Rio Celeste Full-Day Hike: Blue Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano
Description
On this tour you will go to the Tenorio Volcano National Park. In this park you will witness the rare phenomena of the blue river. The hike itself is medium tough and takes about 4 hours. It takes you to the stunningly beautiful waterfall, a high lookout point and the place where you can see the river change color. After the hike you will enjoy lunch and have some free time to take a quick dip in the river before heading back to La Fortuna.
Tour Options
Itinerary
You'll then engage in a 4-hour hike that is a bit tough for some but the end result is definitely worth it. After your 4-hour hike you'll get to the Rio Celeste (Blue River). The blue color you'll see is the result of a chemical reaction between two merging rivers containing different volcanic minerals. It's a very rare phenomenon which creates a fairy-tale-like beauty. You'll get to see a waterfall, a lookout point that's great for taking pictures and you'll also get to see the place where the river changes colors.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Please contact us for have an exact pick up time in your hotel If you have a Airbnb we need a reference point for the pick up (Restaurant o supermarket close to the place) If your hotel or Airbnb is not in the pick up area you need come to our office in la Fortuna bus terminal at the time of the tour
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Vegetarian option is available
- 4-hour medium-tough hike is involved
Reviews(524)
It was raining the day we went but we still had a wonderful hike! We saw two pit vipers and numerous birds. The water is very blue and the waterfall is amazing. We went in the off season so it wasn't too crowded, but heard it can get very crowded in the high season. You can't swim in the waterfall anymore.
Can’t say enough about Santiago’s expertise and patience. Our family of 5 (daughters 13, 11, 6) had a great hike, learned a ton, saw so much wildlife, and had a delicious Casado lunch. 1000/10 experience all around. I would listen to Santiago share his knowledge every day! The only thing that I would share is that the portions of the drive without Santiago in the car were a bit terrifying. We are used to Costa Rica roads and driving (having been here the past 4 weeks), but it was next level nerve-wracking. My daughter got sick and even my hearty husband (who is fearless) was surprised at the speed and recklessness, especially on the speed bumps (topes). Maybe it was just an off day for us and the driver?! However, he did drive much safer when Santiago was aboard the van. Overall, I wouldn’t negatively judge this tour off of one experience and I’d wholeheartedly do this tour again, even with an interesting driving situation.
We enjoyed our Rio Celeste Full-Day Hike of the Blue Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano despite having to hike tough trails in the rain. Our guide, Annie, was amazing and kept everyone on track, but also helped those of us who needed assistance getting up and down some of the steeper areas. The lunch at a nearby restaurant was delicious, and we enjoyed a quick swim in the river as well.
Absolutely magical. This was the day I was most looking forward to on the trip and it did not disappoint. There was a mixup with picking me up at my hotel but the tour company worked to resolve the issue quickly and Marcos saved the day to drive me to meet up with the tour group right before they entered the national park. The hike was challenging but incredible. We were lucky to go on a day with little rain so the blue water was really visible- it felt like I was witnessing magic. Our guide, Anna, was really funny, knowledgeable and passionate about nature. I really liked the group of people I was touring with that day- it was cool to hear their stories. The lunch was really delicious and it was nice to sit back and relax on the ride back to La Fortuna- especially after a rather physical hike. It was an absolutely incredible day, I was all smiles when I got back to my hotel.
Did the volcano, waterfall and hot springs tour with Red Lava and we just had to book with them again for our Rio Celeste tour. Our guide, Juan Carlos, was informative and patient, always allowing us time to look at animals and explain ro us some super cool biology! We started off bright and early with a 1h30 min bus ride, until we stopped at one of the oldest trees in CR (el Árbol de la Paz). We then continued and started the tour where we got to see the lagoon, the top of Volcano Tenorio, and finally the Rio Celeste waterfall. We came during rainy season but it was still so worth it due to the wild life we got to see (many frogs, snakes, lizards. geckos, butterflies and even a sleeping owl!) As for the water, it wasn’t as Celeste as it could be due to the cloudiness and rain showers from the night before, but it was still super pretty and clear and definitely a fun hike overall! (The whole hike was about 4 hours). We then went for a delicious Costa Rican lunch and then finally were brought to a lower part of the rio Celeste where we could swim. At this point the sun came out and we saw the Celeste colour even more. Overall an amazing and fulfilling day, 10/10!
Fantastic experience!! The tour operator was very communicative ahead of our pickup from our hotel, and the driver was very nice. Our guide, Santiago, was amazing! He was so knowledgable and spotted so many cool animals for us to look at. He was also great about keeping us safe. Lunch was delicious, and the overall experience was something I would recommend to anyone!
This experience was incredible and very informative Santiago was one of my favourite guides to have show us around and explain all the incredible things around us in Costa Rica 10/10 I would come back and do it again. Ray and Emily.
Santiago, our guide, made the hectic trip fun, informative and memorable. He was patient and helpful all the way.
This tour was the highlight of my entire trip and I could not possibly recommend it more. The guides Santiago, Annie, and William were hands down the kindest, most passionate, and most authentic tour guides I have ever met. From start to finish this tour was filled with extra details that just enriched the experience in every way. From stopping at a bakery in Santiago's home town, to seeing one of Costa Rica's oldest trees, hiking the entire trail at Tenorio, the guides spotting wildlife with ease and taking the time to make sure everyone saw them too, swimming in a locally known spot, to stopping whenever more wildlife was spotted along the way; this tour truly had it all. If Pura Vida could be personified into an experience, this would be that experience. I loved how it never felt rushed, there was always time for pictures, breaks, or to just soak up the views. Seriously I cannot recommend this company enough. In fact, the only regret of my entire trip was not booking every tour through Red Lava Tours, that's how good this tour was. If you are looking for an authentic, emersive Costa Rican experience then this is your tour.
This tour was the highlight of my entire trip and I could not possibly recommend it more. The guides Santiago, Annie, and William were hands down the kindest, most passionate, and most authentic tour guides I have ever met. From start to finish this tour was filled with extra details that just enriched the experience in every way. From stopping at a bakery in Santiago's home town, to seeing one of Costa Rica's oldest trees, hiking the entire trail at Tenorio, the guides spotting wildlife with ease and taking the time to make sure everyone saw them too, swimming in a locally known spot, to stopping whenever more wildlife was spotted along the way; this tour truly had it all. If Pura Vida could be personified into an experience, this would be that experience. I loved how it never felt rushed, there was always time for pictures, breaks, or to just soak up the views. Seriously I cannot recommend this company enough. In fact, the only regret of my entire trip was not booking every tour through Red Lava Tours, that's how good this tour was. If you are looking for an authentic, emersive Costa Rican experience then this is your tour.
