Tenorio Volcano National Park

Коста Рика

Located in the northern lowlands of the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica,is known for Tenorio Volcano, natural hot springs, hiking trails, wildlife, and most notably, Rio Celeste Waterfall.

Tenorio Volcano National Park is located about 40 minutes east of the small town of Bijagua de Upala. It’s conveniently located about halfway between the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia and the popular destination of La Fortuna, so it can be an excellent detour if cruising along that rout.

Alternatively, it can be reached by a hour and a half drive northwest from La Fortuna.

On this 3-hour guided exploration, you’ll discover why Rio Celeste and Tenorio National Park are world-renowned hotspots for biodiversity in Costa Rica.

The scenic Tenorio Volcano, which stands 6,287 feet (1,916 m) tall, is considered dormant, yet it still creates a very life-giving ecosystem. The surrounding terrain is dotted with geothermal activity in the form of thermal hot springs and geysers. This cinder cone volcano boasts a lake-filled crater, and luscious virgin forests which are home to tapirs, large felines, amphibians, and numerous birds.

So what is there to do in a volcanic region once you’ve seen its main attraction? Turns out, a lot!

One of the region’s special treats is the mystical Rio Celeste (translated from spanish as ‘Celeste River’). This fascinating river has a unique, strange blue hue — some have described it as turquoise, others sapphire mixed with aquamarine. Whatever specific shade you think the river is, one thing is for sure — it is incomparably blue! Rio celeste gets its unique color from a chemical reaction which is a byproduct of Tenorio Volcano’s sulfur and calcium carbonates. As if this isn’t enough, you can hike to the beautiful Bijagua Waterfall which gracefully flows into the azure pool below.

Other exciting activities include:

• Hiking with a naturalist guide is a wonderful way to learn about the local flora and fauna.
• If you’re a morning person, a birdwatching expedition will allow you to spot a variety of species in one location, due to forest micro-climates.
• Suspension bridge tours allow you to explore the forest canopy on a level usual reserved for researchers; not only can you see the local wildlife on their home turf, but some of the more curious residents may end up sharing the bridge with you!
• Prefer to stay on the ground? A horseback ride is a fun way to explore the landscape. Although you’ll be going at a leisurely pace, you can still cover more territory, which means more amazinb views!

Tenorio National Park is part of the Tenorio Volcano and Miravalles Protected Zone, which includes a second dormant peak, Miravalles, to the west. At 6,653 feet (2,023 m), Miravalles is the tallest peak in the Guanacaste region. Remember how we said earlier that even dormant volcanoes can still be life-giving? Well, Miravalles still produces enough heat to supply the local power plant with energy. Just another example of why Costa Rica is a leader in sustainability.

Adventure and excitement are waiting for you out in the wild. Be sure to add the Tenorio Volcano Area to your travel itinerary today!

Only a 5 minute drive from Hideaway Río Celeste, Tenorio National Park offers outstanding hiking trails that will lead you through a diversity of habitats: Rainforest, Cloud Forests and lowland tropical forests.

With such diverse habitats all in one area, you’ll have countless opportunities for wildlife spotting including howler monkeys, sloths, toucans and various species of birds and butterflies.

With your private Nature Guide, make your way through this protected area of lush forest.

Then, the Río Celeste’s striking turquoise colour will come into view, and you’ll know why you made the journey.

The Río Celeste is where nature comes to paint. The journey culminates at the Río Celeste waterfall — a stunning encounter with a natural wonder.

Note: Tenorio National Park offers hiking trails of varying difficulty levels. The round-trip hike is 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) and takes approximately 30 minutes from the park entrance to the Río Celeste waterfall.

Costa Rica is paradise on earth, with abundant wildlife, smoking volcanoes, and an endless array of cascading waterfalls. While the country boasts hundreds of breathtaking waterfalls, Rio Celeste, nestled in the northwest corner of the country, is one of the most famous- and for good reason!

Tucked away in an impossibly lush rainforest, it’s known for its shocking electric blue water cascading down a cliff into a pool 90 meters (295 ft) below. So if you’re looking to see one of Costa Rica’s best displays of otherworldly beauty, buckle up- here’s everything you need to know about visiting Rio Celeste.