Katie N.
Unfortunately it was rainy so the water was brown but our guide made the most of it and we found some animals to view. The lunch was fabulous.
Costa Rica · Your next adventure
Rio Celeste Rainforest Hike to the Magical Blue Waterfall
Your experience
Good to Know
Embark on a captivating trekking adventure to Costa Rica's Rio Celeste Waterfall, famed for its mesmerizing electric-blue waters, nestled deep within Tenorio National Park. This moderate rainforest hike culminates in a challenging descent of 526 steep steps to witness the magnificent turquoise falls. The full-day tour from La Fortuna includes round-trip transportation, a bilingual naturalist guide, park entrance fees, and lunch. Please note that swimming is strictly prohibited, and a zero-plastic policy requires guests to bring a reusable water bottle.
The Rio Celeste Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world! Imagine yourself in front of a turquoise blue waterfall surrounded by lush, emerald green jungle.
The tour starts off when you are picked up from your La Fortuna area hotel. The ride to the Rio Celeste takes about 2 to 2.5 hours and takes you through rural countryside that few tourists have the opportunity to see. You will pass through small villages, farm lands and forest.
When you reach the Tenorio National Park your guide will lead you on a hike through the jungle, always looking for wildlife. While this is not exactly a wildlife hike, you may have the opportunity to see animals such as white faced monkeys, sloths, agouti, peccaries, and many species of birds including hummingbirds, trogons, motmots and much more.
The hike will be on partially groomed trails that are often muddy. Eventually you will reach the waterfall trail which requires several hundred steep steps down to the observation platform. As you make your way down, the incredibly beautiful waterfall begins to come in to view.
Local legend has it that when God finished painting the sky he dipped his brush in the river. The more scientific version involves the volcanic minerals found in two rivers that merge creating the Rio Celeste and the Kool Aid blue color. Regardless, this truly is a magical place of unsurpassed beauty.
After observing the river and waterfall, there will be a little more hiking and remember that you will have to climb back up several hundred steep steps. This is not an easy hike, so participants should be in good physical condition and be prepared to get muddy.
After the hike you will drive back through the countryside and eventually be returned to your hotel. Including round trip transfers, the tour is expected to last a total of around 8 – 9 hours, though this is subject to change. This fun filled full day adventure includes transportation, bilingual naturalist guide, park entrance fee, and lunch.
Highlights
- Hike through the jungle in Tenorio National Park
- Visit one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world
This supplier maintains a zero-plastic policy, so no water bottles will be offered, only a refrigerated water dispenser for visitors to refill their own reusable bottles. You cannot swim beneath the waterfall or in the national park.
What to Bring
Hiking shoes, clothes that can get wet, water, change of clothes, camera, rain gear, reusable water bottle.
Includes
Transportation, bilingual naturalist guide, park entrance and lunch. This supplier maintains a zero-plastic policy, so no water bottles will be offered, only a refrigerated water dispenser for visitors to refill their own reusable bottles.
Location and Availability
Available in: Arenal, Arenal Zone 2, Arenal Zone 3, Nuevo Arenal, Chachagua Rainforest Hotel
Tour space is generally available when requested more than two days in advance and remains subject to confirmation.
Tour Times
08:00
Tour Type
- Nature
- Learning/Family
- Hiking
- Wildlife Hike
- Waterfalls
Explore the location on the map
Location
Latitude: N 10° 39' 26.04" (10.657234)
Longitude: W 84° 58' 5.11" (-84.968086)
Recent Reviews
Overall
94%
Expectations
92%
Experience
93%
Guides
92%
Logistics
92%
Value
92%
Michelle H.
Andre was wonderful! We enjoyed spending the day with him and the extra effort he put in to making our day memorable
Grace T.
Orlando tried hard to find interesting sites along the hike, but there was a bit of mud and not as many wildlife to view. the waterfalls and site were nice. What made the trip great was he found sloths and toucans on the drive back and we got some of the best views of the trip of them. we also got see Arenol volcano on the drive back, and he pulled over to let us take some memorable photos.
Joao D.
On time, Guide very good. Hike was good but a lot of rain.
Brennan W.
Again, our guide, Christian was fantastic. Would do it again!
Vanessa B.
Excellent tour. Best one so far. Although this was some distance away it was worth it
Vern R.
