What makes Tenorio National Park a unique hiking destination?

Tenorio National Park offers an unparalleled hiking experience through raw rainforest and cloud forests, featuring the active Tenorio Volcano, the stunning turquoise Rio Celeste, and its 300-foot cascading waterfall.

What is the "teniderios" phenomenon at Rio Celeste?

The "teniderios" is a natural phenomenon within Rio Celeste where the confluence of two brown tributaries, rich in naturally occurring volcanic minerals, magically transforms the river into a vibrant, celestial blue.

Is there a specific tour for the Celeste River and Tenorio National Park?

Yes, a special guided hiking tour, "Celeste River and Tenorio National Park Hike," is available exclusively for guests staying at the Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel, commencing from the hotel’s reception area.

Tenorio National Park & Rio Celeste Tours

Tenorio and Rio Celeste Tours

Good to Know

Discover the raw beauty of Tenorio National Park, home to the mesmerizing turquoise Rio Celeste and its impressive 300-foot waterfall. Hike rugged trails through unspoiled rainforest and cloud forests, ascending the Tenorio Volcano to witness the unique "teniderios" phenomenon where volcanic minerals transform river waters into a vibrant blue. This Costa Rican gem offers an unparalleled hiking adventure amidst diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife. A special guided tour, "Celeste River and Tenorio National Park Hike," is exclusively available for guests of the Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel.

The pure, raw rainforest at Tenorio National Park with the amazingly turquoise waters of the Rio Celeste and its 300 ft cascading waterfall provide the ultimate Costa Rican hiking experience. The park protects the active Tenorio Volcano summit but hikers can explore the unspoiled surrounding jungle on rugged trails on their quest to see the celestial blue waterfall. Beyond the falls following the winding blue-green river, a confluence of two brown tributaries turns into a single magically blue ribbon before your very eyes. This is the “teniderios” where the naturally occurring volcanic minerals found in the two rivers join, creating an amazing phenomenon. Combined with the cooler elevations hiking up the 6,000 foot volcano, cloud forests appear and within them, ever changing ecosystems supporting a number of wild cats, including the jaguar and cougar, typically only seen at night while monkeys abound in the daytime. A diamond in the rough!

Celeste River and Tenorio National Park Hike

Bijagua and Tenorio

One of the natural wonders of Costa Rica is the brilliant blue waters at Rio Celeste. This is a special guided hiking tour only for guests staying at the Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel. It begins at the hotel’s reception area where you will meet your guide who will take you into Tenorio National Park. After a short upwards hike, you will see the beautiful 300-foot Rio Celeste Waterfall cascading into a turquoise pool. There are 250 well-constructed steps with a handrail you can take down to an observation platform located next to the falls for amazing photos. After coming back up the steps, you’ll catch your breath before resuming your hike along the natural trails in the rainforest. You will take short rests at several more observation platforms until you reach the end of the trail to see the two mineral-rich rivers join turning their brown waters into one bright blue river. You’ll pause for a provided fruit snack before returning to the park entrance. This 4 to 5 hour moderate hiking tour includes a bilingual guide, park entrance, and a fruit snack. It is available only for guests staying at the adjacent Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel, therefore transportation is NOT necessary. Please wear fully enclosed hiking shoes as the trail can become muddy during the wetter months. Long pants and long sleeve lightweight clothing are recommended along with bug repellent, bottled water, rain gear, camera, and binoculars.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Tenorio National Park a unique hiking destination?: Tenorio National Park offers an unparalleled hiking experience through raw rainforest and cloud forests, featuring the active Tenorio Volcano, the stunning turquoise Rio Celeste, and its 300-foot cascading waterfall.
What is the "teniderios" phenomenon at Rio Celeste?: The "teniderios" is a natural phenomenon within Rio Celeste where the confluence of two brown tributaries, rich in naturally occurring volcanic minerals, magically transforms the river into a vibrant, celestial blue.
Is there a specific tour for the Celeste River and Tenorio National Park?: Yes, a special guided hiking tour, "Celeste River and Tenorio National Park Hike," is available exclusively for guests staying at the Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel, commencing from the hotel’s reception area.