Rio Celeste Rainforest Hike: Waterfall & Rainforest Walk

Three hours through primary rainforest to a turquoise waterfall, volcanic hot springs and boiling river gases

Rio Celeste rainforest hike from Guanacaste is an eight- to nine-hour guided tour through Tenorio Volcano National Park, where you walk three hours to reach the river's distinctive blue water, a waterfall, natural hot springs and volcanic fumaroles. The tour includes a naturalist guide in English or Spanish, lunch, bottled water and transportation by air-conditioned minivan from your hotel. Children from age eight are welcome, and the hike suits anyone with moderate fitness.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hike Rio Celeste in rainforest

• Arrive at Tenorio Volcano National Park
• Start hike through humid rainforest
• Observe diverse flora and fauna
• Visit Rio Celeste waterfall
• See hot springs and fumaroles
• View "Borbollones" boiling water effect

The experience

Rio Celeste sits inside Tenorio Volcano National Park, a primary humid rainforest that stays largely undiscovered by mass tourism. The three-hour hike passes through dense flora and fauna: tapirs, wild cats, howler monkeys, toucans, amphibians and reptiles appear regularly in this ecosystem. Your naturalist guide leads you to the river's striking turquoise coloration, where the water meets a waterfall. Along the way you'll see hot water springs (swimming is not permitted by park rules), fumaroles that expel volcanic gases at temperatures up to 1500°F, and the Borbollones: spots where exhaust gases at the river's base create the appearance of boiling water.

The full day runs eight to nine hours from pickup at your hotel in Guanacaste. Transportation in an air-conditioned minivan gets you to the park entrance, where the hike begins. Lunch and bottled water are included, along with a water bottle to take with you. The pace suits hikers or anyone who loves the outdoors and has at least moderate physical fitness. The terrain is rainforest floor with elevation change, not technical climbing.

What’s included

• Naturalist guide in English or Spanish.
• lunch and bottled water.
• water bottle to keep.
• transportation by air-conditioned minivan with hotel pickup from Guanacaste.
• park entry.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:45

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (8 to 12 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Jacamar Naturalist Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this hike if you have moderate fitness and want to walk through primary rainforest to see a river, waterfall and volcanic features in a single morning, with the afternoon free after lunch. The three-hour hike is the core of the day. The rest is travel and rest time.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 12 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

What is Rio Celeste and why is the water that color?

Rio Celeste is a river inside Tenorio Volcano National Park in Costa Rica's Guanacaste region. The water appears bright turquoise because of fine mineral particles suspended in it: a natural optical effect from the volcanic geology of the area. The river is one of Costa Rica's most scenic waterways.

How long is the actual hike and what is the fitness level required?

The hike itself takes three hours through rainforest terrain. You need at least moderate physical fitness to complete it. The trail involves elevation changes and walking on forest floor, but it is not technical climbing. The full tour, including transportation and lunch, runs eight to nine hours.

What wildlife might I see during the hike?

The rainforest ecosystem is home to tapirs, wild cats, howler monkeys, toucans, and a wide variety of amphibians and reptiles. Fauna sightings depend on the time of day and season, but the biodiversity of Tenorio is high.

Is swimming allowed in Rio Celeste or the hot springs?

Swimming is not permitted in Rio Celeste or the hot springs by park administrative rules. You can view and photograph the turquoise water, waterfall and thermal features, but water entry is restricted.