The guide was great and very patient and knowledgeable. I marked this experience down because it was pouring rain when we got to the waterfall. I was hoping to get better pictures of the waterfall. This is nobody's fault, but this is the only time when I felt the weather impacted our trip.
Nicole S.
The rain put a damper on the experience. The waterfall was pretty however the water was muddy and not blue. The guide was exceptional, stopped to show us sloths as well as take pictures. He also was a very informative in talking about the country and where we were on our drive. The food at the cafe after was really good too. T
This is a great trip, go as early as you can as it is quieter and you will see more, and the trail will be easier. Lots of wildlife on this hike. Snakes, Monkeys, Coatis and birds.
Katherine Z.
Hike was slightly more difficult than expected.
Alexandra K.
The english of the guide was sufficient, but could have been better.
Jean M.
What a beautiful place. Nothing like it anywhere else I have been. Lunch at the SODA was yummy.
Renee P.
The guide and hike were great but very crowded.
We had a beautiful day with no rain. I work out and am in fairly good shape, but was winded by some of those climbs! Gorgeous views and a picture that screams Costa Rica for every travel brochure.
Great hiking & waterfall
Christina L.
Incredible!
Ana V.
The tour was amazing. Be ready to put on some comfortable and reliable shoes, the hike is a challenge but worth doing once you see the amazing waterfall and the blue lagoon. Very enjoyable hike.
Angela S.
We were not aware we couldn't get in the water but we shouldve researched more. It was still a wonderful experience that was worth the hike.
Tiffany S.
This hike was beautiful!
Bill K.
The walk down to and back up from the waterfall is fairly strenuous. Anyway, the guide was superb and we all had fun!
Kristen L.
The national park had a restriction on the number of people and overall it made for a very enjoyable experience. The hike/stairs are not easy but very beautiful.
Ryan M.
Some translation issues but overall a wonderful experience. Luckily I travel with a translator:)
Bryce W.
The day was a little rainy, but the hike was awesome. It wasn't a very challenging hike overall, but our guide made it enjoyable for everyone. The waterfall is a must see.
Peter T.
The tour was fine. We where a little surprised at the difficulty in the hike. We did finish but for us it was a hard walk.
Jay L.
Nice Hike
Yocheved T.
Our guide was great! He waited and made a lot of stops for me.
Venkatesh P.
There is no guidance how steep down and up the hill in the hike and there is no bathrooms in reasonable distance. It was very inconvenience in hiking due to steep up hill.
Kelly M.
This tour was amazing. Our tour guide, Pierre and driver Tonio went above and beyond to make our experience special. We stopped multiple times for animal sightings which we loved and we learned so much on the hike.
Machaela P.
Was a little disappointed that you couldn't get closer or swim or wade in the water and only one waterfall. Ride was a little long.
Sunil M.
This hike is 1.5 hours each way from the resort. Surely there are good hikes closer to the resort?
Anacani G.
Great experience, the tour guide was very nice and knowledgeable.
Norbert S.
I saw a great amount of varied wildlife during this tour and the beautiful Rio Celeste. My only compliant is that I was hoping for a longer hike.
Jenna B.
Awesome day. Lots of animals, good exercise and beautiful waters! Pretty buggy though, recommend bug spray!
Nyssa H.
Same tour guide as the hanging bridges. She was fantastic again! Great lunch afterwards too!
Julie B.
This excursion and hike was great! It is so Beautiful and our guide was fantastic. My niece had a bit of trouble with the hike and he actually stayed right with her and helped her throughout the entire hike.
Jacqui M.
This was a nice little hike through a lot of mud and a lot of stairs to get down to the viewing area. I would not recommend this to people who don't like hiking/ walking through mud or those who don't like bugs! The water fall was absolutely amazing and the blue water was so BLUE! Our guide was very informative and brought us each a walking stick! We sure did make good friends with those sticks through all the mud! The trail can definitely get a little crowded too.
Neha D.
This was the best waterfall ever. I think there could have been a warning about slush and to wear boots.
Paul R.
Sadie was fabulous on a beautiful tour.
Francisco G.
The park trail was more crowded than we expected
Joanne L.
Our guide Joe was great! And he was soo insightful!
Alicia Y.
This was my favorite part of the trip. Our guide was wonderful and we had a blast.
Katie S.
