Tours and Activities > Coco and Tamarindo > Rio Celeste Tour with Transportation
Explore the corners of the magical Tenorio Volcano National Park and hike through its lush, tropical rainforests and enjoy views of the jaw-dropping beautiful sky blue river and waterfall: Rio Celeste.
Duration
10 Hours
Transportation
Included
Certified
Tour Guide
Mytanfeet
Customer Service
Description
Discover the beloved Tenorio Volcano National Park, one of the top five most visited national parks in Costa Rica, to see one of the most beautiful places in the country: Rio Celeste.
Rio Celeste is a sky blue river, and in the national park, you can visit the breathtaking waterfall and hike along the river to specific view points, such as the Blue Lagoon, Borbollones and Los Teñidores, the birthplace of the sky blue river.
As a private tour, your group can choose to hike to only the waterfall (1.5 km or .9 miles) and ~400 steps down, or you can choose to hike the entire 7 km (4.34 mile) linear trail.
In order to hike the whole trail, you must be in decent shape and have good stamina. Not recommended for those with infants and babies, those with mobility issues specifically ankle and knee problems, pregnant women or have had recent major surgery.
Starting $120 USD
per adult
Rio Celeste Tour with Transportation Highlights
- Private tour. Go your own pace and have the guide only for your group.
- Choose to hike to only the waterfall or hike the entire ~ 7 km (4.3 miles) trail through the national park.
- Immerse yourself in the protected tropical rainforest.
- Your guide will share interesting facts about Tenorio Volcano, the rainforest, the river including their importance to the local indigenous communities.
- Opportunity to swim in the sky blue river (if conditions are suitable) outside the park after the hike.
What is Included?
Additional Information
- Confirmation will be given upon tour booking, which must be prepaid in full to book.
- The national park is not stroller friendly. All babies and infants must be carried in a carrier by an adult. Must bring the babies own food and equipment.
- Morning pick up time around 7 AM, approximate return is 5 PM.
- **As of April 2026, the full trail down to the waterfall observation platform is closed. You can still see the waterfall, but from the top of the stairs.**
- This area can rain any time of the year and it is humid all year long. Be prepared for sweat, mud, heat, sun, humidity and rain with average day time temperatures in the low 80s° F (27° C) and high humidity.
- The waterfall and river may not be blue during the rainiest months of the year, particularly October through December.
- We will require your passport information in order to purchase national park tickets.
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking clothes. Recommend closed shoes and waterproof if possible.
- Rain jacket.
- Camera.
- Dry bag or waterproof backpack.
- Sunscreen, hat and insect repellent.
- Insulated water bottle. Plastic water bottles are not allowed in the national park.
Booking Form
Our prices are quoted in USD and include all taxes and we never charge booking fees. What you see is exactly what you'll pay. While other websites might show lower initial prices, they often add taxes and fees at the end, Mytanfeet believes in transparent pricing from the start.
If you can't see the booking form below, please try refreshing the page or contact us for assistance.
Cancellation Policy
Read the cancellation policies here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the driving times?
From Coco/Ocotal/Hermosa/Panama/Papagayo, the drive to Tenorio Volcano National Park is approximately 2 hours.
From Tamarindo/Conchal/Flamingo/Pinilla/Grande, the drive to Tenorio Volcano National Park is approximately 3 hours.
From Guanacaste Airport, the drive to Tenorio Volcano National Park is approximately 1.5 hours.
How difficult is the trail if we want to do the whole trail in the national park?
The entire length is approximately 7 kms (4.34 miles). The first mile or so is on a well paved path with one hanging bridge.
The full steps down to the waterfall observation platform is around 400 up and down.
The rest of the trail from the waterfall to the last stop, Los Teñidores is a combination of a dirt/rocky path with tree branches, rocks, small creeks and streams, and steps. You must be in good condition and have good stamina to walk the rest of the trail and cannot have any mobility issues. This section of the trail is NOT wheelchair or stroller friendly.
You can bring walking sticks if you need them but we do not recommend to rest of the national park for anyone with bad ankles and knees, those who have had recent major surgery or severe heart conditions and pregnant women.
It is a linear trail, so you will hike the same trail in and out.
What is the weather like? What should we wear?
It is hot and humid in this area, and it is the rainforest so it can rain even during the tropical dry season (December through April). Be prepared for rain any time of year you visit. It is high humidity with average day time temperatures in mid 70s° to low 80s° F (23-27° C).
You can wear shorts or long hiking pants, tank tops or a tshirt. We just recommend them to be lightweight, breathable and moisture wicking like workout clothes, yoga clothes or bamboo clothing that dries fast. No jeans, heavy hiking boots required.
As for shoes, it is best to have a good sturdy walking, trail running or hiking shoe. No sandals, no flip flops, no loose shoes. You can wear closed toed hiking sandals (like KEEN Newport H2) but please be aware there are a lot of steps, rocks and tree branches if you hike the entire national park.
Can we swim in the river or waterfall?
No. You cannot swim in Rio Celeste when you are inside the national park as it's protected. But outside the national park are some swimming holes and if conditions are suitable and time allows, the guide will take you to the public swimming hole of the river to bathe and swim in the sky blue river.
Will we see any animals?
It's possible but never a guarantee. Some animals you may see are white face or howler monkeys, snakes, toucans and hummingbirds.
When is the best time to see the river with the blue color?
March and April are good times to have the highest chances to see the river at its bluest color. Since this area tends to rain quite a bit, the river may not be blue during the rainier months like October, November and December. The color of the water can turn to a murky brown if it has been raining for a couple days in a row.
Sometimes, even if it's lightly raining, it'll be a blue-green color or blue-grey color so it won't be that brilliant blue, but still blue.
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