range from $60 to $100 per person, depending on the distance to the park.
The estimated travel time is three to six hours due to the numerous stops to pick up and drop off passengers. The city from which you are traveling will be affected at this time.
In general, both services are convenient, and you get to enjoy your travel experience with loved ones that you can constantly relive the moments and memories with.
However, it is essential to look up online reviews from past customers and ensure the pick-up location and time are well communicated and confirmed before booking any of these services.
4. By-Tour Packages
This was how we visited this stunning place, and it’s the best. It takes the stress of planning the trip off your hands, leaving you with a smooth and beautiful experience.
Before traveling, I decided to check out some travel and tour agencies in Costa Rica that offer this tour package. I chose Rio Celeste Aventuras because of the fantastic reviews on their website, and I must say they outdid themselves and gave us the best road trip experience so far.
Now, here are some of the benefits I enjoyed from using Rio Celeste Aventuras’s tour package:
Transportation: A clean, well-air-conditioned car came to pick my husband and me up at our location and at the set time for our trip. The driver was very pious and level-headed, making me feel comfortable.
The transportation covered our to-and-fro movement to the park.
Hotel Reservations: They helped us make reservations on our behalf at a nice hotel, so we did not go through that hassle.
When we arrived at the airport, the tour company had already sent their driver to pick us up from the airport to the hotel where we were to lodge.And I must confess, that experience felt so good.
Entrance Fees: Before we arrived in Costa Rica, the tour company had already paid for our park entrance fee, and they sent us the ticket code to present to the ticket officer at the entrance office.
Tour Guide: They provided a tour guide to guide me and my husband through our tour in the park. This came in handy as it was our first time visiting.
Meals: The tour package included free meals, so all we ate at the cafeteria during the tours was free because Rio Celeste Aventuras had already paid for them.
And all of these cost us just $500. We were blown away by the service and thoughtfulness and would gladly recommend you give it a try.
Detailed Route Options
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 get a bus heading to La Fortuna. When you get there, you alight and take another bus to Upala; once you get there, you take a taxi heading to the next town, Bijagua, and from there, you take a taxi directly to the park’s entrance.
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 kilometres until you reach Bijagua.
Once you get to Bijagua, turn right about 1 kilometre north of Pizza Barrington. 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 ensure to drive in a more substantial car, avoid potholes, and drive carefully on the narrow road.
Travel Tips
1. Road Conditions
Most parts of the roads through the rural areas leading to Rio Celeste are filled with potholes and are very narrow.
I advise driving cautiously to avoid bumping your tyres in those potholes. The narrow road, which can be very steep during the rainy season, may flatten your tire, delay your journey, and cause you to run into an oncoming car.
Also, take caution of the weather and season before visiting Rio Celeste. It is pretty unpredictable.
You can experience multiple weather conditions in an hour’s drive. The weather can be clear this minute, but in 30 minutes, it becomes cloudy, and in an hour, it’s already raining heavily.
So it’s best to visit during the Costa Rican summertime, from December to April, and avoid visiting May through November, which is Costa Rica’s rainy season.
Whatever season you visit, please ensure you go with a spare tyre.
2. Gas Stations
Having enough gas in your vehicle when traveling to Rio Celeste from major Costa Rican cities is essential since you will mostly drive through rural areas and farmlands without gas stations.
Here are some major cities where you can find a gas station to top up while traveling.
San José
Gasolinera Fill N Go
- Address: WRWX+QC9, San José Province, San Rafael de Escazú, Costa Rica
- Hours: Open 24 hours
- Phone: +506 2540 2836
- Google Ratings:4.6 (489)
Liberia
Citgo Gas Station
- Address: 1, Guanacaste Province, Liberia, El Sitio, Costa Rica
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Phone: +506 2666 2911
- Google Ratings: 4.2 (404)
Delta Llano de La Cruz
- Address: 1, Guanacaste Province, Liberia, Llano La Cruz, Costa Rica
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Google Ratings: 4.2 (169)
La Fortuna
Gas station La Fortuna
- Address: 142, Provincia de Alajuela, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Phone: +506 2479 9062
- Google Ratings: 4.4 (361)
Upala
Gasolinera Upala
- Address:VXQ9+M3 1 km al sur del Hospital de Upala, Carretera a Cañas, Provincia de Alajuela, Upala, Barrio Heliconias, Costa Rica
- Opening Hours: 11:30 p.m.
- Phone: +506 2470 0880
Many gas stations in major cities can make you feel relaxed and not topped up. However, when you get to Upala, do not forget to fill up your tank since this is where you will rarely see gas stations available.
3. Rest Stops and Food
You may need to get some rest and food when traveling long distances like this. So, I’ve compiled a list of great restaurants you can stop for rest and food, regardless of the city you are traveling from, before continuing your journey.
From San Jose
Chubascos
- Address: Ruta Nacional 712, Provincia de Alajuela, Alajuela, Costa Rica
- Phone: +506 2482 2280
- Opening Hours: 12
- Instagram:Restaurante Chubascos
- Google Rating:4.4(1,148)
From La Fortuna
La Choza de Laurel
- Address: 350 m Oeste del Parque, Alajuela Province, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
- Opening Hours: 11 a.m.
- Phone: +506 2479 7063
- Google Rating: 4.4 (809)
From Liberia
Café & Macadamia
- Address: Guanacaste Province, Tilarán, Costa Rica
- Opening Hours: 8 am
- Phone: +506 8635 8235 ⋅ +506 8970 6046
- Website
- Google Ratings: 4.5 (2,223)
Moya’s Place
- Address: Guanacaste Province, Nuevo Arenal, Costa Rica
- Opening Hours: 12 p.m.
- Phone: +506 2694 4001
- Website
- Google Ratings:4.7(505)
From Tamarindo
Restaurante Doña Ana
- Address: 969F+V46, Provincia de Guanacaste, Huacas, Costa Rica
- Opening Hours: 8:30 am
- Phone: +506 6450 8022
- Instagram: Dona Ana
- Google Ratings: 5.0(3)
4. Parking
The large parking lot is at the entrance of Tenorio Volcano National Park. It has facilities like a local restaurant, a restroom, a rental store for boots, etc. and a ticket office.
I paid 2000 colones, estimated at $3.50, to park my car at the entrance. They gave me a parking slip, which I placed on my dashboard as proof.
Please ensure to take out valuables from your car and, better yet, properly lock the doors and raise the windows before you go inside the park for your hike.
Although the place is secured and there are parking guards or attendants, it’s best to be safe.
If you’re looking to visit Rio Celeste, be sure to check out The Best Time to Visit Rio Celeste Weather-Wise to make the most of your visit.
Why visit Rio Celeste?
Rio Celeste is a small paradise in itself, stunning. Words alone cannot describe it.
You can stand for hours gazing at the majestic waterfalls and not get tired. Visiting here is very therapeutic. It helps you calm your mind and connect with nature and its beauty, pulling you out of the noise and distractions in the world.
It’s also an excellent place for those seeking adventure and fun. Hiking through the park and spotting various wildlife and green vegetation can provide the adventure you want.
So, if you’ve been looking for a place like this, I’d recommend you visit Rio Celeste today.
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!