It was cloudy so it wasn't as exactly expected, but we had an adventure and it was great. Seyris and William did an amazing job! Seyris was the best guide of the trip!
Aaron S.
It was great! Loved seeing the country side. Loved the meal at the end. Tour guide was great. Really good excursion.
Kim S.
little disappointed we took an early morning tour didn't realize we wouldn't see the beautiful color because the sun hadn't had time to mix it up. didn't get to swim in the hot springs that was advertised,
Meg R.
A longer hike that may require a quick break before making it to the blue lagoon - we needed one! haha It truly is beautiful - the waterfall, lagoon, and area where the two rivers join are must-sees. Our guide Pedro and driver Antonio were FANTASTIC -- so fun, chatty and friendly, they made the experience for us.
Carolyn C.
We had a wonderful local lunch. We ordered on our way to the Park, on return the order was ready. Nice stop! Owner even sang and played the Mirimba for us!
Toni D.
Absolutely beautiful!!! Seyris was a great tour guide. The hike is long and a lot of stairs, but we knew that ahead of time and it was so worth it. Unforgettable beauty!
Ana F.
There was a very young tourist in the group who kep getting ahead of us and rushing the whole experience, the guide did his best to keep up with all of us. Lunch was fair.
Ann D.
It was a rainy day so that made for a lot of sliding around in the mud. It is actually quite a busy hike, with lots of people. The guide was super, very knowledgeable and friendly. We loved the beauty and the lunch after was very special. The food was really good, the drinks were awesome, and the local music was a very nice touch.
Sandy G.
Terrific Guide. Delicious lunch. Lucked out and had only 4 people for the tour.
Barbara C.
Yareni and Ronald were the best! I would do this hike again and again. Perfect and exactly what I expected.
Everything was great!!
This was worth the long ride from our hotel, very enjoyable hike, even is spite of (or maybe because of) the rain. Rain gear, good socks, and dry clothes to change into were essential, as we were absolutely soaked by heavy rain on this hike.
Very muddy, difficult hike. We did the hike on a Sunday and it was very busy. Rio Celeste was very nice but I wouldn't do that hike again....we were sore for days afterwards.
Call us if you want to see more reviews.
Before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Rio Celeste Waterfall unique?
The Rio Celeste Waterfall is renowned for its mesmerizing electric-blue waters, a surreal spectacle created by volcanic minerals merging in two rivers. Local legend attributes its vibrant color to God dipping his brush in the river after painting the sky.
What is the difficulty level and duration of the Rio Celeste hike?
The Rio Celeste hike is considered moderate, involving a trek through the rainforest and a physically demanding descent and ascent of 526 steep steps to the waterfall's base. The full tour, including transfers from La Fortuna, lasts approximately 8-9 hours.
What is included in the Rio Celeste Waterfall tour?
The tour includes round-trip transportation from your La Fortuna area hotel, a bilingual naturalist guide, park entrance fees, and lunch. A refrigerated water dispenser is available for refilling reusable bottles, aligning with the zero-plastic policy.
Are there any restrictions or specific items to bring for the Rio Celeste hike?
Swimming is strictly prohibited within Tenorio National Park. Visitors must bring a reusable water bottle, as single-use plastics are not allowed. Essential items include hiking shoes, clothes that can get wet, a change of clothes, a camera, and rain gear.
The people behind your vacation
Personal service from Pacific Trade Winds
- Highly trained Costa Rica vacation specialists
- Personal customer service and concierge services at the highest level
- TripAdvisor Hall of Fame recognition for service
- Ranked #1 in its TripAdvisor category
Make this tour part of your Costa Rica vacation
Request a vacation package including Rio Celeste Rainforest Hike to the Magical Blue Waterfall.
Related Costa Rica Travel Planning
- Explore Arenal ToursBrowse the established tour guide for Arenal.
- Explore Arenal HotelsBrowse the established hotel guide for Arenal.
- Explore Nuevo Arenal ToursBrowse the established tour guide for Nuevo Arenal.
- Explore Nuevo Arenal HotelsBrowse the established hotel guide for Nuevo Arenal.
- Explore La Fortuna and Arenal VolcanoRead the destination guide for La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano.
- Explore Costa Rica vacation packagesExplore vacation styles and itineraries for your Costa Rica trip.
- Plan a custom Costa Rica vacationTell Pacific Trade Winds what you would like to include in your vacation.