Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano ticket: Turquoise river

Walk into the turquoise: where two rivers meet and change color

A ticket to Tenorio Volcano National Park gives you access to the Celeste River trail, a 3-hour walk through rainforest to a 30-meter turquoise waterfall and the natural phenomenon of El Teñidero, where two crystalline rivers cross mineral-rich rock and shift from clear to bright blue. Entry and all taxes are included. A guide is optional.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Rio Celeste Waterfall and Park

• Enter Tenorio Volcano National Park
• Hike through lush forest trail
• Observe wildlife like toucans and monkeys
• Visit small lake along trail
• See Rio Celeste waterfall
• Witness color change at El Teñidero

The experience

The Celeste River sits in the Guanacaste Volcanic Mountain Range, surrounded by rainforest that shelters toucans, monkeys, tapirs and toatis. The trail itself is the route: you walk through the forest, spot wildlife along the way, and arrive at a waterfall that photographs turquoise because of minerals in the water, not because of any trick. The real draw is El Teñidero, the spot where two separate rivers (one clear, one carrying minerals from the volcanic rock) meet and visibly change color as they merge.

The walk takes about three hours total. Along the trail you'll pass a small lake where animals gather to drink, and the forest canopy keeps things cool. The waterfall itself is 30 meters high and sits in the middle of the path, so you don't have to leave the main route to see it. At the end of the trail, El Teñidero is where the color shift happens: you can stand at the exact point where the two rivers cross the rock and watch the water turn from transparent to light blue.

All park fees and taxes are built into the ticket price. You can walk the trail on your own or add a guide at checkout if you want someone to point out wildlife and explain the geology. Either way, the route is marked and the walk is suitable for most fitness levels, though it's not recommended if you have spinal injuries or are pregnant.

What’s included

• Park entry and all fees and taxes.
• access to the Celeste River trail, the 30-meter waterfall and El Teñidero.
• a marked walking route through rainforest habitat.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day10 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 13:20

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Located 6 miles away from Bijagua de Upala, 10 miles away from San Rafael de Guatuso. From Liberia will be around 1.5 hours, from San José will be 3 hours. From La Fortuna, it will be around 90 minutes.”

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

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tico Paradise Costa Rica

Is this one for you?If you're staying in La Fortuna without a rental car, confirm the pickup and drop-off point at checkout. The ticket gets you into the park, but you'll need to arrange how you get there. A guide is optional, so solo walkers and groups can both book the same ticket and decide on the way in.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the Celeste River and why is it turquoise?

The Celeste River gets its turquoise color where two rivers meet at El Teñidero. One river carries minerals from the volcanic rock. When it crosses the other clear river, the mineral content causes the water to shift from transparent to bright blue. It's a natural phenomenon caused by geology, not algae or dye.

How long is the walk to the waterfall?

The trail takes about three hours total. You walk through rainforest, pass a small lake, reach the 30-meter waterfall in the middle of the path, and continue to El Teñidero at the end where the two rivers meet and change color.

What wildlife might I see on the trail?

The rainforest around the Celeste River is home to toucans, monkeys, tapirs and toatis. The small lake along the trail is a good spot to watch animals gather, though sightings depend on the time of day and season.

Is a guide included with the ticket?

A guide is optional and can be added at checkout. The trail is marked and walkable on your own, but a guide can point out wildlife and explain the volcanic geology that creates the color change.

What should I bring or wear for the walk?

Wear sturdy shoes with good grip for the forest trail and bring water. The rainforest canopy provides shade, but sun protection and insect repellent are useful. Food and drinks are not included, so pack what you'll need for three hours.